MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- It’s already a well-established fact that the Women Fore Women Golf Tournament has grown at an exponential rate since the first time it was held in 2019.
On Tuesday afternoon during the annual scholarship presentation at the Hillcrest Golf Club, folks could see just how much the event has taken off.
From three scholarships worth $500 apiece five years ago to six scholarships worth $3,000 each this year, the tournament continues to support more and more young female athletes as they head off to post-secondary schools this fall.
“I think it’s really great, it gives women opportunities to support other women in athletics and education and I think it’s a great opportunity to help fund education and athletics in a way that can’t always be done,” said Kate Waldenberger, a member of the city champion Vanier Spirits basketball team who while be pursuing a nursing career at the University of Regina and Sask Polytech.
“It’s amazing how these ladies have done it and been building for so many years to help women and they’re really helping make a change with their support.”
Moose Jaw Ice standout Macy Litzenberger will be off to Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, Ill. to play fastball while taking business and accounting. If that school sounds familiar, it’s because 2023 Women Fore Women recipient Katie Newberry also plays for the Cavaliers fastball team.
“I think it’s a great way to support girls in sports in the community and I’m very grateful for it,” Litzenberger said, adding that receiving the award came as a surprise. “I was super excited, I didn’t know if I had a chance or not, but I’m really happy to receive it and I know the money will be put to good use.”
Fellow Moose Jaw Ice veteran Ava Unser will be travelling the furthest from home out of the six recipients, as she’ll take the field with Dayton State in Florida, studying kinesiology while suiting up for the NJCAA Falcons.
“One of my good friends from Regina is actually down there, and I met the coach at a showcase tournament and I really liked the way they coached, so it just came together from there,” she said in explaining how she ended up in Florida.
“It’s an honour to be one of the few girls to receive this scholarship after hearing how many people applied for it, just how they support us because there aren’t many scholarships for female athletes. I like to encourage younger girls to do the same and keep playing so they can have an opportunity like this, too.”
Given the success the Ice fastball programs have had over the last few years, it should come as no surprise that a third player from the program was honoured with the award, as pitcher Hailey Molde will head down to Bismark State and will play for the NJCAA Mystics while studying criminal justice.
Molde touched on an important part of the scholarship, with the award helping each of the athletes with the myriad expenses surrounding post-secondary education.
“I think it’s a really good opportunity to receive it, it’s an honour.” said Molde, a Vanier graduate. “I was really excited when I heard I was chosen, it was really good news. Schooling is expensive, and I’m excited to go down there, but expenses are always hard. So it’s exciting to be offered this scholarship.”
Peacock track and field standout Nikolina Kapovic will be heading off to the University of New Brunswick next fall and will look to turn her record-setting distance-running exploits into similar success on the USports stage.
“I was so happy when I heard and I really appreciate the opportunity, I think it’s just awesome that they do this for female athletes,” said Kapovic, who will be studying psychology. “It’s amazing that they’re giving us opportunities to receive awards like this and it really helps with our future, getting us off to a good start where we’re going.”
Peacock’s Jillian Polupski will continue her standout volleyball career with the Medicine Hat Rattlers of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, joining Moose Jaw products Malea Kletzel and Taylor Rosenau in the process.
“I feel so honoured to have it, I think it’s a great opportunity for young female athletes,” said Polupski, who will be taking education. “I feel like we don’t have a lot of these and it’s great to have the support of the community and how they believe in us. I really appreciate it, it’s amazing and I’m so honoured to be a part of it.”
The 2024 Women Fore Women Golf Tournament is quickly filling up, with 82 of the 100 available spots filled as of Tuesday afternoon.
The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10, with the entry fee at $100 for Hillcrest members and $120 for non members, with the fee including golf, a post-tournament meal and tons of prizes.
For more information and to register, contact the Hillcrest Golf Club at (306) 693-1921.
