2024 USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award: Finalists
2024 USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award Finalists Announced
12 junior golfers recognized as finalists for prestigious award
The American Junior Golf Association and the United States Golf Association (USGA) are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award.
The USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award was created to recognize one male and one female junior golfer who demonstrate leadership, character and community service through their involvement with the Leadership Links program – a joint initiative founded by the USGA and AJGA in 2005 to further develop junior golfers through volunteerism.
The finalists for the 2024 USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award are:
Girls
Ryan Donaldson of McAlpin, Florida (2026)
For the past four years, Donaldson has been creating and distributing blessing bags filled with snacks, water, and essentials for the homeless, which she expanded to include blankets and warm clothing during winter. Inspired by her mother’s teachings about the importance of serving others, she began volunteering at a young age, helping in soup kitchens and participating in various charitable initiatives. As a Junior Coach at The First Tee of Lakeland, Donaldson realized the significant impact she could have on younger players through mentorship. Recently, she initiated efforts to support women in a local domestic violence shelter and helped organize a charity golf tournament to raise awareness and funds for the cause. Donaldson’s experiences highlight that golf can be a powerful platform for change and emphasizes that volunteerism is crucial to the sport’s future.
Brianna Kirsch of Lancaster, Wisconsin (2024)
Kirsch hosts a fundraiser where junior golfers raise money for the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund, which supports childhood cancer research. This will be Kirsch’s third year participating and so far, she has raised over $5,000 while playing two days of 36 holes at Whistling Straits. She believes that golf is more than just a sport; it embodies a cultural heritage and community spirit, with volunteerism being essential to its growth and sustainability. Through Kirsch’s involvement in local youth golf programs and charity tournaments, she helps instill values like integrity and perseverance in young golfers. Kirsch strives to make a meaningful impact on and off the course and wants to contribute to a legacy of positive change.
Emma Lindemoen of Prospect, Kentucky (2025)
The Upward Basketball Program is one of the most rewarding organizations that Lindemoen works with. The program hosts over 200 children in grades K-6 for a basketball league. As a referee for kindergarten games, Lindemoen helps teach kids about sportsmanship and teamwork, which also enhances her own skills as a golfer and teammate. Being a part of her high school’s state champion golf team and serving as captain for two years has helped strengthen her leadership abilities, as Lindemoen strives to be a role model for her peers. Additionally, Lindemoen participates in the Mason Cup, a fundraising event that supports the Mason Goodnight Foundation. This foundation supports youth sports in Kentucky, and she has helped raise over $60,000 for this cause.
Sahana Mantha of Charlotte, North Carolina (2025)
As co-founder of the Foundation for Girls (FFG), Mantha, along with her sister and mentors, have built a community to support homeless mothers and their children. With 75 coaches and 250 volunteers, the foundation focuses on empowering young women through their four-pillar programming: Financial Well-Being, Career Journey, Digitally Forward, and Circle of Care. This includes providing laptops for tech training and distributing care packs. Over the past decade, they’ve impacted 2,700 women and children across 14 states, enabling many to transition from homelessness to stability. Mantha’s work emphasizes community collaboration, and she leverages technology for remote support. Inspired by her grandmother and motivated by the low economic mobility in her city, Mantha strives to help marginalized young women build resilience and confidence. Mantha’s leadership role in FFG has enriched her journey as a student-golfer, teaching her the importance of persistence, teamwork, and giving back. As Mantha pursues her passion for golf, she is also dedicated to increasing access and opportunities for girls in the sport while advocating for equity in athletics.
Raleygh Simpson of Kerrville, Texas (2024)
For the past two years, Simpson has participated in the AJGA Texas State Cup, raising funds for the Liberty National Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant Program and CapCityKids, a nonprofit that supports homeless children in Austin. Additionally, she has been involved in Swing for the Cure in San Antonio, which raised over $13,000 for educators and their families affected by cancer. As a dedicated scholar-athlete, Simpson embraces service opportunities through Student Council, Honor Society, and the Antler Leadership Club, where she helped organize a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In her roles with Young Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Simpson helps engage teammates and classmates by showing them what it means to be a servant. Currently, as treasurer of the Interact Club, she coordinates community support initiatives, such as providing water for local events and packaging food for Rise Against Hunger. Simpson also helped deliver teacher appreciation gifts to staff members on Valentine’s Day to thank them for their hard work.
