SMASH GC LAUNCHES COMMUNITY IMPACT PROGRAM ‘SMASH FOR SUCCESS’
Junior Golf Scholarship and Mentor of the Year Award Headline Charitable Pillars
West Palm Beach, FL (February 6, 2024) – Following a pilot year in 2023, Smash GC today officially announced the launch of its community impact program, Smash for Success. Designed to empower young people through golf, the initiative is headlined by two new flagship pillars – the Smash for Success Scholarship and Mentor of the Year Award.
Smash for Success wields golf as a vehicle for personal growth with values like integrity, discipline, and respect taught through the sport that will consequently help build the character of each golfer. In its pilot year, Smash for Success built the foundation for its future by inviting local community junior golfers and coaches to attend each US-based LIV Golf event. Those invited came from under-represented communities and were given best-in-class exposure to the professional golf world. In total, over 75 kids and 15 junior golf coaches were hosted across eight events.
“This year, we’re pumped to be taking our community initiatives to the next level with our Smash for Success Scholarship and Mentor of the Year Award,” says Smash GC Captain Brooks Koepka. “We want every junior golfer to apply and know that we’re supporting them. We believe in inspiring the next generation of golfers and the people they will grow to become.”
The Smash for Success Scholarship will award a deserving student a college scholarship and will be presented the award at the LIV Golf Houston tournament in June. In recognition of those that dedicate their lives to supporting young futures, the Mentor of the Year Award honoree will be presented a prize and plaque at the LIV Golf Team Championship in September. Applications for both initiatives opened today, February 6th, and will extend through May 1, 2024.
“I wouldn't be here today without the help of so many, that’s why we’ve also made it a priority to recognize those mentors that go the extra mile,” says Koepka. “It’s important to every one of us on this team that we make a positive impact beyond what we can do on the golf course.”
To signify the launch of the program and new initiatives, Smash GC will go into the Las Vegas community later today to visit student athletes at Valley High School. Five-time major champion, Brooks Koepka, 2023 LIV Golf Player of the Year Talor Gooch, US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, and teammate Jason Kokrak will put on a life skills education session with the students, followed by an interactive golf activity. The Valley High School student athletes are also being honored as VIP guests on the first day of the LIV Golf Las Vegas tournament.
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About Smash for Success Scholarship
Candidates for the scholarship must have a minimum GPA of a 2.5 and must show outstanding leadership as an athlete, student and have participated in two seasons of golf. The following year, the scholarship student will be asked to speak to high school seniors hosted at the first US-based LIV Golf tournament in 2025.
About Mentor of the Year Award
The mentor serving as a coach, teacher, counselor or sponsor, gives guidance, advice, feedback and support to young people. Excellence in student mentoring is building a purposeful and personal relationship, serving as a role model and goes beyond standard classroom interaction. This advocate and ally facilitate the growth and development of a mentee with tools to be able to become a better version of themselves.
About Smash GC
Driven by the concept of GRIT – Greatness, Resilience, Impact, and Teamwork – Smash GC is a franchise built on the collective, fueled by its past, and dialed into its future. Led by five-time major champion, Brooks Koepka, 2023 LIV Golf Player of the Year Talor Gooch, US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, and Jason Kokrak, Smash GC is dedicated to impacting golf’s future both on and off the course.