DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Katie Kirk of East Carolina University has been selected as the recipient of the 2015 Dinah Shore Trophy. Kirk was presented the award on Monday, May 25 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, site of the Division I NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.
Administered by the LPGA Foundation, the Dinah Shore Trophy Award recognizes female collegiate golfers who excel in both academics (3.2 on a 4.0 scale) and athletics – playing in at least 50 percent of the team’s scheduled events – while maintaining a 78.00 or less scoring average. In addition, nominees must demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and community service.
A three time Women’s Golf Coaches Association Division I All-American All-Scholar, Kirk has devoted numerous hours to community service events including leading her team in community service activities to reach the goal of 30 hours per person per year. Some of her community service hours consisted of: Red Cross Blood Drives, Building Hope Organization, Elmhurst Elem. School-PE classes, American Cancer Soc. Relay for Life, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics athletic events, Charity golf tournaments and ECU Pirate Club booster events. Kirk graduates this year from East Carolina University with a Master of Science in Economic and Master of Arts in Mathematics and a 3.99 (undergrad) /4.0 (grad) grade point average.
Aside from excelling in the classroom and through community service, Kirk is accomplished on the course as well. Kirk competed as a member of the East Carolina University Golf Team starting lineup in every tournament during her four years on the team. She was named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team 2014 and recorded a scoring average of 75.33 for the 2014-2015 season.
The Dinah Shore Trophy Award is a joint effort between The LPGA Foundation, Friends of Golf (FOG) organization and the Kraft Nabisco Championship - one of the LPGA's four major championships and the largest contributor to the Dinah Shore Scholarship Fund. As part of the Dinah Shore Trophy Award, a $10,000 grant will be awarded to the University of Arkansas women’s golf program.
Former winners of this prestigious award include: University of Arkansas’ Emily Tubert (2014), Michigan State University alum Caroline Powers (2013), North Dakota State’s Amy Anderson (2012), University of California graduate Pia Halbig (2011), University of Central Florida alum and current Symetra Tour member Katie Detlefsen (2010), Duke University grad and LPGA Tour player Amanda Blumenherst (2008, 2009), University of Arkansas alumna and 2012 Rolex LPGA Player of the Year Stacy Lewis (2007), and the University of South Carolina's Erica Battle (2006).
The LPGA Foundation announced the Dinah Shore Scholarship Fund in March of 1994 in honor of the late Dinah Shore, Vanderbilt University graduate and an honorary member of the LPGA and LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. The Dinah Shore Trophy Award has contributed more than $174,000 to women's collegiate golf programs including this year.
About the contributing organizations Friends of Golf (FOG) is a fundraising organization founded and administered by Eddie Merrins, golf professional emeritus at Bel-Air Country Club in Beverly Hills, Calif. FOG contributes annually to collegiate, high school and junior golf programs throughout the country, and Dinah Shore was considered the “First Lady” of FOG.
A part of the LPGA Tour since 1972, the Kraft Nabisco Championship (now the ANA Championship) was designated as a major in 1983. Three-time champion Amy Alcott began a winner’s tradition of jumping into the lake at the 18
th hole after her victory in 1991. The event was called the Colgate Dinah Shore from 1972-81 and the Nabisco Dinah Shore from 1982-99. Dinah Shore’s legacy and heritage is preserved with the “Dinah Shore Walk of Champions” at the 18
th hole at Mission Hills Country Club. In addition, a statue of Dinah Shore, serving as the walk’s focal point, was created by noted sculptor George Montgomery, who was Shore’s former husband.
Established in 1991, The LPGA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental and humanitarian golf initiatives. Key funding priorities include: junior golf programs; scholarships and the Dolores Hope LPGA Financial Assistance Initiative for those in the golf industry. The LPGA Foundation is supported by corporate and private donations, foundation grants and contributions from LPGA members. For more information on how to contribute to The LPGA Foundation, please go to
www.lpgafoundation.com.
About the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association)
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing more than 30 different countries. With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Release appears courtesy of www.ecupirates.com