Chloe Ruble will be a rising first year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pursuing a degree in business marketing and playing for their women’s golf team.
“The Alabama Golf Association has been a part of my life for the past 4 years, and I am extremely honored to even be considered to represent them in college,” said Ruble. “With this scholarship, I will be allowed to focus wholly on my academics and athletics, and work to perform to the best of my ability each day. I can only hope to honor their name by continuing the legend of female golfers in the state of Alabama.”
Blake Gayles is an incoming first year at Samford University. While attending, Gayles will be playing for the men’s golf team and pursuing a degree in finance.
“Alabama Golf has played a huge part in who I have become and I’m so honored to be the 2024 scholarship recipient. Receiving the scholarship means a lot to me and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue the legacy of the AGA throughout my college golf career,” Gayles said when asked about what it meant receiving the 2024 AGA College Scholarship.
Katelyn Foster will be attending the University of South Alabama, studying biomedical sciences and will be playing on their women’s golf team. In addition, Foster plans to attend physician assistant school at the University of South Alabama after completing her biomedical sciences degree.
“Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me because it shows that the AGA believes in my future on and off the golf course! The AGA has had a big part in making me a better player over the past few years, so I am extremely grateful to have this support from them,” said Foster.
Effective in 2022, the AGA Women’s Scholarship, now called the AGA College Scholarship, is open to both male and female applicants. Started in 1993 by the Women’s Alabama Golf Association (WAGA), and later transitioned to oversight by the Alabama Golf Association with the merger in 2010, the program has provided over $410,000 in scholarships to young golfers. Since 1993, the program has supported students across Alabama in their pursuit of post-secondary degrees.
The purpose of the AGA College Scholarship fund is to provide financial assistance to young golfers to support their successes in higher education. Selected students will receive $3,000 per semester for eight consecutive semesters toward their academic aspirations.
The program is funded through golf tournaments, fundraisers, and individual and club donations. Visit the Alabama Golf Foundation page to learn more about how you can donate today and support golfers in higher education.
The AGA Scholarship fund currently supports seven students, in addition to this year's recipients.
Visit the AGA College Scholarship page for more information about the funding goals, recipients and upcoming opportunities.
About the Alabama Golf Association (AGA)
The Alabama Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1915 whose mission is to serve and promote amateur golf in Alabama. AGA membership consists of 120 member clubs represented by over 28,000 individuals. The activities and services of the Alabama Golf Association are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Alabama golfers who wish to serve the game and the association through service. A full-time professional staff of seven individuals handles day-to-day activities.
Based in Hoover, the AGA is the USGA's Allied Golf Association in Alabama conducting national championship qualifying, administering the World Handicap System including the GHIN Handicap service, course & slope rating, and Rules of Golf & Handicapping education. The AGA annually conducts 24 championships; team match competitions for men, women, junior and seniors; AHSAA high school golf championship and the SEC Men's Golf Championship. The AGA manages the Junior Golf Alabama program that is a joint venture between the AGA and Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section.
In addition to competitions, the AGA administers the AGA Scholarship Fund through the Alabama Golf Foundation that is dedicated to assisting young golfers in higher education. Additionally, the Alabama Golf Foundation supports the Youth on Course Alabama program providing facility access to junior golfers and provides funding for the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. In 2016, the AGA earned the Gold Tee Award for “Outstanding Tournament Operations – Small Association” by the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA).
Since 1980, the AGA has managed the affairs of the Southern Golf Association which includes conducting the historic Southern Amateur Championship and Southern Junior Championship, in conjunction with the SGA Board of Directors. AGA staff also administers day-to-day operations of the Elite Amateur Golf Series.
For more information about the Alabama Golf Association, visit www.alabamagolf.org.
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Media Contact:
Mikayla King
Director of Media, Marketing & Communications
Alabama Golf Association
205-803-6524
mikayla@alabamagolf.org
