To kick off Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic week, Brook-Lea Country Club hosted the 12th annual Future of Women’s Golf Pro-Am best-ball scramble on July 16, followed by the Danielle Downey Memorial Scholarship reception.
Just like the golf tournament, the scholarship is set-up to honor Danielle Downey’s legacy and impact in the community. Downey, who died January 30, 2014 following a car accident, grew up in Spencerport and developed her game at Brook-Lea Country Club under golf professional Jon Hoecker. She went on to play collegiately at Auburn University, then competed on both the Symetra and LPGA Tour. Most recently, Downey had been part of the Auburn women’s golf coaching staff.
A group of 27 hand-picked current and recently graduated top local high school students participated in the festivities, alongside Symetra Tour professionals and amateur sponsors.
The recipient of the scholarship fund was Aquinas Institute of Rochester graduate Vanessa Fulmore. She was awarded a $2,500 scholarship by Erica Setzer, one of Downey’s three sisters. In addition, another $2,500 was donated to a charity of Fulmore’s choice.
“This honestly means the world to me,” said Fulmore. “Being able to help spread the game of golf to younger girls who love the game, and seeing what I’m doing is making a difference in their life and in the lives of so many, being that role model that they can look up to is amazing.”
One of three minority female golfers in Section V of the Rochester City School District last season (all of whom graduated last month), Fulmore started a “20/20” youth golf program for female students in grades three through six at School 20. It gives a new generation of female golfers a chance to learn the game. She selected some of the donation to go to her outreach, as well as the Elizabeth Wende Breast Care clinic.
“To be able to do this in her name and to be able to carry this on for high school girls and then give Vanessa the special, special night, it just means everything,” said Mike Vadala. “That is why you do this stuff, there is no other real reason.”
Furthermore, Setzer and family provided Fulmore with eight sets of golf clubs and many other essential items for the program to keep growing, from tees to balls. In the fall, Fulmore will begin attending the College of Saint Rose, where she will study special and elementary education, all while being a member of the women’s golf team.
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