The Golf Performance Center (The GPC) – a world leader in junior golf innovations, integrating player development, premium technology and facilities with industry thought leaders – have awarded scholarships to Jackie Lu and Asher Katz, winners of the Foster Cup and Ouimet Cup, respectively. Katz, 8-years-old, is a Ridgefield resident.
The Foster and Ouimet Cup Series is a yearlong competition for The GPC athletes to accumulate points for a chance to earn scholarship awards, which subsidize the cost of training in the following Academy year. Points are earned through academic achievement, community service, high performance in The GPC eligible events, completed practice assignments and overall leadership and commitment to the founding principles of The GPC.
“The Foster and Ouimet Cup Series serve as not only a competition for our athletes but a way to recognize and reward the area’s top performing student-athletes,” says The GPC founder Roger Knick. “Both Jackie and Asher exemplify what it means to be an athlete at The GPC, demonstrating throughout the year the ability to compete at a high level while juggling and excelling in academic and community responsibilities.”
In her 2019-20 campaign, Jackie Lu of Scarsdale, NY collected two victories and four top five finishes en route to all-state honors and the 2020 Foster Cup Championship. The Foster Cup champion is awarded a 90% scholarship for the 2020-21 Academy year and a brand-new set of irons.
“It was a little tough not being able to practice or play during most of the spring due to COVID-19, but I feel like I made the best of the situation with attending online workouts and golf practices,” says Lu, a sophomore at Scarsdale (NY) High School. “I really appreciate all the coaches and staff at The GPC for working to keep programs running, even during a pandemic. I don’t think I would have improved as much if it weren’t for that.”
The 2020 Ouimet Cup Championship capped a stellar year for Scotland Elementary’s (Ridgefield, CT) Asher Katz, which included eight wins, 13 top fives and the opportunity to represent the United States in four international events, finishing in the top-25 in each tournament. Katz continued to make memories outside of competition with a hole-in-one that was highlighted by the European Tour and Golf Digest. The Ouimet Cup champion is awarded a 40% scholarship for the 2020-21 Academy year.
“I have worked really hard on my golf skills and mental game over the past 12 months and I am thankful to have the support of a great facility, coaches and peers to help me grow,” says Katz, class of 2028. “I will continue to put in the work to play the best golf I can while being a good role model for others. I hope to play college golf one day and am confident that The GPC and its process will give me the tools to do that.”
For more than 20 years, The GPC has successfully guided nearly 100 competitors as they prepare for golf at the highest levels. Alumni include multiple NCAA All-Americans, current and former student-athletes at 80 different colleges and universities and professionals who have won on the Korn Ferry Tour, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and European Tour.
Located in Ridgefield, Conn., The GPC integrates state-of-the-art training facilities and expert coaching to help athletes reach their goals. Beginning with the one-of-a-kind “5 Elements of Success” evaluation, the academy delivers customized instruction designed to provide aspiring golfers with tools for long term success.
To learn more, visit www.thegolfperformancecenter.com.
