For Madison Arendt, the Yates Scholarship is not just a tool to help obtain her degree; it is tradition.
The Yates Scholarship Program provides educational opportunities for employees, or their dependents, of GSGA Member Clubs. These scholarships are awarded based on financial need, character, academic achievement and work experience at a GSGA Member Club.
Arendt has two older brothers, Jackson and Carter, both of whom are Yates Scholar recipients.
Through their father’s long-time commitment to working at member clubs, the Arendt’s have been able to send all three of their children through the Yates Scholarship program.
“It has been so special to be able to have this experience together,” said Madison Arendt.
Madison, a rising junior and economics major, is the youngest. Carter is a rising senior looking to pursue a career in real estate, and Jackson, a recent University of Georgia graduate, is entering the insurance field.
Arendt followed in her brother’s footsteps, attending UGA. Starting out as an environmental science major, she quickly realized that was not the path for her and pivoted to marketing.
After joining the American Marketing Association on campus, Arendt decided that was not the career she had in mind either.
“I am so glad I had the time to explore things,” said Arendt.
It was through trial and error and the flexibility the Yates Scholarship provided that she finally settled on economics.
“Because I had a little extra money from the Yates Scholarship, I haven't had to worry about a part-time job to pay my bills during the school year,” said Arendt. “Being relieved of that financial burden has been a big game changer.”
Arendt has since found a passion for teaching and helping others, something she says the scholarship has also aided.
When asked to help lead a study group or aid in one-on-one tutoring sessions, Arendt says, “It is always a yes.”
Arendt accredits her freedom to explore all avenues as a student to the scholarship.
The Yates Scholarship also afforded this freedom to her brothers as well. Arendt has been fortunate enough to watch both of her brothers go through the scholarship process and utilize its resources throughout their time in college.
Arendt’s dad, Jim Arendt, is the director of golf at Bull Creek, Oxbow Creek and Godwin Creek Golf Courses in Columbus. His dedication to the golf community qualified the Arendt family for the Yates Scholarship.
“As a parent of three Yates Scholars, I am forever grateful to the GSGA,” said Jim Arendt. “The qualities of my children that have assisted them in becoming Yates Scholars are: respect, preparedness, effort, hustle, kindness, timely humor, integrity, honesty, servant spirit and the drive to accomplish goals.”
Not only has golf benefited the Arendt family through resources like the Yates Scholarship, Jim says that golf has been pivotal in raising his kids.
“In the back nine of my life, my children have benefited greatly through golf as Yates Scholars,” said Arendt. “They have seen my service to others through golf and have surely learned life lessons.”
As Madison continues her degree at Georgia this fall, she looks to better utilize the opportunities and resources afforded by getting out of her shell, networking and finding where she belongs.