Eastern Florida State College Awards Two Golfers with Scholarships During Annual Youth Golf Camp

By Michael Parsons, Eastern Florida State College // June 17, 2023

first time in 29-years two golfers were awarded a two-year scholarship

For the first time in the 29 years of the P.J. Wilson and Henry Scott Minority Youth Golf Camp, two young golfers were awarded a two-year scholarship to Eastern Florida State College Thursday morning. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – For the first time in the 29 years of the P.J. Wilson and Henry Scott Minority Youth Golf Camp, two young golfers were awarded a two-year scholarship to Eastern Florida State College Thursday morning.

The youth golf camp ceremony recognized all of the campers who graduated from the minority youth golf camp during a ceremony on the Cocoa campus of Eastern Florida State College.

Yerik Cywinski and Hayley Luise excelled in the camp and in their interviews with the awards committee who felt they both deserved a scholarship that covers tuition and books for two years at Eastern Florida State College.

Cywinski finished his third year of participating in the youth golf camp and is heading into his junior season.

“The golf camp is amazing, Roosevelt Jackson was one of the reasons I kept coming back and playing along with Isaac Johnson, they are amazing coaches and the camp is always so much fun,” said Cywinski who is homeschooled and lives in Palm Bay.

“This means a lot, now I won’t have as much college debt and I am able to see the work that I have put into the game of golf pay off and for others to acknowledge that is special.”

Jackson had been one of the coaches of the youth golf camp since it started but passed away last year.

Luise is also going to be a junior next year at Space Coast Junior/Senior High School and this was her first year at the camp, signing up after her high school coach mentioned it to her.

“This means a lot to me, it is a big step for me and my future, I love playing golf and hope that I can continue to play at Eastern Florida State College,” said Luise who did not know about the scholarship until it was mentioned on the first day of camp.

“I just thought it would go to kids who have been attending the camp for years but I put my head forward, worked on my game and learned a lot with coach Howell and all the other volunteers and helpers. I look forward to continue to improve and am just super excited for the future.”

The ceremony also featured some fun speakers who talked to the kids and their families about being successful in life.

Christopher Arrone got things started with some lyrics that grabbed the kids attention as he rapped about making good decisions.

Arrone, who is a rap artist/poet and motivational speaker, talked about staying focused and how procrastination is the assassination of your destination.

“Preparation is the key to good results and today is the day you are being rewarded for having great results,” Arrone said. “While most kids are just waking up or on TikTok, you are here celebrating your great results so congratulations to you.”

Then the over 100 people in attendance were welcomed with some comedy by former Eastern Florida State College graduate Dorian Gayle who did a few impressions and congratulated the kids on working hard and finishing what they had started, reminding them to di the right thing and if they need help, get help. Gayle has been in a commercial and attended the BET Awards.

Eastern Florida State College Executive Director of Community Engagement Dr. Michael Cadore was the emcee of the event and helped run the camp with EFSC men’s and women’s golf coach Jamie Howell and Karen Wilson.

“It’s absolutely amazing to see all of these kids come out and learn the game of golf. To see how much they have improved over the past couple of weeks is phenomenal,” Dr. Cadore said.

“It is an honor to be a part of this and to see so many former Eastern Florida State College and Brevard Community College students here today just shows that we have something special here. I want to thank Vice President Jack Parker and Eyualem Abebe (the Dean of STEM for the Cocoa campus) for being here today and none of this is possible without the tremendous support of our president Dr. Jim Richey.”

The three coaches of the camp, Howell, Rockledge golf coach Michael Inman and Isaac Johnson each handed out three awards to campers from their groups.

From the First Tee group, coach Isaac named Benjamin Lane the Most Improved, Brody Hadwiger won the Sportsmanship award and Cole Chavis had the Best Attitude.

In the Titan Group, coach Inman named Tyson Adrian as Most Improved, Memphis Browning received the Sportsmanship award and Quinn Fung had the Best Attitude.

Coach Howell had the Tournament Group and Gavin Compton was the Most Improved with Sable O’Hagan winning the Sportsmanship award and Kaitlin Cooper had the Best Attitude.

All of the campers received a certificate, a bag of Eastern Florida State College items and had sandwiches and fruit.

The youth golf camp has been helping teach youth the basic skills of golf, including golf etiquette, conduct, sportsmanship, as well as values for a successful living since 1992 when former President Dr. Maxwell King started it with the assistance of Henry Scott and P.J. Wilson, who were two minority golf professionals in Brevard County.