2018 Ann Griffel Scholarship Winners Announced
The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of the Ann Griffel Scholarship Award (Griffel is pictured above in sport coat). Casey Noble, Alisha Ford, Molly Carey, Bailee Frayne and Robyn Stillmunkes will receive a one year scholarship of $2,000. These girls will join a group of 228 other students to have received this award since 1963.
Casey Noble is the daughter of Scott and Tammy Noble. She is a graduate of New London High School and plans on attending Mount Mercy University. She intends to study Accounting while in college.
“Thank you to the Ann Griffel committee for selecting me for this honor,” Noble said. “The game of golf has always been a big part of my life and to be able to play golf in college along with earning a golf scholarship is a dream come true. I hope to be a role model for young golfers in the future as it is also my dream to become a high school golf coach.”
Molly Carey is the daughter of Jeff and Kim Carey. She is a graduate of Van Meter High School and will attend Graceland University this fall. She plans on majoring in Mathematics.
“I couldn’t have been more excited when I received the text notifying me about being selected for this scholarship while I was playing golf with my family,” Carey said. “It is such an honor for me to receive a golf scholarship in general and even more incredible to get this one! Thank you so much, and I look forward to attending the banquet with my family.”
Bailee Frayne is the daughter of Bryan and Cheila Frayne. She is a graduate of Garner Hayfield Ventura High School and will be attending William Penn University to study Elementary Education this fall.
“It is such an honor to be chosen as one of the recipients of the Ann Griffel Scholarship,” Frayne said. “I admire the work Ann did in promoting the game of golf and her focus on women in golf especially. I hope to do my part in continuing to promote the sport and represent the Ann Griffel Scholarship the best way I know how. I am very grateful to have been selected.”
Robyn Stillmunkes is the daughter of Randy and Renee Stillmunkes. She is a graduate of Bellevue High School and will attend the University of Iowa to study Human Health and Physiology (Pre-Med) this fall.
“Being selected for this scholarship is a huge honor,” Stillmunkes said. “I have always loved golf but I never thought I would get a scholarship for doing something I love. I appreciate this opportunity and I am very excited to be attending the University of Iowa next year. I want to thank the Ann Griffel Scholarship Committee for helping me achieve my goals of pursuing higher education.”
Alisha Ford is the daughter of Anita and Tom Ford. She is a graduate of Grinnell High School. She will be attending Wartburg College in the fall. At the time of this release she was undecided on an area of study in college.
“It’s truly an honor to be selected as an Ann Griffel scholarship recipient,” Ford said. “I am thankful that I had the opportunity to play and achieve many great things playing the game of golf. Golf has influenced me as a person by giving me confidence in my abilities and teaching me to persevere during tough times. It taught me how to work hard for something that I want, which has built my character. I am so grateful for all of the people who encouraged me in my love for the game and believed that I could and will continue to achieve my goals. I can’t wait to be on the Wartburg College golf team next year and continue playing the game I love.”
The Ann Griffel Scholarship was established in 1963. It originated as just one $350 scholarship awarded by the Iowa Women’s Golf Association (IWGA) and has evolved into a $2,000 scholarship awarded to multiple high school senior girls who intend to further their education at an Iowa institution of higher learning, whether a college, university or trade school.
The Iowa Golf Association Foundation (IGAF) was established to preserve the game and develop more programs to promote the future of golf in Iowa. The IGAF awards the Ann Griffel scholarship each year. This scholarship was named after the long time IWGA President, Ann Griffel, who during her 23 year term started the Girls’ State Junior, Forever 39, State Wife-Husband and Senior Women’s Championships.
The Iowa Golf Association serves as the governing body of golf for the state of Iowa. Run by amateur golfers the IGA provides a variety of programs and services that benefit everyone who plays the game
Anne Gradoville is the daughter of Bernard and Kathleen Gradoville. She is a graduate of Dowling Catholic High School and plans on attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall. While there she intends to study speech pathology. She will be representing the University of Northern Iowa as a member of their Women’s Golf team.
Johanna Vander Wilt is the daughter of David and Maggie Vander Wilt. She just graduated South Hardin High School in Eldora, IA. She will be attending Wartburg College in the fall and begin her studies in Elementary Education. She has also been asked to join Wartburg’s Women’s Golf team, be a manager for the volleyball team and tryout for a spot on the cheer team.
Abby Koch is the daughter of Ron and Mary Koch. She has completed her high school career at East High School is Sioux City, IA. In the fall she will attend Morningside College and pursue a degree in Graphic Design. Abby will also be continuing her golf career on the Morningside College Women’s Golf team.
Ann Hedlund is the daughter of Troy and Debra Hedlund. She attended Akron Westfield Senior High in Akron, IA. Ann has been accepted to Briar Cliff University, where she will pursue and education in Nursing. She will compete on the Briar Cliff Women’s Golf team this coming fall.
Beth Stolte graduated from Winterset High School in Winterset, IA this spring, and is attending Simpson College in the fall. At Simpson College, she intends to pursue a degree in Clinical Health Sciences. Beth will also be continuing her golf career as a member of Simpson’s Women’s Golf team.