The 2026 College Academic Scholarship Application window is open from Dec 3, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026.
AWGA Legacy Scholarship
The AWGA Legacy Scholarship is carrying on the tradition of the Arizona Women’s Golf Association, giving back to junior girls’ golf in Arizona. The scholarships will be awarded to JGAA members/ Build A Team members. The AWGA Legacy Scholarship can be renewed annually by the recipients up to 3 times.
JGAA Founder’s Scholarship
The JGAA Founders Scholarship is named after three “Life Thunderbirds” who helped organize the JGAA in 1983: Payne Palmer, Phil Edlund, and Tom Hornaday, along with AZ Golf Association Executive Director at the time, John Riggle, incorporated the JGAA in 1983, after seeing the success of the San Diego Junior Golf Association. The JGAA organization was formally launched in 1986 at the Phoenix Open, now known as the WM Phoenix Open. The JGAA Founders Scholarship will be awarded one time annually.
Keck Strong Scholarship
The Keck Strong Scholarship is named after Jeremy Keck, funded with proceeds from the annual Keck Strong Fundraiser. Jeremy Keck was a beloved son, brother, husband, and father whose life was tragically cut short when he passed away suddenly on September 2, 2020, at the age of 37. Jeremy, the son of Jeff and Terri Keck, was born with a complex congenital heart defect and underwent his first open-heart surgery at 4 months old. Throughout his childhood, he endured numerous surgeries, procedures, and hospital stays, and the game of golf became an outlet for him. Jeremy picked up a golf club at the age of 6 and never looked back. The game of golf profoundly impacted him, creating a special place in his heart and purpose in life. Throughout his teenage years, Jeremy participated in many JGAA and AJGA events which helped him develop a skill set to become a scratch golfer focusing on an excellent short game. The Keck Strong Scholarship will awarded one time annually.
Andrew McLaren One Putt Scholarship
The JGAA Andrew McLaren One Putt Scholarship is named after JGAA Alum Andrew McLaren who passed away in November 2024. The game of golf was Andrew’s greatest passion. It combined many things he loved: being outside, good exercise, sportsmanship, spending quality time with friends, and always improving his game. Andrew had a great reverence for the history and traditions of golf and was a fierce competitor.
His fellow golfers nicknamed Andrew “One Putt” because of his skill and determination. From his participation in the Southwest PGA Junior Prep Tour, JGAA and AJGA, playing on the Arcadia High School and the University of St. Andrews golf teams, being an assistant golf coach for AZ Special Olympics, volunteering with the First Tee to becoming a PGA professional; the golf course was a sanctuary for Andrew.
Andrew was a beloved husband, son, family member, and a great friend to many. The Andrew McLaren “One Putt” Scholarship Fund’s mission is to help Arizona boys participate and grow as individuals on their high school golf teams and … to learn to love and benefit from golf as much as Andrew did in his life. The Andrew McLaren One Putt Scholarship will be awarded one time annually.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NEEDED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION::
- Transcript from High School (would include GPA, SAT or ACT test scores)
- Essay Describing “How has golf has made a difference in your life?”
- Parental Financial Information
- Letter of Recommendation from a PGA or LPGA Professional OR a high school teacher, coach or counselor
- Anticipated Resources or aid for 2026-2027 academic year
- Anticipated Cost of Attendance for 2026-2027 academic year
