Rilee Hilliker will be a rising first year at Mississippi College pursuing a degree in Biology and playing for their women’s golf team. Hilliker hopes to attend medical school after college in order to one day become a pediatrician.
“Receiving this year’s AGA Scholarship is such an honor! I have felt supported by the AGA at every event I’ve played in, and I’m so grateful to have their encouragement and aid,” said Hilliker. “I hope to make the AGA proud as I continue to further my education and better my golf game over the next four years!”
Jessa Usery is an incoming first year at Auburn University. While attending, Usery will be pursuing a degree in Agricultural Communications. She hopes to attend law school after earning her bachelor's degree and work towards her goal of employment in the U.S. Department of State.
"I am extremely grateful and honored to be receiving an Alabama Golf Association Scholarship! It truly means a lot to me that the AGA believes in my future, both in golf and academically,” said Usery. “I’m excited for the opportunities this scholarship will provide and hope to honor the AGA throughout college."
The third recipient of the 2025 AGA College Scholarship is Annamarie Thompson. Thompson is a previous scholarship recipient, 2021, and attended Mississippi State University where she recently received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical/Medical Engineering. As well as completing her Bachelor of Science, she completed Mississippi State University's College of Business MBA Venture Pathway. Thompson will be attending Duke University in the fall to pursue her PhD in Molecular Biology. Thompson will receive $3,000 a semester to help reach the goal of earning her PhD.
Thompson expressed that "receiving continued support from the Alabama Golf Association has played a significant role in my ability to further my education. Over the past four years, the AGA College Scholarship has enabled me to fully focus on my academic and research pursuits, helping prepare me for the challenges of a doctoral program. The extension of this scholarship into graduate school provides the financial security to fully dedicate myself to excellence in both research and coursework. I’m deeply grateful for the AGA’s support and their continued investment in my future."
Chris Marr, scholarship committee chair and AGA board member, and Mary Dean Gray, scholarship committee member, have each played a pivotal role in leading the AGA College Scholarship initiative since 1993. Alongside Marr and Gray through the selection process was AGA President Joey Dzwonkowski, AGA Vice President Susan West, AGA board member, Joey Holley, and AGA Manager of Golf Operations & Championships, Karl Yergey. Through a thorough academic, athletic and values based process, the committee selected Hilliker, Usery, and Thompson to be the 2025 AGA College Scholarship recipients.
Effective in 2022, the AGA Women’s Scholarship, now called the AGA College Scholarship, is open to both male and female applicants. Started in 1993 by the Women’s Alabama Golf Association (WAGA), and later transitioned to oversight by the Alabama Golf Association with the merger in 2010, the program has provided over $410,000 in scholarships to young golfers. Since 1993, the program has supported students across Alabama in their pursuit of post-secondary degrees.
The purpose of the AGA College Scholarship fund is to provide financial assistance to young golfers to support their successes in higher education. Selected students will receive $3,000 per semester for eight consecutive semesters toward their academic aspirations.
The program is funded through golf tournaments, fundraisers, and individual and club donations. Visit the Alabama Golf Foundation page to learn more about how you can donate today and support golfers in higher education.
The AGA Scholarship fund currently supports seven students, in addition to this year's recipients.
Visit the AGA College Scholarship page for more information about the funding goals, recipients and upcoming opportunities.
About the Alabama Golf Association (AGA)
The Alabama Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1915 whose mission is to serve and promote amateur golf in Alabama. AGA membership consists of 120 member clubs represented by over 30,000 individuals. The activities and services of the Alabama Golf Association are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Alabama golfers who wish to serve the game and the association through service. A full-time professional staff of seven individuals handles day-to-day activities.
Based in Hoover, the AGA is the USGA's Allied Golf Association in Alabama conducting national championship qualifying, administering the World Handicap System including the GHIN Handicap service, course & slope rating, and Rules of Golf & Handicapping education. The AGA annually conducts 24 championships; team match competitions for men, women, junior and seniors; and the AHSAA high school golf championship. The AGA manages the Junior Golf Alabama program that is a joint venture between the AGA and Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section.
In addition to competitions, the AGA administers the AGA Scholarship Fund through the Alabama Golf Foundation that is dedicated to assisting young golfers in higher education. Additionally, the Alabama Golf Foundation supports the Youth on Course Alabama program providing facility access to junior golfers and provides funding for the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. In 2016, the AGA earned the Gold Tee Award for “Outstanding Tournament Operations – Small Association” by the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA).
Since 1980, the AGA has managed the affairs of the Southern Golf Association which includes conducting the historic Southern Amateur Championship and Southern Junior Championship, in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the Southern Golf Association.
For more information about the Alabama Golf Association, visit www.alabamagolf.org.
Media Contact:
Mikayla King
Director of Media, Marketing & Communications
Alabama Golf Association
205-803-6524
mikayla@alabamagolf.org
