Golfing for Students

Another 80 students will receive scholarships, thanks to Cal State Fullerton’s annual Hispanic Scholarship Golf Tournament. 

This year’s tournament, held April 22 at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, raised $108,000 — a record sum. Presented by American Honda Motor Co., the tournament grows each year, said Silas H. Abrego, acting vice president for student affairs.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to increase the scholarship amount by another $500,” said Abrego, who helped found the tournament 24 years ago.

He said $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to Future Scholars, freshmen or transfer students who are “educationally, economically and environmentally disadvantaged.”

“Today’s economic climate makes it tough for low-income students to pursue their college degrees, so we want to help as much as possible,” Abrego said. “Paying for a college education continues to be challenging. The cost of higher education has increased rapidly, but the family median income has not kept pace. And, affordability still is a concern for many students. The golf tournament is one way we support them.”

The first tournament in 1987 raised $12,000. Last year, the tournament raised $96,800, and 75 Future Scholars each received a $1,000 scholarship. To date, more than 900 students have benefited from the scholarships, which have totaled more than $1 million.

Along with Honda, the other platinum sponsors, those who donated $10,000 or more this year, were 51 Minds, Chevron and Verizon. Also sponsoring the tournament were Diverse Staffing Solutions, J.A. Salazar Construction Supply Corp., and Force Protector Gear, Coca Cola, Kaiser Permanente, Juanita’s Foods, Tlaquepaque Restaurant, El Nuevo Mariachi, Cobra USA, Mariscos Playa De Corales, RMI International, Teresa’s Jewelers, Arturo J. Lomeli, D.D.S, Intaglio Services, Inc. and many others.

"Honda is proud to partner with the Hispanic Scholarship Golf Tournament,” said Anthony P. Piazza, vice president of administration for American Honda. “We remain committed to increasing opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams by receiving a college education."

Abrego credits alumna Rosalina Davis (B.A. Spanish ’77), owner of Tlaquepaque Restaurant in Placentia, with her husband, Raul Davis, for recommending the golf tournament 24 years ago as a fundraiser. 

“Higher education is so important for the success of our nation’s future generations and the scholarship funds we raise are instrumental in helping them achieve their goals,” Rosalina Davis said. “We are very excited that next year we will celebrate our 25th Hispanic Scholarship Golf Tournament in which we plan to raise a record-breaking $125,000 for the day. It is an honor for us to be a part of CSUF and to be able to touch some of our brightest and deserving students.”

To sign up for next year's golf tournament, visit the golf tournament website or contact Diana L. Avendaño at 657-278-2486 or davendano@fullerton.edu.

To apply for a scholarship, visit the Future Scholars website or call 657-278-7921.

May 5, 2011