Opportunity for High School Golfer at SCH

When passion meets purpose, real opportunity follows. This fall, SCH junior Asher Hawkins has been doing more than perfecting his swing; he’s using his love of golf to open doors for future student-athletes.

Through the CEL Venture Accelerator, Hawkins spent the semester championing the Wissahickon Scholar-Athlete Fund, a newly endowed scholarship that recognizes students who excel academically and athletically, with a special focus on golf.

The fund reflects SCH’s longstanding commitment to access and opportunity, joining more than 22 named scholarships within the school’s $54 million endowment. In the spirit of service and leadership, Hawkins authored the following piece for the First Tee – Greater Philadelphia newsletter to help identify and inspire future recipients—students whose character, values, and potential align with First Tee’s mission to build life skills and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

In the article, Hawkins introduces the scholarship fund’s first recipient, sophomore Addison Murphy:

The Wissahickon Scholar-Athlete Fund will provide need-based scholarships to one student who demonstrates strong character, leadership, and perseverance. Preference will be given to applicants from First Tee or similar youth programs in the greater Philadelphia area that use sports to teach life lessons. 

The fund’s creation has been led by SCH parent Ryan McDonald, Emery Maine Greenwood '06,  and varsity golf coach Francis Vaughn, whose coaching legacy includes years at the University of Pennsylvania and a deep commitment to mentoring young athletes. “This extraordinary fund will have an immediate and enduring impact,” said Vaughn.

The fund awarded its first recipient in the 2025-26 school year. The recipient, Addison Murphy ’28, is a First Tee golfer whose dedication to the game perfectly reflects the values the scholarship celebrates. Addison said, “There are lots of life lessons to be learned through golf. It can really help you later on in life. I definitely think that knowing how to play golf at a young age is a massive benefit in the future.”

For Addison, golf is as much about personal growth as it is about competition. “The values that First Tee teaches you, like being a good leader, pushing through challenges even though it feels like you can’t, and teaching that to other people—especially the younger classes—by combining it with something fun,” she explained.

SCH’s golf program enhances this experience, providing students with access to top-tier facilities like Sunnybrook Golf Club and Philadelphia Cricket Club, while practicing 27 to 36 holes each week to strengthen both skills and character. The team competes at a high level in the Inter-Ac league and qualifies for PAISAA State Championships. 

Through the Wissahickon Scholar-Athlete Fund, SCH ensures that students like Addison—who embody discipline, leadership, and community—can continue to grow and inspire others, both on and off the course.

For more information about the Wissahickon Scholarship, contact Jenny McHugh in the SCH Development Office.