Sarah Mingwei Sun of (Canada) Brooklyn, New York (2026)
In 2023, Sun founded the China International & Bilingual Schools Team to raise funds for the AJGA’s Liberty National ACE Grant program. The team quickly expanded and helped to raise over $32,000 through five fundraising events. As the president of the Shanghai American School Golf Community, Sun initiated fundraisers that provided custom TaylorMade golf bags and gear for both campuses. She also participates in Stepping Stones, a nonprofit that helps teach English to kids in rural areas, and has been teaching third-grade students for two years. Sun’s experiences have shown her that volunteerism and philanthropy play a crucial role in shaping communities and the game of golf.
Boys
Mack Edwards of Charlotte, North Carolina (2025)
This year, the Carolina Cup raised nearly $180,000, and Edwards had the honor of leading the fundraising efforts, bringing his four-year total to over $225,000. This two-day Ryder Cup-style event raises money for three foundations: the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, the HV3 Foundation and the AJGA’s Liberty National ACE Grant. After committing to his dream school, the University of North Carolina, it reinforced Edward’s desire to support others in achieving their dreams. The Carolina Cup represents a chance to contribute to something far greater than himself, making it one of the most fulfilling responsibilities Edward’s has undertaken. He is also a part of the Peer Leadership Council at his school, in which Edwards mentors first-year students to help guide them as they transition into the school.
Jonathan Moon of Ellicott City, Maryland (2025)
Over the past decade, Moon’s journey with the First Tee program has transformed him from a participant into a mentor where he now guides younger golfers in developing both their skills and values. Inspired by the role models he had growing up, Moon strives to create a welcoming environment for kids aged 7-9, ensuring they enjoy the game while also learning golf etiquette. In 2023, Moon completed a 72-Day Challenge, raising $2,211 for junior golf programs, and is now embarking on a “72 Courses Challenge” to raise $7,200 for The First Tee, Youth On Course and the AJGA’s Liberty National ACE Grant. Moon’s goal is to inspire new junior golfers through fundraising efforts while balancing his competitive aspirations in golf.
Anthony Purcea of Buford, Georgia (2024)
Since the age of eight, Anthony’s journey in his church brass band has profoundly shaped his musical skills and commitment to community service. This experience instilled in Anthony the values of teamwork, discipline, and dedication, which has carried over to his passion for golf. Balancing his musical commitments with fundraising for the AJGA’s Leadership Links program and pursuing competitive golf has been transformative. Through Leadership Links, Anthony has seen how golf can empower underprivileged youth, providing them with confidence and opportunities. His philanthropic efforts, whether through music or golf, highlight the impact of giving back.
Sam Rice of Huntsville, Alabama (2025)
Philanthropy has been a cornerstone of Rice’s life, instilled in him by his parents from a young age. As a freshman, Rice began volunteering with Free2Teach, a local charity that provides free teaching supplies to educators, allowing him to support teachers in a community where many struggle to afford necessary materials. Rice has volunteered over 75 hours with the organization and through the Leadership Links platform he has helped raise over $1,000 for them. Golf has been a significant part of Rice’s journey, helping him to set personal goals as well as providing an outlet to relax and focus on his mental health daily. Balancing golf, school, church and volunteer work has taught Rice valuable lessons in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, preparing for college and his future in the sport.
Maxwell Short of El Cajon, California (2024)
Since December 2021, Short has been an active member of the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) Leadership Council, where he was elected Community Engagement Chair in March 2023. His role involves assisting the SCGA Foundation in partnering with new golf courses, contributing to application reviews and supporting initiatives for Youth on Course (YOC), which aims to provide affordable golf opportunities for over 140,000 junior golfers nationwide. As a Youth on Course Guide since June 2022, Short educates juniors on golf etiquette and rules while participating in the DRIVE Program, which promotes diversity and inclusion in the sport. Short also holds various leadership roles, such as Key Club Treasurer and is a member of the Student Advisory Council.
Leo Simon of Scarsdale, New York (2025)
Since 2022, Simon has volunteered monthly with Filling in the Blanks (FITB), a nonprofit combating childhood hunger by providing weekend meals to children in need. He helped integrate FITB into Brunswick’s Community Service Day, enabling over 20 additional students to participate. Additionally, Simon organized a successful golf charity event that raised over $20,000 for FITB and the AJGA’s Liberty National ACE Grant. Simon also represented FITB at his school’s community service fair and plans to enhance his fundraising efforts and build on last year’s AJGA event at the Connecticut State Cup Series event. At the AJGA event last year, Simon helped raised enough money to feed 10 students weekend meals for an entire year.
