News Room
The Club Foundation Names Two Inaugural University of South Carolina Scholarship Recipients
Alexandria, VA—The Club Foundation announces the inaugural recipients of the University of South Carolina Scholarship, a program established in 2026 to support current students and alumni of the University of South Carolina who are pursuing careers in club management.
Initiated by generous donors of The Tree Farm, a golf club located just outside of Aiken, SC, this scholarship fund was inspired by the value of connections between higher education and the club management profession. Students and emerging leaders benefit when clubs and educational institutions collaborate.
The inaugural recipients of the 2026 University of South Carolina Scholarship are:
Nico Degabrielle, Rising Senior, University of South Carolina
Christian Emenecker, May 2026 Graduate, and Food & Beverage Manager in Development, Charlotte Country Club
This innovative scholarship program recognizes the importance of building a strong talent pipeline by providing awardees with flexible benefits tailored to their stage of professional development. Recipients may choose from several options, including tuition assistance for current students, registration and travel expenses to attend the CMAA World Conference, registration and travel expenses to attend the CMAA Leadership/Legislative Conference (LLC), or registration fees for Business Management Institutes (BMI). This flexibility allows recipients to maximize the value of the scholarship while supporting their continued growth throughout their careers.
"Congratulations to our inaugural University of South Carolina Scholarship recipients," said Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, President and CEO of The Club Foundation and CMAA. "Investing in students and emerging professionals today strengthens the future of the club management profession. We are deeply grateful to generous donors from The Tree Farm whose commitment to developing talent helps ensure the next generation is prepared to lead our industry forward."
The Club Foundation is committed to developing the next generation of club management professionals through scholarships, education, and leadership development opportunities. The University of South Carolina Scholarship reflects that commitment by expanding access to meaningful career experiences and professional education for aspiring club leaders.
About CMAA
The Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established by CMAA in 1988. The Foundation seeks to fund the life cycle of a club manager’s career, providing financial support for five key areas: students, faculty, club managers, CMAA Chapters, and the club industry at large. It supports the advancement of club management professionals, funding industry education programs through scholarships and grants. Donations to The Club Foundation are essential to the continued success of the club industry and support club management professionals at every stage of their careers. Since 1988, The Club Foundation has awarded more than $8.5 million in scholarships and grants to provide individuals with professional development opportunities, education and research, and essential training. Learn more at cmaa.org.
About The Club Foundation
Founded in 1927, the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association for managers of membership clubs with 8,700 members throughout the US and internationally. Our members contribute to the success of more than 2,600 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town, and yacht clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote relationships between club management professionals and other similar professions; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to provide the resources needed for efficient and successful club operations. Under the covenants of professionalism, education, leadership, and community, CMAA continues to extend its reach as the leader in the club management practice. CMAA is headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with 38 professional chapters and 45 current and prospective student chapters. Learn more at clubfoundation.org.