TORONTO – The Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) and Freedom 55 Financial have awarded the inaugural Freedom 55 Financial GJAC Journalism Scholarship to Kelly Hobson, a Masters of Journalism Candidate at Carleton University.
Hobson, who holds an undergraduate degree from Western University, and has interned at the Edmonton Journal, impressed the four-judge panel with her writing prowess and multimedia skills. “Kelly’s writing was a notch above all the other candidates,” said Jason Logan, editor of SCOREGolf Magazine and GJAC scholarship coordinator, noting she also submitted an outstanding radio feature. “She’s an excellent example of the great journalists Canada’s schools continue to produce.”
Hobson was ecstatic to receive the news. She receives $2,000 from Freedom 55 Financial for her efforts.
“It’s an honour to present Kelly with this bursary,” said Mike Cunneen, Senior Vice-President, Freedom 55 Financial. “We believe in supporting Canadians in achieving their goals and dreams today and tomorrow. This bursary will hopefully help Kelly as she continues to pursue her goals.”
“This bursary gives me not only the means to pursue some of the sports stories I want to tell, but also the confidence in my abilities as a sports journalist,” Hobson said. “Incurring costs as a freelancer is par for the course, but with shrinking newsroom budgets, every piece is now a risk with slimmer chance of reward. I’m indebted to the Golf Journalists Association of Canada.”
Hobson was also invited to attend GJAC’s annual Writing & Photography Awards ceremony and dinner this coming July at the historic Mississaugua Golf and Country Club.
Established in 2006, part of GJAC’s mandate is to promote golf journalism in Canada and recognize excellence in Canadian golf journalism. The focus of this scholarship was to encourage excellence in sports writing by student journalists across the country.