The Oregon Chapter of the GCSAA Announces 2008 Scholarship Recipients
Giving away $6,500 in scholarships this year

Portland, April 15, 2008:  The Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has recognized four turf students at Oregon State University to receive scholarship toward their education.  Scholarships will be presented to seniors Chad Kosel and Jeff Mason, and juniors Sammy Elfstrom and Josh Lewis on May 4th at the Oregon Superintendents Annual Meeting at Salashan Resort and Spa.

Chad D. Kosel has been selected to receive a $3,000 Martin Scholarship.

Responsible and dedicated to the industry, Kosel currently serves as the Turf Club president and has been selected to intern with the United States Golf Association this summer. He is originally from Montana where he initially worked at Pryor Creek Golf Club in Huntley.  After moving to Salem with his family he has worked at Creekside Golf Club., Illahee Country Club and Mallard Creek Golf and RV Resort.  In 2007, Kosel interned at Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle where he was actively involved in their renovation.

Jeff Mason has been selected to receive a $1,500Whitworth Scholarship.

Mason grew up in Amity, Ore. where he was an avid high school golfer and even coached the team as a senior project.  He has worked at Michalbook Country Club, OGA Golf Course, and most recently completed a 6-month internship at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.   In addition to top grades in his class, Mason’s dedication to his field includes a leadership role within the Turf Club at Oregon State.

Sammy Elfstrom and Josh Lewis have each been selected to receive a $1,000 OGCSA/Bayer Environmental Scholarship. 

 Elfstrom has been described by Tom Cook, OSU Associate Professor, to have boundless enthusiasm and a willingness to always try something new.   While in high school, he worked at Salashan Resort in Gleneden Beach, Ore. and then chose to major in business at OSU.   A realization that he lacked interest in his job in the business world helped him turn his passions back to the golf industry, and he has since returned to OSA to pursue a Turf Management Degree.  He is now considering pursuit of a graduate degree.

Lewis has been golfing since age seven.  He started his maintenance career working 3 years at Coos County Club, and since has worked for the past 5 years at Bandon Dunes where he now holds the position of Second Assistant on the Bandon Trails course.  His aspirations include pursuing leadership positions at both the chapter and national level with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.   This year, he will continue his training in his field by interning at Eugene Country Club, host site for the US Women’s Amateur, and next year will work at the famed Cyprus Point Club in Monterey California.