U.S. Kids Golf Foundation awards 2026 scholarships in tribute to local student volunteers

Scholarships presented to graduating Pinecrest High School seniors

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation has named two members of the current graduating class of Pinecrest High School as recipients of their Volunteer Scholarship for the 19th consecutive year. Carter Lynn and Ava Vonderkall each received a $750 scholarship.

J.T. Stilwell, a 2012 U.K. Golf scholarship winner and representative for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, presented the awards in honor and recognition of the more than 600 World Championship volunteers during the recent Senior Night ceremony at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, NC.

This will mark the 21st year that the parent company, U.S. Kids Golf, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, has held the Championships on 12 of the Pinehurst area courses.

Chris Vonderkall, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, commended the Sandhills area volunteers and the student winners.

“Carter and Ava are the kind of student volunteers that the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation stands for,” said Vonderkall. “By awarding these scholarships, we are recognizing the large number of hard-working and selfless volunteers, without whom the World Championship would not be possible in Pinehurst for the past 20 years. We also appreciate the hard work and dedication of these students for what they have given to their local communities over many years and wish them well as they attend Old Dominion University and UNC-Chapel Hill.”

These scholarships are presented to students from the Pinehurst area who demonstrate exceptional citizenship, community service, willingness to serve as a volunteer and their involvement in extra-curricular activities.

Carter is the son of Robin Lynn and Jim Lynn of Pinehurst. His brother is Sparks, and Carter plans to attend Old Dominion University in the fall because of his interest engineering. His end goal is to be in the Navy or Air Force.

Setting up and breaking things down is a major part of any event and Carter has been involved in both for the past four years with U.S. Kids Golf. He has also been part of the transportation of equipment back and forth between courses.

Carter has volunteered for AFJROTC at Pinecrest and been part of the track and cross-country teams, as

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well as offering his time for the Sandhills Children’s Center and First Health. Additionally, he has accumulated 150 community service hours (and increasing) and managed to find time to visit all 50 states.

Carter says: “I have given extensive service to the community through volunteering, and this scholarship will put me in a better position after college to help whatever community I happen to be in. As Nelson Mandela said: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’.”

Ava is the oldest daughter of Kara and Chris Vonderkall of Pinehurst, who are also the parents of another daughter, Ella. She will attend UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall, majoring in Biology.

Vonderkall has been a member of the Pinecrest varsity women’s soccer and basketball teams and is also a member of the National Honor Society. Her participation in Morgan’s Message has shown her the strong importance of good mental health and she is an active member of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church where she feels confident in bringing the community together.

Ava has undertaken different tasks at the U.S. Kids Golf events since middle school, including registration, distribution of water and volunteer shirts and anything that comes up during a day. She enjoys meeting new families during the Parade of Nations (one of her favorite things) by helping to overcome the language barriers and continues to learn and contribute to this event. Her leadership skills and the ability of face challenges have become a meaningful part of her life thru the World Championships.

“I am incredible honored and grateful to receive this Scholarship from an organization which has meant so much to me,” said Ava. “Volunteering with them over the years has been a rewarding experience, and I have learned that a helping hand can make others feel at home.”

The mission of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is to introduce, develop and enhance the opportunities for kids to play the game of golf through instruction, positive family interaction and competitive play.

About U.S. Kids Golf

U.S. Kids Golf is the world’s leader in helping grow golf among youth and families. Founded in 1996, U.S. Kids Golf offers three distinct lines of equipment in up to 10 sizes. The U.S. Kids Foundation hosts more than 1600 tournaments globally – including the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship held annually in Pinehurst, N.C.; and its Coaches Institute includes over 1800 members around the world. The Foundation also owns and operates Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines, N.C., a “Living Laboratory” of golf’s best practices and newest ideas to make golf a better game for everyone. In both 2018 and 2020, U.S. Kids Golf was honored by the National Golf Foundation as one of the “Top 100 Businesses in Golf” based on influence, innovation, and social good, among other criteria.

Connect with U.S. Kids Golf: Website: www.uskidsgolf.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/USKidsGolf Twitter: www.twitter.com/USKidsGolfFDN Blog: www.uskidsgolf.wordpress.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/USKidsGolfFDN

May 29, 2026

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