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Scholarship News Highlights Annual Alliance Cup

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EULESS – A cold, rainy Tuesday morning on the golf course ended with one of the brightest moments in recent history for the WTGA at its ninth annual Alliance Cup tournament.
  
Once play concluded at Texas Star Golf Course in the mixed, four-person team event, Stacy Dennis, Managing Director of the Texas Golf Association, announced the WTGA’s plans to “deepen the impact” of the organization’s scholarship programs. Through initiatives such as the Winner’s Program and Wiesner’s Winners, the WTGA provides grant funding for select chapters of LPGA/USGA Girls Golf and additional support in the way of college scholarships for worthy Texas girls.
  
Historically, the WTGA has awarded two $1,000 college scholarships each year, with each recipient eligible to renew for up to four years. Dennis, a two-time WTGA State Amateur champion, spoke to the Alliance Cup participants and explained that $4,000 just doesn’t go very far when it comes to college expenses.
  
“This year we decided that instead of giving several kids a little money each year, we want to send a girl to college,” Dennis said. “So we’re combining our scholarship funds, and the scholarship we award this year will be a four-year commitment of at least $25,000 to one special girl.”
  
The news was met with rousing applause and put an uplifting cap on the ninth annual Alliance Cup, a fund-raiser for the WTGA that features co-ed teams competing in best-ball game of 2 Low Net, 2 Low Gross. Drizzling rain with temperatures hovering in the mid-50s most of the day did nothing to dampen the spirits of the competitors.
  
“I was really impressed with the turnout considering the weather,” said Katie O’Donnell, the TGA’s Director of Women’s Operations. “It goes to show how much support we have in the community. At the end of the day, the WTGA wants to help enrich the lives of young girls and help them go to college. These Alliance Cup participants and the money we raise help accomplish that.”
  
Now part of the TGA Foundation, the Alliance Cup has helped the WTGA’s Winners’ Program provide more than $130,000 in grants and scholarships since 2008.
  
The team of Andrew Bachelder, Nick Bradley, Randy Nantz and Josh Hayes won the Gross Division with a two-ball score of 4-under-par 138. Kristi Thiele, Marlene Summers, Jim Brown and Mark Button finished second in the Gross Division at 11-over 153. Dennis and her team of 2004 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur champion Carolyn Creekmore, Pat Wheeler of KVCE AM 1160’s “Texas Links on the Air” and TGA Board Member Leslie Henry won a scorecard playoff in the Net Division title with a score of 5-under 137. Also finishing at 137 were Deb Nelson, Linda Jackman, Sandy Dalehite and Joanne Burleson.
  
The golf will be forgotten soon enough, but helping young Texas girls through the Alliance Cup and its mission stays with the supporters much longer.
  
“My favorite part of the day, honestly, was meeting new friends and being able to support the WTGA,” said Summers, a nine-time USGA championship participant. “Both of my daughters played golf in high school, I’ve always been so appreciative of what the WTGA does for girls and junior golf.”