DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, May 26, 2015 – Katie Kirk of East Carolina University has been selected as the recipient of the 2015 Dinah Shore Trophy. Kirk was presented the award on Monday, May 25 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, site of the Division I NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.
Administered by the LPGA Foundation, the Dinah Shore Trophy Award recognizes female collegiate golfers who excel in both academics (3.2 on a 4.0 scale) and athletics – playing in at least 50 percent of the team’s scheduled events – while maintaining a 78.00 or less scoring average. In addition, nominees must demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and community service.
A three time National Golf Coaches Association Division I Scholar All-American, Kirk has devoted numerous hours to community service events including leading her team in community service activities to reach the goal of 30 hours per person per year. Some of her community service hours consisted of: Red Cross Blood Drives, Building Hope Organization, Elmhurst Elem. School-PE classes, American Cancer Soc. Relay for Life, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics athletic events, Charity golf tournaments and ECU Pirate Club booster events. Kirk graduates this year from East Carolina University with a Master of Science in Economic and Master of Arts in Mathematics and a 3.99 (undergrad) /4.0 (grad) grade point average.
Aside from excelling in the classroom and through community service, Kirk is accomplished on the course as well. Kirk competed as a member of the East Carolina University Golf Team starting lineup in every tournament during her four years on the team. She was named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team 2014 and recorded a scoring average of 75.33 for the 2014-2015 season.
Former winners of this prestigious award include: University of Arkansas’ Emily Tubert (2014), Michigan State University alum Caroline Powers (2013), North Dakota State’s Amy Anderson (2012), University of California graduate Pia Halbig (2011), University of Central Florida alum and current Epson Tour member Katie Detlefsen (2010), Duke University grad and LPGA Tour player Amanda Blumenherst (2008, 2009), University of Arkansas alumna and 2012 Rolex LPGA Player of the Year Stacy Lewis (2007), and the University of South Carolina's Erica Battle (2006).
The LPGA Foundation announced the Dinah Shore Scholarship Fund in March of 1994 in honor of the late Dinah Shore, Vanderbilt University graduate and an honorary member of the LPGA and LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. The Dinah Shore Trophy Award has contributed more than $174,000 to women's collegiate golf programs including this year.
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