Hampshire Country Club welcomed Thursday the 16th annual Cass County Sheriff’s Office Golf Outing, which awarded 11 Cass County students with $500 scholarships.

More than 30 teams braved the rain to play some golf and reward local students with scholarships, which focused on their outstanding community service and school records.

After getting off to a delayed start due to morning rain, the annual community event continued. The scholarship recipients, as part of being chosen, worked the event and helped golfers on the course.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a delay in the 16 years we’ve done it, but it went well,” Undersheriff Rick Behnke said as golfers wrapped up their last holes.

The event began as an idea by Sheriff Joseph Underwood, who wanted to find a way to bring together the department and the community. Through $500 scholarships to any Cass County student, the program would culminate in a golf outing of local business owners and community members.

“We’re giving eight new scholarships and three repeat scholarships this year,” Behnke said. “If a student who attends SMC (Southwestern Michigan College) applies for their sophomore year, we consider them and usually award them a second time.”

The recipients this year include Lauren Krueger, Arminda Dussel, Alyssa Fritz, Jessica Holmes, Haley Davis, Whitney Donaldson, Lila Cox, Rachael Kidman, Ashlie Herman, Alyssa Jacobs and Rachel Mroz. The total amount of scholarship money awarded reached $5,500.

“This is great,” Behnke said of being able to recognize local students. “We’ve usually got a waiting list every year and it’s a good way to get the students involved with the community.”

Dussel, a sophomore at SMC for medical assisting, is a second-time recipient of the scholarship. She said the opportunity helps with school expenses.

“They that school was No. 1 for me,” Dussel said. “I’ve helped the sheriff with Halloween parties and I also completed 32 hours of community service for school.”

Dussel said the scholarship helps keep her and her family from having to spend more out-of-pocket expenses.
“That’s $500 I can save myself from spending,” Dussel said. “It feels great to get it.”