Tag: Earl Woods Scholar Program

Although my academic career at Pitzer College has come to an end, my learning journey will not. Two weeks prior to graduation, the foreseeable future was ironically still abstract and difficult for me to grasp. It brought me a feeling of excitement and nostalgia, encouraging me to reflect on my last four years at Pitzer College and six years as an Earl Woods Scholar.

Within two and a half weeks, I realized the significance and impact of friendship on the other side of the globe. I have had friends back home for years, many of whom I met during my first two years at Stony Brook University in New York. However, the ones I met throughout my study abroad experience in Florence, Italy were memorable. These friends were significant because through them and my short time abroad, I came to realize something about myself and learned exactly how I was meant to live my life.

Determined and driven since birth, Hector Pantoja, an alumnus of the Earl Woods Scholar Program, conquered language barriers, overcame insecurities, proved doubting teachers wrong and excelled through college.

The summer of sophomore year can be a very difficult time in the life of the average college student. Between choosing a discipline and finding a career, there is an overwhelming amount of pressure on the student to find a project that will help them further their professional goals. For many, summer plans usually involve taking on internships, doing research or enrolling in summer courses while others decide to work or take trips around the world. During the summer of my sophomore year at the University of California, Berkeley, I had the privileges of doing a little bit of both. Through my Anthropology class, I spent several weeks exploring, working in and experiencing the breathtaking beauty that is Peru.

Last fall,TGR Foundationwelcomed 25 college freshmen to the Earl Woods Scholar Program. Each scholar is matched with a dedicated mentor who will support and guide them through their college years and beyond. The mentorship component of the program has proven to be both valuable and memorable for our students, particularly those that leave home for the first time.

A few short weeks ago, our ninth annual Earl Woods Scholar Program Winter Workshop brought together nearly 80 scholars from coast to coast. Among them was New York University senior Andres Guerrero, who gave a heartfelt speech at the graduation celebration luncheon, a hallmark of the Winter Workshop.

The unforgettable experiences at TGR Live events extend beyond players and fans. Students and educators have unique opportunities to connect, learn and share their stories. Earlier this year during our Genesis Open tournament, Andy Ho, an Earl Woods Scholar and sophomore at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), had the opportunity to sit down with our founder, Tiger Woods. Andy had a chance to flip the script, putting Tiger in the hot seat and learning about his days at Western High School, Stanford University and his golf career. Learn more about Andy’s journey and watch his interview with Tiger.

This summer, the Earl Woods Scholar Program held its annual summer socials and mentor orientations in Anaheim, Boston and Washington, D.C. While a virtual introduction had been exchanged between the new mentors and their scholars, the summer socials and orientations are the first in-person meetings for the pairs.

The MetLife MatchUp recognizes players who have overcome challenging situations on the golf course throughout the PGA season. Our founder, Tiger Woods, advanced to the final round with a chance to earn $750K for TGR Foundation.

Founded in 1996 as a means to provide more for children who have less, TGR Foundation transforms young lives with innovative science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum, college-access programs and digital initiatives. The MetLife Matchup winnings can go a long way in helping TGR Foundation support underrepresented youth throughout the world.

In our latest Scholar Voices feature, we hear from rising Lehigh University junior Tsion Taye. A Washington, D.C. native and an Earl Woods Scholar, Tsion takes us inside her first two years as a college student, highlighting some memorable life experiences. Proceeds from tournaments like next week’s Quicken Loans National help us provide the support and resources necessary for students like Tsion to achieve their dreams.