Tee
off to support presidential scholars
By Steve
Carr
The
Bank of America / Larry Ahrens Golf Tournament, benefiting the
Presidential Scholarship Program (PSP) at UNM, will be held
Friday, June 20, at the UNM Championship Golf Course.
The
golf tournament is the most fun people can have helping to pay
college tuition, said Mary Wolford, development specialist.
In one day, the golf tournament raises $60,000, which
underwrites the scholarships of 30 Presidential Scholars for
an entire school year.
The
Presidential Scholarship Program keeps some of New Mexicos
most community-minded scholars in state for college. The golf
tournament plays a big part in making that possible, she
said.
Presidential
scholarships are offered exclusively to New Mexicos most
outstanding high school graduates, based on academic merit and
leadership skills. Scholarships go above and beyond the cost
of tuition paying for textbooks and other fees. Since
its inception, the PSP has offered tuition-free education to
more than 2,250 scholars, made possible by almost $8 million
in gifts from donors.
There are
approximately 450 scholars on campus this year representing
a wealth of ethnic backgrounds from across the state. This number
puts UNM, and New Mexico, among the national leaders in merit
scholarships.
The Presidential
Scholarship Program was established in 1976, based on an idea
proposed by then-Dean of Admissions Robert M. Weaver, who found
that many top-notch students were going out of state to school.
With the support of President William E. Bud Davis
and a kick-off dinner with state business leaders, Director
of Development Robert Lalicker raised $60,000 in 30 days to
start it.
For radio
deejay Larry Ahrens of 770 KKOB-AM, involvement with the program
started as a promotional stunt. When the UNM presidency was
suddenly left vacant in 1982, Ahrens began campaigning for the
position. Presumably interested in the job for its attendant
perks (good seats at the Pit and an impressive campus residence),
his slogan became, Send Larry to the Big House.
After a
few months, Ahrens ended it with a victory party at a local
hotel. Guests were charged $10 and the proceeds benefited the
program. All involved agreed that the event be held annually.
The next year it became a golf tournament, raising $12,000 with
65 golfers.
During
the past 20 years, the tournament has raised more than $750,000
and provides at least 30 Presidential Scholarships each year.
The 2002 event netted more than $50,000 in scholarship funds
and is the single biggest one-day fundraiser at UNM.
The tournament
format will be a 4-person Red-White-Blue scramble limited to
one A player (handicap of 9 or less), and a combined
handicap of each team of at least 43. Interested participants
may form their own team or be assigned to one, or play as an
individual or pair.
The tournament
will have two shotgun starts, 7:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Prizes
will be awarded for first through fifth place teams, a.m. and
p.m. flights, first through third place for womens teams,
skill as well as random drawings.
The entry
fee of $125 per player includes green fees, cart, range balls,
drinks, snacks, breakfast, lunch and a post-tournament awards
dinner.
For more
information call (505) 277-5688 or to register online visit
www.pspgolf.org.