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MIDLOTHIAN — The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of three new named scholarships to its roster of offerings for 2026—the Linda A. DiVall Award, the Jake Allison Award, and the Ned Baber Award.
“The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation is gratified by the extraordinary generosity of the Jake Allison family, the Ned Baber family, and of Linda DiVall in establishing three new named award scholarships,” Foundation President Joan Gardner said. “Such awards are a vital part of our mission to enhance the educational opportunities for Virginia’s youth with an interest in golf. While the annual revenue from VSGA-VIP cards is our bedrock, donations that establish major named awards ensure we will be able to acknowledge and support outstanding student golfers well into the future.”
Another named scholarship, the Benny Wang Trust Award, was previously announced in June and will also go live in 2026.
The Linda A. DiVall Award will be the third $10,000 award offered by the Foundation, joining the C. Dan Keffer and Spencer-Wilkinson Awards. It will go to a deserving student with stellar academic performance who participates in VSGA events. DiVall, a longtime member at Mount Vernon Country Club, served as President of the VSGA’s Women’s Division from 2008-09 and later served on the VSGA’s Board of Directors after the Women’s Division was integrated into VSGA governance in 2015.
DiVall is also an accomplished competitor who has won six VSGA individual championships, including three VSGA Senior Women’s Amateurs. She’s also been part of numerous winning Mount Vernon entries in the VSGA Women’s State Team Matches.
“I was fortunate to learn the game of golf early in life and first experienced the VSGA as I was starting my career,” DiVall said. “Competing in VSGA tournaments and serving on the VSGA Board of Directors allowed me to view all the opportunities the VSGA offers its members.
“The VSGA Scholarship Foundation has done a terrific job over the years of rewarding scholarships to accomplished students. The value of a college education is a life-changing experience, and I simply wanted to instill that belief in the amazing scholars we have here in Virginia by playing a small part in providing college assistance to a well deserving student.”
The Jake Allison Award is a $7,500 scholarship to be awarded to an academically strong, active VSGA participant from southwest Virginia.
Allison, who died unexpectedly at 61 in March shortly after beginning his first term on the VSGA Board of Directors, was an accomplished golfer who won the Virginia High School League Class AAA individual championship during his junior season at Roanoke’s Northside High School. After one year at Old Dominion University, he transferred to Virginia Tech, where he became the Hokies’ captain and the school’s first Academic All-American in 1985.
Allison also found success in VSGA championships, pairing with former Hokies’ teammate Mark Teachey to win the VSGA Four-Ball title in 1995. Allison spent his entire professional career in the Roanoke area, retiring in 2022 as vice president and controller for Norfolk Southern. Giving back to golf in Southwest Virginia was important to Allison, who was enshrined in the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame in 2017.
“Creating this scholarship provided me the opportunity to honor Jake and his love of golf, as well as continue his efforts to support and grow golf in Virginia,” said Pam Allison, Jake’s wife.
The Ned Baber Award will be a $5,000 award given to a deserving student from Southwest Virginia with an interest in golf.
Baber was a six-time VSGA champion, including a victory in the 1960 VSGA Amateur Championship. He also won a pair of VSGA Four-Ball titles (including one with Vinny Giles in 1969), along with three super senior titles later in his life. He was equally active as an advocate of the game. Baber helped form the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and served as the Hall’s Executive Director for 37 years. During his tenure, the RVGHOF awarded college scholarships exceeding $1.5 million to young adults in the greater Roanoke Valley. Baber (1982) and his son Miller (2010) were both inducted into the RVGHOF.
"The Baber family is proud to present this scholarship through the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation in honor of Ned,” Miller Baber said. “Throughout his life, he gave back tirelessly to the game he loved, and during his time as Executive Director of the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame, the organization took special pride in awarding scholarships to young adults in the Roanoke Valley with an interest in golf. Ned's commitment to helping students reach their academic goals will continue through this award and we look forward to meeting future recipients."
The Benny Wang Trust Award is named after Benny Wang, who was a proud Michigan State alum who had successful career stops at Deloitte, PWC, SAP, and Manugistics. Benny’s drive extended beyond the boardrooms and onto the greens when he discovered a passion turned obsession for golf. Whether it was for work or play, Benny’s enthusiasm for doing what he loved, having a good time, making new friends and making friends feel like family are a few of the reasons he was beloved by so many. Unfortunately, he lost a battle to cancer and his life ended way too early.
The hope for the Benny Wang Trust Award is to honor a deserving junior golfer that embodies the true spirit of Benny, shares his passions, and demonstrates the desire to spread the joy of the game to others alike.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation now offers 11 dedicated awards, with amounts ranging from $5,000-$10,000, with the new offerings joining the C. Dan Keffer Award; Spencer-Wilkinson Award; David A. King Award; Red Speigle Award; Richard Smith Award; Mike Wise Award; and the VSGA Military Scholarship.
For more information about the VSGA VIP-Scholarship Foundation and its awards, visit the Foundation’s home page at VSGA.org. Those with an interest in establishing a named scholarship should contact Courtney Hamlett at the VSGA at (804) 378-2300 ext. 15 or cjones@vsga.org for more information.