VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation adds Mike Wise Award to scholarship offerings

The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation, in partnership with the Virginia State Golf Association and First Tee - Roanoke Valley, has announced the creation of the Mike Wise Award, which will benefit a deserving high school senior with ties to that First Tee chapter. The inaugural scholarship will be awarded in 2023.

The award is named for Mike Wise, who spent 20 years as the Chief Financial Officer at Delta Dental of Virginia and was a longtime member of the VSGA Board of Directors. Wise died in December 2022 at the age of 72. Wise had a significant philanthropic impact on golf in the Roanoke Valley. He founded the Delta Dental Pro-Am for Kids and served on the boards of numerous non-profit entities in the Roanoke Valley, including First Tee – Roanoke Valley.

“Mike Wise's impact on First Tee - Roanoke Valley was tremendous,” said Jennifer Blackwood, Executive Director of First Tee – Roanoke Valley. “We will always be grateful for Mike's guidance and dedication to golf, children and improving our community.  We are honored that the Mike Wise Award will benefit a First Tee - Roanoke Valley participant and know this scholarship will be important to their continued education.”

The Mike Wise Award is the sixth named VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation Award, honoring contributors to golf in Virginia, including the Spencer-Wilkinson Awards, the C. Dan Keffer Award, the David A. King Award, the Red Speigle Award and the Richard Smith Award.

The VSGA-VIP Scholarship is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1984 that has awarded $2.7 million to more than 1,000 students with an interest in golf.

“The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation is grateful to be in a position to join with the First Tee - Roanoke Valley and the Wise family in honoring a man who has meant so much to his golf community as well as to the VSGA,” said Joan Gardner, President of the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation. “The scholarship application process currently is underway, with awards to be granted this spring to high school seniors throughout the state. We hope the establishment of this named award will bring special meaning and encouragement to students in the Roanoke Valley with an interest in golf to pursue their academic dreams as well.”

Added VSGA Executive Director Matt Smiley: “Mike Wise gave significantly to golf across Virginia through his service to and support of the VSGA and in the Roanoke Valley through his volunteer efforts and generosity to several important missions, including The First Tee - Roanoke Valley. We feel this scholarship continues the work that Mike did during his life by helping put young people in a position to succeed. We are excited to partner with the First Tee - Roanoke Valley on this scholarship and know that the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation will put it to good use."

Initial funding for the scholarship will come from First Tee – Roanoke Valley and the VSGA with the goal of having the fund endowed by 2027. Donors interested in supporting the fund can donate online at donate.vsga.org or mail a check to the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation. More information on the Scholarship Foundation can be found at vsga.org.