It is always a special day when students, staff and supporters of the UNLV PGA University program gather for the Mathew S. Anderson Scholarship tournament. Held at TPC Summerlin, the event raises scholarships funds for the program. Four endowments are supported and include Mathew S. Anderson, Paudie O’ Connor, Susan Ann Sky Holmes and the Southwest Section PGA.
Notable Alum and Top 40 Teacher Matt Henderson is always inspired by the day and makes it a mission to give back to the program. The program’s impact on his life is ongoing.
“The UNLV PGA is a past, but it’s also a present and a future,” says Henderson, who teaches at TPC Las Vegas. “It’s just a part of who I am, of where I came from. I want to do so much to help them in the future. It means a lot to me.”
The event’s namesake was a UNLV PGA student lost too soon. And now, the Anderson family welcomes the idea of the other endowments being supported by the event.
Anderson, 24, of Las Vegas, passed away May 15, 2010, at Sunrise Hospital, after a short illness. He was a 2004 graduate of Faith Lutheran High School and a Professional Golf Management student at UNLV with a heart of gold. He had just started a summer internship at Red Rock Country Club. Matthew loved the game of golf and especially loved working with children. He was looking forward to graduation and a career as a golf professional. As part of Matthew’s degree requirements, he had completed a number of summer internship assignments. One of his most rewarding summers was spent working with young golfers in the First Tee of Southern Nevada program.
“Matthew was such a genuinely nice person and a caring individual who really wanted to make his impact in junior golf and help others enjoy the game,” says Dr. Chris Cain, UNLV, Director, PGA University Program.
Moe than two dozen students have been helped by the scholarships over the last several years. The tournament was sold out.
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