Makenna Carlson Named Charlie Burkart Scholarship Recipient-
Riverside, Iowa – The Iowa PGA Foundation Charlie Burkart Scholarship committee has selected Makenna Carlson of Story City, Iowa as the 2024 Charlie Burkart Scholarship honoree.
This fall, Carlson will be attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to major in Professional Golf Management (PGM). PGM will allow her to utilize the skills that she has learned in her own career in golf alongside her love of golf and create a career that will allow her to positively impact others in golf.
When asked on what this means to win, Carlson responded with, “I am deeply honored to receive the Charlie Burkart Scholarship. Growing up in the world of golf, I have been fortunate to learn from some of the best in the game. My passion for golf has always been clear—I’ve long envisioned it as my career. The opportunity provided by the University of Nebraska Lincoln for golfers like myself is truly incredible. I am eager to share my enthusiasm for the game and educate others about its remarkable aspects and his scholarship will help make this dream a reality!”
Following Carlson’s education, she plans to open her own business that combines golf, fitness, and diet so that players of all ages and all genders can come to one facility to work towards their individual goals. Flash back to when she was nine and standing among a group full of boys with only one other girl, she would have loved to have seen a female role model to represent that golf was meant for her, too. Ultimately, she was to be a coach for all that any golfer can look up to as a role model and knows she’s looking out for what is best for all of them.
Her love for the game of golf began at a very young age. Carlson’s dad grew up golfing and eventually went on to play at a D1 college, so naturally he made sure she was introduced into the game. During her childhood she played about every sport imagined, but golf was definitely her favorite. You could see how her eyes would light up whenever she was on the golf course or had a chance to talk about the game.
Growing up around golf has influenced her at every stage of life. When she was younger, it taught her to be confident, which was crucial at that age. If golf had not given her the experience of competing with boys, she would not have found that confidence until much later in life. Golf has taught her more than just confidence. Growing up in a generation surrounded by technology, golf taught Carlson the importance of being outside and engaging with other people, rather than over the phone. She learned to communicate with kids she had never met before, which is the reason she communicates with new people she encounters now. Golf also gave her the skills of respect, honesty, and kindness.
The most important lesson golf has taught her is leadership. She is a student who has a lot of ideas and with the leadership that she has developed through her years of playing golf, she is now able to take her ideas and make them flourish. Because of the positive impact that golf had on her at the very early stages of life, she has dreamt of making golf a career since she was nine.
She has also demonstrated leadership off the course, advocating for fairness in sportsmanship and influencing positive change within the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. I advocated for a rule change for golf coaches, prompting her to reach out to the lead of girls’ golf at the IGHSAU. Through a series of email exchanges, we discussed the necessary modifications and proposed ideas. The suggested changes were presented to the board and portions of it were passed. It would come into effect starting the following season.
Here are some quotes from some of Makenna’s mentors.
Larry Ammerman, Head Girls Varsity Golf Coach, “Makenna has a bright future, she is hard working, a positive young lady who makes everyone around her a better person, she is a very mature young lady and leads life with integrity and by example.”
Amanda Paulson, Spanish & ESL Teacher/Student Council Sponsor, “Makenna has been involved in a wide variety of student activities. She is an outstanding student that works well with a variety of people and is highly respected among her peers. She uses her time wisely and follows through with her commitments. For the last several years, Makenna has organized the use of golf carts from members of the community for several Homecoming events. I appreciate knowing that she will reach out to contracts, making sure that we have the carts to use in the ceremonies of the half-time game, and confirm arrangements for their return. When we lost our previous contact for golf carts, Makenna heard about our need, offered to help, and has continued to do so without prompting. She is organized, driven, and dedicated to any goal that she has for herself, and that we have had as a group. I always appreciate her hard work and diligence to see any task through to completion. Makenna has also been employed at the Riverbend Golf Course for several years.”
The Iowa PGA Congratulates Makenna Carlson as our 2024 Charlie Burkart Scholarship Award Winners.
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