Student Wins First Golf Writers Scholarship

Texas Golf Writers Association secretary and treasurer Burt Darden, left, presents a $1,500 check to Sam Houston State senior Brandon Autrey. Autrey was the recipient of the first TGWA scholarship.

The scholarship committee of the Texas Golf Writers Association has selected Brandon Autrey, a senior at Sam Houston State University, as its inaugural TGWA Scholarship winner.

Autrey, who has worked for The Huntsville Item for the past two football seasons, will receive $1,500 to apply toward education costs.

Autrey, who covered Coldspring High School football games in 2000 and Madisonville High last year, is a former sports editor of The Houstonian. He also spent one summer as editor in chief of the student newspaper at SHSU. He also interned last summer in the public relations office at Sam Houston State.

Brandon Autrey's credentials... Won first place in the SHSU sports writing competition in the spring of 2001 Took second in the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association's Division 2 sports feature writing competition in the spring of 2001 Recipient of The Houstonian scholarship during the 2000-01 school year.

"Brandon is a talented and hard-working student," said SHSU director of public relations Frank Krystyniak. "He certainly deserves this scholarship.

"This is also an achievement that reflects well on Sam Houston State University. Brandon is the first person selected by the Texas Golf Writers Association for this scholarship, and his competitors included nominees from some of the other great universities in the state, such as the University of Texas."

The TGWA scholarship committee made a wonderful selection in Autrey, said Burt Darden, secretary and treasurer for the golf writer's group.

"Brandon is a polite, articulate young man who shares a passion for writing," Darden said.

Brandon needed the $1,500 scholarship, Darden reported. He works four nights a week at a Quizno's sandwich shop on Sam Houston Avenue to help pay the bills. The scholarship will enable him to attend summer classes without taking out a student loan.

Autrey is a golfer. His best score ever is 78. But he usually shoots between 85-95, which makes him a kindred spirit with most of the members of the Texas Golf Writers Association.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Feb. 13, 2002
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