Manahawkin Teen Awarded Prestigious Golf Scholarship

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Madelyn Beirne has achieved a lot in her short life. The 2024 Southern Regional High School graduate was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 10. Now, the multi-talented student athlete has been awarded a prestigious golf scholarship.

The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), announced Beirne as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Peter A. Famiano Memorial Scholarship. Beirne was recognized at the 16th Annual New Jersey Golf Foundation Peter A. Famiano Memorial Pro-Am, on June 13 at Trump National Golf Club, in Bedminster.

Famiano was the Head Golf Professional at Crestmont Country Club for over 35 years. In his honor, the NJGF created the Peter A. Famiano Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes worthy New Jersey junior golfers for their professionalism, integrity, volunteerism and willingness to help others, according to the NJGF. The $2,500 annual scholarship is open to college students of any class year, provided they continue to meet the standards set forth by the NJGF Scholarship Committee. The Committee reviews all applications using the following criteria: scholarship achievement, qualities of character and leadership, financial need, volunteer history and future in golf.

At Southern Regional, Beirne was was a four-year varsity winner on the women's soccer and women's golf team. Now, she heads to Montclair State University, where she continues her athletic career on the women's soccer team and aspires to join the women's golf team.

With a long history of volunteering, Beirne has a passion for mentoring younger students and providing peer leadership. Additionally, after being diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 10, Beirne dedicated herself to be an advocate for David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation.

“Peter Famiano was always committed to helping others, and it’s rewarding for the NJGF to support the continuing education of a deserving student-athlete,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, New Jersey Golf Foundation. “Madelyn is a multi-sport student-athlete who excels in the classroom, has demonstrated a commitment to community service, and has battled and beaten cancer head on. I know Peter would be proud to help support her next chapter.”

Beirne is also the secretary for the National Honor Society and a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society in French.