2006 Kansas Junior Golf Scholars

Betsy Dower – Hutchinson (Univ. of Kansas)

As a freshman, Betsy recruited other girls to try out for the golf team. By her senior year, Betsy’s goal of reaching the State High School Tournament was realized. That experience taught her the value of setting goals and working hard to achieve them. Betsy will be attending the University of Kansas and intends to major in nursing.

Jessie Garrett – Pratt (Univ. of Kansas)

Jessie calls golf her “most influential teacher.” Through golf, she has developed “personal integrity, a competitive mind set and friendships” and learned about character and perseverance. But golf’s “greatest gift” to her is the relationship she developed with her father while playing golf. When she attends the University of Kansas, Jessie will focus on engineering physics and aerospace systems, and hopes to work on an international space exploration team.

Jim Krieger – Leavenworth (Univ. of Kansas)

Jim Krieger literally grew up around golf: his father is a golf professional. As Jim grew from “cart boy” to “little pro”, he learned such things as how to deal with impatient members, and how not to panic when bad weather arrives during the Member-Guest. He helped run the junior golf program, which motivated him to improve his game so he could play in KJGA events and on his high school golf team. Jim will enroll at the University of Kansas and will study politics, psychology and anthropology.

Tyler Simmons – Beloit (Wichita State Univ.)

Tyler has had two passions in life. Of one of them – playing golf – he says, “Nothing made me happier than having a club in my hands, playing around the course.” The game taught him to handle his emotions and helped him become a well-rounded person. Tyler’s other passion – becoming a doctor – will let him “put smiles on people’s faces by helping them.” When he enters Wichita State University, Tyler will set a course towards medical school.