Kent State Men's Golf Announces Endowed Scholarship Recipients for 2010-11
5/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Men's Golf program currently has over $1.3 million in active endowments
KENT, Ohio – Scholarships are the backbone of every college athletic program and the Kent State men's golf team is no different. The Golden Flashes, which just recently claimed their third straight and league record 19th Mid-American Conference title, currently have an Endowment Fund of over $1.3 million which provides them the opportunity to attract top golfers and to compete at a championship level each year.
The recipients of the 2010-11 men's golf endowed scholarships are as follows:
Steven & Patti Cress Scholarship: Senior John Hahn (Las Vegas, Nev. / Hudson H.S. [Ohio])
John Hahn is a two-time Honorable Mention All-American and just recently became only the third player in league history to be named the MAC Golfer of the Year for a third time. This season he leads the nation with four victories amongst his six top five finishes. He enters the NCAA Regional May 19-21 with the second lowest career scoring average (72.31) in school history and is tied for first all-time with seven career wins. Hahn is graduating this spring with a degree in business management. A 1972 graduate of Kent State, Steven and his wife Patti first endowed a scholarship in 1996.
Dennis E Rango Scholarship: Senior Brett Cairns (Courtland, Ontario / Holy Trinty)
Brett Cairns is a two-time all region selection, and the 2010 MAC Golfer of the Year. Last spring he set the Kent State record for the lowest individual round with a 10-under 62 at the Aggie Invitational. Cairns has two career wins and 13 top 10 finishes. An All-MAC selection all four years, he is graduating this spring with a degree in geography. A 1973 graduate, Dennis Rango is a former member of the Kent State golf team and a co-founder of the Annual Rango Invitational Golf Fundraiser.
Lou Telerico Scholarship: Senior J.P. Paiement (Des Ruisseaux, Quebec / Polyvalente St. Joseph)
J.P. (Jean-Phillip) Paiement is a two-time U.S. Amateur qualifier and a seasoned veteran on the collegiate and amateur circuits. He played in over 24 events for the Golden Flashes during his career owning a 75.59 career scoring average. Paiement is graduating this spring with a degree in geography. A 10-year sponsor of the Lou Telerico Pro-Am Classic, Lou is a 1966 Kent State alum.
Richard C Rango Scholarship: Junior Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ontario / Highland Secondary)
Mackenzie Hughes has emerged as one of the top players in the region after earning the 2009 MAC Freshman of the Year Award. In 2010-11 he has strung together a 73.68 scoring average while earning individual medalist honors at the Bank of Tennessee Classic and the 2011 MAC Championship. Hughes is currently majoring in business administration and he is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society A two-time Kent State alumnus, Richard (B.A. '70; M.A. '73) helped co-found the Rango Invitational which has generated more than $500,000 for the Kent State golf program since its inception in 1987.
Jim and Nancy Arthur Scholarship: Sophomore Kevin Miller (Dover, Ohio / Sugarcreek Garaway)
For the second straight season Kevin Miller has been one of the most consistent performers for the Golden Flashes during the spring season. The 2010 MAC Freshman of the Year, he was named First Team All-MAC this season following a year in which he had four top 10 finishes in his final five events. A business management major he received a Kent State Athletics Academic Excellence Award this year. Jim and Nancy Arthur are longtime supporters of Intercollegiate Athletics and Kent State University.
Chuck and Judy Messina Scholarship: Sophomore Isaac Charette (Hudson, Ohio / Hudson)
Isaac Charette had a solid debut season as a freshman with the Golden Flashes in 2009-10. He made two appearances this season, but was a regular in the Kent State line-up last spring playing in six events, including the NCAA Championship. An accounting major, he is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and has be the recipient of a Kent State Athletics Academic Excellence Award the past two seasons. The president and CEO of T.H.E.M. of Ohio Incorporated, Chuck Messina is a 1966 Kent State graduate.
Herb Kane Scholarship: Sophomore Nathan Tarter (Mogadore, Ohio / Mogadore)
Nathan Tarter is a low-scoring threat that has seen action in six events over the past two seasons. He will continue to earn more starts in the Kent State line-up as he builds confidence and consistency in his shot making ability. Tarter is currently majoring in sports administration. Prominent Ravenna attorney Herb Kane was a long-time booster of the Kent State golf program. A 1947 graduate of Kent State University, Herb donated $35,000 to endow a tuition scholarship. Mr. Kane passed away in 2001.
Doug and Bert Sims Scholarship: Freshman Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ontario)
Taylor Pendrith was a major contributor during the Golden Flashes run to the 2011 MAC Championship. After an illness sidelined him to just two events in the fall he played in six events during the spring earning a pair of top 10 finishes. The Golden Flashes longest hitter off the tee, he had a 75.32 scoring average this season. A former Kent State basketball standout, Doug Sims ('67) began the Doug and Bert Sims Endowment in 2004-05.
Dr. Doug Hanzel Scholarship: Freshman Corey Conners (Listowel, Ontario)
A well accomplished junior amateur player, Corey Conners made his Kent State debut this season appearing in nine events. As a freshman in 2010-11 he posted a 75.30 scoring average and had three top 25 finishes. A former Kent State golfer and Director of Golf Herb Page's first team captain in 1978, Dr. Doug Hanzel established this endowment in 2003.
Offering a prospective student-athlete a scholarship is the single biggest investment a coach can make. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of many fine people the Kent State Endowment Fund provides the Golden Flashes the chance to offer educational opportunities to the best student-athletes from around the globe.
