Crosby Scholars Invitational
The Crosby Scholars Community Partnership – an organization of 11,000 students, 250 volunteers and 14,000 alumni, is the thriving legacy of the magic of The CROSBY. In 2023, the generosity of our sponsors and community raised over $354,000 to ensure that every public school student in Forsyth County will be prepared academically, personally and financially for college and for life!
Last Year, You Made This Happen!
- Enrolled over 11,000 students in Crosby Scholars in grades 6-10.
- Crosby Scholars students reported more than 44,500 hours of community service.
- 1,054 seniors graduated attending 141 colleges and universities across the nation and around the world.
- We awarded more than $933,620 in Last Dollar Grants and Scholarships to students.
Crosby Scholars Celebrates 30 Years of Success
17th Annual Crosby Scholars Invitational Raises $354,000+
Crosby Scholars celebrated its 30th graduating class at the 17th Annual Crosby Scholars Invitational Golf Tournament and raised more than $354,439 for Last Dollar Grants and programs.
“Thank you for the strong support you’ve given this program for many years,” said Paul Fulton, who was instrumental in forming the Crosby Scholars Community Partnership in 1992 with proceeds from The Crosby Celebrity Golf Tournament. Fulton said that in 2022, Crosby Scholars awarded $911,0000 in Last Dollar Grants and scholarships and leveraged more than $8 million for students to continue their education after high school. More than half of Crosby Scholars are under-represented, and over 20 percent are first generation college students, he said.
The Crosby Scholars Program is the legacy of Kathryn Crosby’s decision to honor her husband and move The CROSBY National Celebrity Golf Tournament, the longest running charity golf tournament in the nation, to Bermuda Run in the 1980s. Although Kathryn was unable to attend this year, she sent a video message.
Her daughter, Mary Crosby, with husband Mark Brodka, represented the Crosby family this year.
“We are deeply, deeply grateful for what you have done as a community to support our children,” Mary said. “Because of this golf tournament, you have changed the lives of over 35,000 students. Each of you is part of this legacy that is making Forsyth County a community of opportunity.”
Forty teams competed in this year’s invitational, with 180 guests at the Sponsor Dinner at Old Town Club, sponsored by First Horizon Bank, and 250 attendees at the Breakfast of Champions at Bermuda Run Country Club, sponsored by Ridge Care Senior Living.
Sponsor Dinner speaker Don Martin, Chair of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, previously served for 19 years as Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. He highlighted the impact of Crosby Scholars programming, noting that it provides college visits, workshops, parent and family support, financial aid, and a requirement for community service that benefits students and the community.
In 2023:
- 100 percent of Crosby’s 1,054 seniors graduated and enrolled in 134 colleges and universities.
- Crosby Scholars expanded its one-to-one advising program beginning with the Class of 2024 to start in the spring of junior year.
- Crosby Scholars began an outreach program for students in foster care, LIGHHT, with funding from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Martin said that COVID exacerbated Forsyth County’s already-existing income gaps, and less-educated workers lost ground. Forsyth County awarded Crosby Scholars funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for focused outreach to negate those impacts on vulnerable populations.
“Clearly, education beyond high school is essential for success in this state and beyond,” he said.
Martin served on a committee in 1996 that unanimously selected Mona Lovett to lead Crosby Scholars. As President & CEO, Lovett has led the Program’s growth from serving 1,500 students in two high schools to serving 11,000 students annually in all WS/FCS middle and high schools, including 17 high need, Title 1 schools, as well as partnering charter schools.
“She has assembled an outstanding team and developed one of the most successful college-going programs in the country,” Martin said. “You embody the power of this program.”
Lovett announced that Gilmour Lake was the 2023 recipient of the Angel Award, which Kathryn Crosby created to recognize individuals for the work they do to help the Crosby Scholars Program.
“We thank him for all his wisdom and care, not just for Crosby Scholars but for all the community,” Lovett said.
- Kathy Norcross Watts, Crosby Scholars
17th Annual Crosby Scholars Invitational Photo Gallery
