Through partners like The Outpost Foundation, the AJGA looks to have an impact with members beyond their junior days. The Outpost Foundation offers scholarships to individuals who are currently involved in the great game of golf. It is their goal to assist ambitious students who have shown an appreciation for this sport by assisting in the costs of their college education.
Who is the Outpost Foundation?
The Outpost Foundation is a 501(c) non-profit organization that was founded to carry out the charitable endeavors of The Outpost Club and its members. The “OC” is a national golf society, with a generous membership, who want to “Play Well, and Do Good” by giving back to the game. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to promote awareness and raise financial support for charitable and educational causes in the US through golf.
What is the Outpost Scholarship?
The Outpost Scholarship is awarded annually to individuals who are currently involved in the great game of golf. It is our goal to assist ambitious students who have shown an appreciation for this sport by assisting in the costs of their college education. Over the past two years, we have awarded scholarships to students from Florida Gulf Coast University, Penn State, Campbell University, New Mexico State University, Howard University, University of Massachusetts, and the University of Idaho. You can find all of our recent scholarship recipients here: https://outpostfoundation.org/2023-scholarship-recipients
The Outpost Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications here.
Joshua Siplin is a recipient of The Outpost Foundation scholarship. It has allowed him to focus on golf and taking the next steps in his career.
Outpost Foundation (OF): How did golf enter your life?
Joshua Siplin (JS): I first got introduced to golf when I was around 3. My dad would take me along with him while he got his golf lessons. After a couple of lessons, he bought me a set of snoopy golf clubs and put me in the Orlando Minority Youth Golf Association. From there, I grew up in that program and won a couple of junior events and I was able to be a part of the Winter Park boy's high school golf team that won states in 2018. I accepted a scholarship to play at Howard University, being a part of their Inaugural Men's D-1 golf team.
OF: What has the Outpost Foundation meant to you?
JS: The Outpost Foundation Scholarship has not only provided me with the ability to financially support my academia, but it has also made me hold myself to a higher standard as I understand that I am a part of a foundation that represents so many incredible individuals.
OF: Where do you see yourself in 10+ years & what would a successful career look like to you?
JS: My successful career as a golfer, as I see it, is making the PGA Tour. As for Mechanical Engineering endeavors, I plan to get my MBA and hopefully, after my time on tour, own an affordable housing company. Either way, I want to give back by starting a foundation like the Outpost Foundation, which I owe a lot of my success to because of their financial support during my college years.
OF: What are your immediate plans towards that goal? Any challenges you foresee?
JS: My immediate plans for golf are to help Howard University’s golf team win the NCAA golf tournament this year and perform well to increase my amateur ranking. The biggest challenge will be for me to not worry about outcomes but to just focus on enjoying the process.
OF: Can you briefly describe your most memorable golf experience?
JS: Our team winning the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship by 57 strokes last year.
OF: How about proudest individual golf accomplishment?
JS: Coming second in the Inaugural Southwest Invitational in Dallas last fall, broadcasted on the Golf Channel. I hadn’t played my best in the weeks prior, so I had to trust God and my abilities. During the second round I was 4-over on the front nine, but I regrouped and stayed present to shoot 6-under on the back to keep me in second place going into the Final round. Additionally, in the final round, I had to call a penalty on myself on the 15th hole, but I finished the last 3 holes 1-under. I was proud of my mental composure throughout the tournament.
OF: How’s the game currently?
JS: The game is currently trending as the spring season is quickly approaching. I am working through a couple of swing changes, but my game feels the best it has ever felt.
OF: Best golf tips for hackers like us?
JS: Control the controllables.
You can catch more of Joshua & the Howard University Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams (including Outpost Scholarship winners Kendall Jackson & Morgan Horrell) on ESPN’s acclaimed four-part documentary series entitled, “Why Not Us?” by clicking here .