The Walter J. Travis Society

The 2026 Scholarship Application is open for applications. 

The Walter J. Travis Memorial Scholarships have been awarded annually since 2009, to honor the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of Walter J. Travis in the game of golf. In his pioneering career, Travis was a champion amateur golfer, esteemed golf course architect, innovative turf grass expert, and prolific golf journalist. He was founder and editor of one of the most influential golf magazines of his time, The American Golfer. We encourage applicants to explore this site to learn more about Walter J. Travis, in whose honor this scholarship program was established.

STRUCTURE. APPLICATION GUIDELINES, AND CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

The Travis Society’s Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing an unergraduate degree in one of the following professions: landscape design/golf course architecture; golf course turf grass management/golf course superintendent; professional golf management, club professional, or sports journalism with a special interest in golf.

In addition, we will give serious consideration to outstanding amateur high school/college/university golfers for our scholarship awards, based on their competitive record as an amateur golfer, and criteria listed below (with exception of career goals). Amateur golfer applicants do not need to be pursuing a career in a golf related industry.

One of our scholarships is awarded in honor of Rudy Zocchi, a long-time Travis Society member who devoted much of the last years of his life to researching Walter J. Travis. We are forever grateful to Rudy for the countless significant contributions he made to our knowledge of Walter J. Travis. Our large collection of Travis literature and memorabilia is largely the result of Rudy’s dedicated and diligent efforts.

A second, named scholarship, remembers the life and commitment of Edward B. Homsey, founding member of the WJTS. Ed served every elected role in the society, and was instrumental in the development of the website and the Travis Cup matches.

Applicants for The Walter J. Travis Memorial Scholarship must present evidence of being enrolled/matriculated as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited two- or four-year college/university, for the following Fall semester.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the merit of all scholarship applications:

*Overall quality of application materials, including thoroughness and clarity of information provided, current references/recommendations, and an essay that reflects a good understanding and appreciation of the instructions.

*Academic record

*Involvement in golf-related interests and activities.

*Career goals (Not applicable for students who are applying in the category of “amateur golfer”) that are consistent with the goals of this scholarship program.

*Extracurricular activities, including volunteer work with student/community organizations; participation in sports and community affairs; jobs held; special interests, and hobbies. We are impressed with those students who have demonstrated a desire to “give back to their community” through volunteer activities.

*For those in the amateur golfer category, successful participation in competition.

Scholarship applications are independently reviewed by panelists who rate each applicant on the above criteria using an evaluation rating system designed to objectify the evaluations as much as possible. The panelists submit their top 6-10 (depending on size of field) applicants to the Scholarship Chairman who identifies the winners, based on their overall ranking.

Award: $1,000

Number of Awards: Five awards.

Awards renewal: Awards are renewable subject to re-application, including three letters of recommendation (at least one from one of the student’s professors) and evidence of maintaining a 3.00 GPA, or higher. Past winners will be reviewed by the Scholarship Screening Panel using the same criteria applied to all other applicants.

Awards use: This scholarship may be used for any legitimate educational expense.

Application procedures: Candidates must complete the online form with essays, and have transcripts  and letters of recommendation SENT DIRECTLY from the source, to the Travis Scholarship email (scholarshipswjts @ gmail.com) Any letters of recommendation or transcripts sent by/from applicants WILL BE DISCARDED and the application will be considered incomplete.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION

May 15, 2026, Midnight, EST USA

For any questions pertaining to the Travis Society scholarship, please contact us at:

Scholarshipswjts @ gmail.com

FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Travis Society scholarship program exists solely through the generosity of our donors. Whether you are a Travis Society member, or an individual who appreciates the contributions to golf by the great, early pioneers of the game such as Walter J. Travis, we invite you to support the scholarship program through a tax deductible contribution. Your donation will be used exclusively for the scholarship awards. All donations will be acknowledged, and donors contributing $250 and above, will receive appropriate tax deduction statements. You may send your donation via the Donation link in the top menu.

Scholarship Winners

The Walter J. Travis Society developed its scholarship program in 2008, with the first awards extended for 2009. During each year of the scholarship, the competition has been fierce with many applicants vying for an award.

