Six Selected For USGA Fellowship


July 19, 2004
E-mail address: mediarelations@usga.org

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Six recent college graduates, representing a wide variety of interests and academic backgrounds, joined the United States Golf Association's Fellowship in Leadership and Service program this June.

The six new Fellows are: Kimberly Brown (Yale University) of Montclair, N.J.; Kate Coakley (Boston College) of Denver, Colo.; Andrew Heiman (Vanderbilt University) of Brentwood, Tenn.; Sara Iams (University of Virginia) of Columbus, Ohio; Ryan Morgan (Rice University) Lawrence, Kansas; and Michael Naughton (University of Notre Dame) of Colorado Springs, Colo.

From interning with a sports-management company, a public relations firm, and a state and regional golf association, to tutoring and mentoring children and competing in collegiate athletics, these new Fellows have participated in a variety of leadership and growth activities to augment their education.

"The diversity of the Fellowship experience is what attracts a group like this year's class: quality people with a multitude of interests and experiences," said Steve Czarnecki, manager of Grants Initiative and Fellowship Program. "It is this very diversity that makes us better able to serve programs in local communities through the Grants Program and learn from each other through the Fellowship's developmental curriculum."

Based at the USGA Grants Office in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Fellowship in Leadership and Service program is a two-year, post-graduate commitment with the possibility of an option for a specialized project during the third year. It is aimed at developing professional skills, such as leadership and organizational efficiency, education in the role of foundations and the not-for-profit sector, and experience in the golf world, specifically, with the governing body of golf in this country.  There are currently 13 Fellows employed in the program, which is entering its eighth year.

"We are excited to usher in a new class of Fellows - dynamic, young college graduates looking to impact the lives of others," said Judy Bell, USGA Grants Committee member and past USGA president. "During the next two years, each Fellow will have hands-on opportunities to improve professional and personal skills for a successful future."

USGA Grants Initiative:  A Capsule History

The USGA works to make the game of golf affordable and accessible. Since 1997, it has awarded more than $42 million as part of its ongoing $5-million annual grants initiative to provide financial support and assistance to deserving golf programs.  The USGA Executive Committee has extended its grants initiative to the end of the decade, bringing total anticipated USGA support to $65 million. The grants initiative traditionally focuses on programming for economically disadvantaged youth and individuals with disabilities. Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA partners with national organizations to promote affordable and accessible facility development, course access, girls' golf, and initiatives for individuals with disabilities.

For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative, contact the Grants office at (719) 471-4810 or visit the Grants Section of the USGA Web site at www.usga.org .

A profile of the six individuals selected for the Fellowship program follows.

Kimberly Brown
American Studies, Yale University
Hometown: Montclair, N.J.

Kimberly Brown earned a degree in American studies with a focus in urban policy from Yale University this spring.  Brown competed for two years as a member of the Yale women's golf team.  Also during her tenure at school, Brown sang with the Yale Gospel Choir. She has held summer marketing internships with Black Enterprise and Dun & Bradstreet.  Brown has served as a mentor to inner-city youth with Visions of Virtue and the Newark Housing Authority.  At the age of ten, she began participation in the Renaissance Junior Golf Program (a USGA-supported program).  

Kate Coakley
English, Boston College
Hometown: Denver, Colo.

Kate Coakley graduated this spring from Boston College with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy.  Her interest in non-profits was sparked through a high school Dominican Republic Service Learning program in which she and other student leaders founded the Los Conucos Scholarship Fund.  While at Boston College, Coakley participated in alternative spring break trips with Habitat for Humanity, mentored youth at the Boys and Girls Club and served as a buddy and notetaker for students with disabilities.  She devoted twelve years of her youth as an Irish Step Dancer.    

Andrew "Andy" Heiman
Economics & Political Science, Vanderbilt University
Hometown: Brentwood, Tenn.

Andy Heiman completed a double major in economics and political science from Vanderbilt University this spring.  For three summers, Heiman worked to coordinate junior tournaments as a Golf House of Tennessee intern and tournament director.  At Vanderbilt, he has earned multiple academic recognitions and serves as a mentor and tutor in the Vanderbuddies after-school program for local youth.  In addition to being a skilled golfer, Heiman also played and refereed a variety of intramural sports through the Vanderbilt Recreation Center. 

Sara Iams
Economics, University of Virginia
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Sara Iams graduated among the top of her class from the University of Virginia this spring with a degree in economics.  Iams played club field hockey and was the membership selection chairman of Pi Beta Phi at UVA.  She is a reading and writing tutor for local kindergarteners at Hollymead Elementary School and volunteers with Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy, an equine program for children with disabilities.  Last summer, Iams was one of 17 merchandise interns with the U.S. Open at Olympia Fields. 

Ryan Morgan
Sports Management and Managerial Studies, Rice University
Hometown: Lawrence, Kan.

Ryan Morgan received his degree in sports management and managerial studies from Rice University this spring.  As a student-athlete at Rice, Morgan competed on the Rice men's golf team and captained the team as a junior and senior.  In addition he served on the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and chaired the Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  While at Rice, Morgan also coordinated the Rice University Orientation Week and lead student leadership retreats.  Last summer he interned in the public relations department of Rives Carlberg L. P. in Houston, Texas.  

Michael Naughton
Business Administration (concentration: Finance), University of Notre Dame
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Michael Naughton received his degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Notre Dame this spring.  While at Notre Dame, Naughton worked as a student assistant in the Office of Sports Information, assisting with stats, media guides and press releases.  In the summer of 2003, he interned with the golf division of the International Management Group ( ) in Cleveland, Ohio.  Additionally, Naughton has spent summers spotting for CBS Sports and the Tour at the Quest International and bartending at the Broadmoor Hotel.  He also spent a summer as a counselor in leadership training at Cheley Colorado Camps.