Warren "Bullet" and Peg Kirk Bell Scholarship

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Peg Kirk Bell began playing golf at the Findlay Country Club (FCC) following her graduation from high school in 1939. Her golf game developed rapidly under the direction of long-time FCC pro Leonard Schmutte. She soon won the FCC Ladies’ Club Championship four straight times, won the Ohio Women’s Amateur Championship three times, and established herself as one of the outstanding female golfers in the country. She won the 1949 Titleholder Tournament, became a charter member of the LPGA, and piloted her own airplane to golf tournaments around the country. She was honored by the PGA of America in 2007 when she was named the First Lady of Golf. She has become a legendary golf instructor through her pioneer work in teaching the game to thousands of golfers of all ages.

Warren “Bullet” Bell was also a Findlay native. He was an outstanding football and basketball player at Findlay High School, graduating in the class of 1940. He attended Southern Methodist University on a basketball scholarship, but left school to serve in the Army during World War II. Following the war, he played professional basketball for the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. In 1953, he and Peg moved to Southern Pines, North Carolina and purchased Pine Needles Resort. At the time, the resort consisted of a classic Donald Ross golf course in need of repair, and an old Army barracks which served as the lodge. Through years of perseverance and tireless efforts, Bullet and Peg developed Pine Needles into one of the country’s leading golf resorts. Never forgetting their roots, the Bells were great ambassadors for their hometown and for the Findlay Country Club.

This scholarship, established in 2008 by the Findlay Country Club as part of their 100th anniversary celebration, is for a Findlay High School senior athlete who demonstrates perseverance and determination in overcoming significant adversity in his or her life.

Eligibility

• The applicant must be a graduating senior of Findlay High School.
• The applicant must plan to be a full-time student enrolled for his or her freshman year at an accredited college, university, community college, or technical school.
• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America.
• The applicant must have maintained a 2.75 GPA or above while in high school.
• The applicant must have lettered in a sport while attending Findlay High School.
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate uncommon perseverance and determination in overcoming or attempting to overcome some significant adversity in his or her life such as the loss of a parent, an injury, a physical condition, etc.
• Financial need is a requirement.
• Students who receive full tuition scholarship support from other organizations or institutions will not be considered for this scholarship.

This scholarship may be renewed for up to three (3) consecutive years:

• Recipient must re-apply each year to the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.
• Recipient has been and will continue to be a full-time student and demonstrates, to the satisfaction of Scholarship Selection Committee, normal progress toward the degree program of recipient’s choice.
• Recipient has not withdrawn or been expelled (however, personal tragedy may be considered as an exception).
• Recipient must maintain GPA that shows sufficient progress towards the degree of their choice with no failing grades.
• Recipient must demonstrate financial need.
• Students not meeting a requirement may submit information explaining the reason for the unmet requirement for consideration by the committee. Renewals with unmet requirements and explanations will be considered and approved or declined after selection committee review.