and Mathis Wint, a graduate of Kenwood Academy, are presented with scholarships.
August 17, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
This year, Jackson Park Golf Association (JPGA) is thankful for donations and contributions that have afforded the organization the opportunity to award two more Jackson Park caddies scholarships. Raquel Simpson and Mathis Wint received awards on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at a small ceremony at Jackson Park to honor their accomplishments.
JPGA is a 501(c)3 organization which represents a collaboration of golfers drawing the community together using golf as its caretaker. “We are dedicated to strengthening the community by committing ourselves to the life lessons, prospects, and distinction provided by the game,” said Chairperson Tracy Raoul. The Jackson Park Golf Course opened in 1898 and is the oldest golf course west of the Allegheny Mountains and countless leagues, clubs, and individuals have supported the course since its inception.
“JPGA members are extremely proud of these young adults and their extraordinary accomplishments. We are pleased to present them with well-deserved scholarships because they truly represent the best of what our community has to offer the City of Chicago and the game of golf,” said Chairman Raoul.
A COLLECTIVE MISSION
The commitment of JPGA is universally agreed upon by its membership. The collective mission and vision will advance underserved youth and young adult golfers to not only dream, but also achieve their dreams to become professional golfers and/or work in the golf industry.
The JPGA in conjunction with the Western Golf Association Evans Scholarship Foundation established the first caddy program at Jackson Park Golf Course and awarded two recipients the Evans Scholarship. They received full tuition and housing! Additionally, the JPGA junior golf program for youth ages 6-17, was created to further enhance the growth of golf among minority youth. Most notably, JPGA also supported a rising junior champion, Tiger Woods, before his ascension to professional golf. In May 2019, a third caddy from Jackson Park, Kenwood Academy senior, Tim Arrington, was the recipient of an Evans Scholarship to attend Marquette University.
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Raquel Simpson, a recent graduate of Walter Payton College Preparatory with a 4.8 GPA, will be attending Howard University to pursue a degree in Political Science with a concentration in Black Politics in addition to advancing her golf skills as a member of Howard University’s Golf team. Raquel’s amazing skills as a junior golfer have been well documented! She not only was a standout member of Walter Payton’s girl’s golf team, but she competed and was victorious in numerous local tournaments.
“As a Black female golfer, my space in the golf world is important and representative of what is possible with perseverance and determination,” stated Simpson. She went on to say,”…..I believe that in order to be successful in the game of golf, you have to be willing to be humble, patient, and accept help from others.”
The scholarship presented to DeVaughn Mathus will help him in his quest to play golf at the professional level. DeVaughn turned pro in 2020, starting his career on the Tour Red circuit. The 2020 tour offers local events in three markets, one of which is in his hometown of Chicago. JPGA sponsored DeVaughn to play in the Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Tour at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL, August 16-17, 2020. Mathus was away competing and unable to personally accept the award. He is the first professional golfer to receive a JPGA scholarship.
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Mathis Wint, a graduate of Kenwood Academy, will be attending Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to pursue a degree in Business Finance. “Being a young Black male who grew up watching and playing physical sports, I always thought that golf was a sport for rich men and that I would never play the(sic) sport. A door opened up for me to become a caddie,”
Wint said, “At first, I questioned the opportunity because at the time I had never played or even seen a whole round of golf. However, as time went by and as I learned the game of golf, I have realized that golfing has many life lessons, including being patient. I would definitely tell someone who looks like me and wants to play golf or become a caddie to be open-minded about it and to never count yourself out.”
To learn more about the Jackson Park Golf Association visit https://jpgachicago.com
