Bringing Their A Game
A local teen is now the winner of a national college golf scholarship!
First Tee Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky named Walnut Hills High School Graduate and First Tee GCNKY participant, Henry Mentzel to the First Tee College Scholarship Program.
“Henry is not only an outstanding golfer, but he has demonstrated his care for both the First Tee and broader community, having worked in the past with children and golfers of all abilities,” said Patty Ragio, CEO of First Tee GCNKY. “This summer he continues his First Tee journey as an alum as one of our rising college program interns. We could not be prouder of Henry and all the talent he has shared with us and his community.”
Entering its fifth year, the program recently celebrated its first graduating class, and now boasts 94 current or former members.
Like his peers before him, Mentzel has shown dedication to school, extracurriculars, volunteerism and especially our First Tee Chapter, having been a participant for nearly 10 years in the youth development organization.
Mentzel is one of 24 Scholars, pulled from a pool of 150 highly qualified applicants.
“His outstanding academic record at Walnut Hills has enabled his admission to the University of Kentucky in the fall. Moreover, Henry is already a recipient of our Chapter’s Rita S. Metcalf Memorial Scholarship,” said Raggio.
Members of the First Tee College Scholarship program not only receive financial support, but they are also matched with an adult mentor and provided annual professional development opportunities.
First Tee is a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. First Tee GCNKY serves over 25,000 kids and teens each year on golf courses, in schools and at community centers across seven counties and nine locations across Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky. (Hamilton, Butler,Warren, Clermont, Boone, Kenton, Campbell).
For more information, visit First Tee’s website.
“Spring is an exciting time of year when we welcome a new group of First Tee Scholars,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The scholarship program has grown significantly since it launched in 2020 thanks to our generous donors and sponsors. We look forward to supporting our Scholars on their path to success.”
Participants across First Tee’s network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement,community service and other criteria.
Members of the First Tee College Scholarship program not only receive financial support, but they are also matched with an adult mentor and provided annual professional development opportunities.