2025 Scholarship Winners

Nolan Clay – University of Texas-Austin – Edward Homsey Memorial Scholarship

Timothy Manzello – Pennsylvania State University – Rudy Zocchi Memorial Scholarship 

Aveeva Mirchandani – Claremont McKenna College

Colby Sorensen – University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Christopher Strong – Assumption University

2024 Scholarship Winners

Nolan Clay – University of Texas, Austin

Robert Delisanti – Mercyhurst University

Lily Sweet King – University of Texas, Austin

Timothy Manzello – Pennsylvania State University – Rudy Zocchi Memorial Scholarship

Simon Richalot – Pennsylvania State University

2023 Scholarship Winners

Anthony Delisanti – Valparaiso University

Kayla Gutierrez – Florida Gulf Coast University

Timothy Manzello – Pennsylvania State University

Elliott Pope – Western Kentucky University – Rudy Zocchi Memorial Scholarship

Simon Wattier – Pennsylvania State University

2022 Scholarship Winners

Anthony Delisanti – Valparaiso University

Rachel Goldstein – University of Pennsylvania

Annika Kuleba – Sweet Briar College — Rudy Zocchi Memorial Scholarship,

Joshua Lendach – University of Cincinnati

Elliott Pope – Western Kentucky University

2021 Scholarship Winners

Anthony Delisanti – Valparaiso University

Elliott Pope – Western Kentucky University

Annika Kuleba – Sweet Briar College

2020 Scholarship Winners

Caroline Ellington – NC State University

Lily Sweet King – University of Mississippi

Matthew Genaway – Canisius University

Annika Kuleba – Sweet Briar College

Joey Sorgi III – Michigan State University

2019 Scholarship Winners

Zachary Slayton – Colorado Christian University

Rachel Goldstein – University of Pennsylvania

Nathan Rabuck – University of Colorado

Annika Kuleba – Sweet Briar College Rudy Zocchi Memorial Scholarship

Matthew Genaway–Canisius University

2018 Scholarship Winners

Lily Sweet King – University of Mississippi

Annika Josephine Kuleba – Sweet Briar College

Samuel Warne – University of South Carolina

Devon Carroll – Penn State University – Rudy Zocchi Memorial Scholarship

Jack Devic – Millersville University

2017 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Devon Carroll – Penn State University

Peyton Durham – Methodist University

Kritsarin Oukosavanna – Iona College

Ashton Radvansky – Bucknell University

Mitchell W. Smith – Mercyhurst University

2016 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Harrison Agena – University of Nebraska—Lincoln

Colton Craig – Oklahoma State University

Ashton Radvansky – Bucknell University

Anna Schatschneider – Ashland University

Ryan Dyck – Lindenwood University

2015 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Ashton Radvansky – Bucknell University

Robert Tyler Vaughn – Florida Golf Coast University

Mariana Gottret – Florida Golf Coast University

Harrison Agena -University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Sydney Shaw -Bradley University

2014 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Payton Minear – Florida Gulf Coast University

Christopher Marra – Pennsylvania State University

Benjamin Hatala – Mississippi State University

Harrison John Agena – University of Nebraska

2013 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Carlyn Babinec – Gannon University

Christopher Marra – Pennsylvania State University

Payton Minear – Florida Golf Coast University

Andrew Travers – University of Massachusetts

2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Dylan Bass – University of Idaho

Clyde Johnson – University of Georgia

Daniel Robert Rude – University of Minnesota

Gabriella Sinkovic – North Carolina State University

2011 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Paul Montanaro – Campbell University

Daniel Rude – University of Minnesota

Abby Sorensen – Allegheny College

Brendan McKee – University of Guelph

2010 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Benjamin Comeau – Northeastern University

Smylie Kaufmann – Louisiana State University

Tanner R. Kelley – University of Idaho

Abby Sorensen – Allegheny College

2009 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Tyler Arnold – Methodist University

Nicholas Hardy – Florida Gulf Coast University

Steven Hutzell – University of Maryland

Abby Sorensen – Allegheny College