A few rain drops and cloudy skies could not dampen the enthusiasm of more than 140 golfers who showed up at the Elyria Country Club for the 33rd Annual LCCC Jack Nicklaus Scholarship Golf Benefit this past summer. It was one of the best turnouts to date for the event, which raised more than $125,000 for the LCCC Jack Nicklaus Scholarship Fund.
“While LCCC is ranked the most affordable college in Ohio for associate and bachelor’s degrees, more than 70% of our students need financial aid to continue their education," says Lisa Brown, executive director of the LCCC Foundation, which hosts the event every year. "The community’s generous support of this event provides scholarships for many of these students, so they can earn their degree or certificate.”
“At Lorain County Community College, it is our goal to help each student achieve their dreams and enrich our community,” adds Marcia J. Ballinger, president of LCCC. “Scholarship support through the LCCC Foundation, including the Jack Nicklaus Scholarship, helps students overcome barriers and focus on their education.
“Oftentimes, a scholarship can be the support a student needs to stay enrolled and complete their degree. With 90% of LCCC graduates finding rewarding careers here in Northeast Ohio, these LCCC scholarships provide a meaningful and lasting impact on our students and the community,” she adds.
Emmy Award-winning television host and PGA golf pro Jimmy Hanlin once again provided some fun and valuable golf tips for players throughout the day.
Hanlin was joined by Cleveland Sports Legends Mike Hargrove (Cleveland Guardians), Rick Manning (Cleveland Guardians), Austin Carr (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Campy Russell (Cleveland Cavaliers). The event also featured special guest and proud LCCC alumnus Tim Alcorn, radio voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Co-chairs for this year’s event included: Kent Hageman, senior vice president at Morgan Stanley; Don Knechtges, president of Business Visions Inc., and Todd Sommer, owner of Sommer’s Mobile Leasing. Dale Yost Construction was the presenting sponsor.
The Jack Nicklaus Scholarship Golf Benefit got its start in 1990, when LCCC Trustee Judge Joseph Cirigliano brought his close friend Jack Nicklaus to Lorain County for the first benefit. In return for his appearance, Nicklaus made stipulations for how the dollars raised would be used and the financial goals that needed to be met by the event.
Nicklaus wanted to be sure the event would support LCCC and the success of its students by donating 100% of his fees back to the LCCC Foundation, creating the Jack Nicklaus Scholarship Fund. Outside of events sponsored directly by the Jack Nicklaus Foundation, the LCCC Jack Nicklaus Golf Outing is the only event that is allowed to carry the famous golfer’s name.
LCCC students who will receive scholarship help are very appreciative.
“On behalf of my family and myself, we thank you for your generous donations,” says one student requesting anonymity. “Receiving a scholarship is strong motivation to keep up with the hard work of studying. I believe that giving people like you are setting us (students) up for success.”
“Thank you all for your donations ... I can continue my studies,” adds another. “You not only helped me, you have helped a whole family’s future.”