Rosie Jones turned her passion for competitive golf into a mentorship program for girl golfers
Program includes a high school invitational supported by several LPGA legends
Her trips don't include playing much anymore. A lot of times Rosie Jones hits the road without her clubs. Jones, who won 13 times on the LPGA Tour and was the kind of player Juli Inkster called "a bulldog," misses the competition. That's why you see her occasionally at Legends of the LPGA events. But three weeks shy of a 65th birthday, she has other priorities. "I just got back from the state (of South Carolina) high school championship where a girl I'm mentoring won by 11 shots," Jones said with as much joy in her voice as she had during her playing career. "High school golf might not seem like that big a deal, but when you see those girls competing and being part of a team, it means an awful lot to them."
WOMEN'S SOUTH CAROLINA GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES WSCGA VICKI HILLEN JGF ROSIE JONES MENTORING FUND
New Initiative Offers $2,000 Grants to Qualifying High School Girl Golfers
Columbia, SC, May 20, 2024 - The WSCGA Vicki Hillen Junior Golf Foundation announced that applications are available for Rosie Jones Mentoring Fund grants that will help prepare student-athletes for success on and off the course. The new program is the latest assistance offering from the 501c3 non-profit WSCGA Vicki Hillen JGF that is designed to help South Carolina's competitive girl golfers achieve their goals of playing in college and possibly beyond.
Applications are available via request from admin@wscga.org or at https://form.jotform.com/Wscga/2024-rosie-jones-mentoring-grant-ap. Deadline for submissions is June 10. This year's four mentees will be chosen by meeting criteria such as GPA and SC Jr. Golf Rank, recommendation from their coach, and a personal essay. Grantees will be notified on June 17. Mentors and mentees will be paired by June 30 for the six- to nine-month program.
According to the fund's founder LPGA and Legends Tour champion Rosie Jones,
"The program's mission is to create insightful learning opportunities and teach life lessons that will enhance our mentees' game while helping them become more effective players as well as positive, confident and productive adults."
In addition to 7-time Solheim Cup player and 2011 team captain Jones, the 2024 mentors are current and former collegiate women's golf coaches, tour members, and professional instructors. Among them are:
Nanci Bowen, Greenville, SC, LPGA veteran with one Major Championship
Kristi Coggins, Columbia, SC, retired USC Hall of Fame Head Women's Golf Coach
Krista Dunton, Hilton Head, SC, Futures Tour player, Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher
Betty Palmer, Charleston, SC, retired University of Alabama Head Women's Golf Coach
Angie Ridgeway, Spartanburg, SC, LPGA veteran, Wofford College Head Women's Golf Coach
The fund is supported by the net proceeds from the annual WSCGA Vicki Hillen JGF High School Invitational and Mentoring Weekend hosted by Jones, which features the state's 15 top-ranked teams and 12 individuals in a 36-hole, two-day competition at Moss Creek Golf Club in Hilton Head. The 2023 highlights included a mentoring dinner and morning clinic where players and coaches heard from LPGA Legends such as Hollis Stacy, Michelle McGann, Leta Lindley, Jackie Gallagher-Smith and Cathy Johnston-Forbes.
"This mentoring program is an unprecedented opportunity for South Carolina's promising junior girls to grow and learn under the tutelage of some great golfers and businesswomen," said Clarissa Childs, WSCGA's Executive Director and LPGA Legend. "Rosie's personal commitment to this initiative, coupled with the support of tournament sponsors and generosity of the Moss Creek community are nurturing the next generation of golfers and leaders."
WSCGA Vicki Hillen JGF, Jones, and Moss Creek will host this year's event on September 28 and 29. Sponsorships range from hole signs to overall presenting status. To become involved contact Jody Rolfe jrolfe702@gmail.com
Media Contacts:
Karen Moraghan kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
Allen Knight FourTwentyOneMedia@gmail.com
About the WSCGA Vicki Hillen Junior Golf Foundation: The WSCGA Junior Golf Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to promote junior golf in the State of South Carolina by providing golf scholarships, playing and teaching the game of golf, and promoting amateur golf. For more information visit www.wscga.org .
