Two Grady College students named GWAA Scholarship Recipients

Anna La, a fourth-year marketing major in the Terry College of Business, and Evan Waldman, a third-year journalism major, have been named as this year’s Golf Writers Association of America Journalism Scholarship recipients. Both students are earning their Sports Media Certificate through Grady College’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

Anna La and Evan Waldman were selected by a seven-judge panel and will receive $5,000 apiece to apply toward the 2026-27 academic year. La and Waldman also will be invited by the GWAA to attend one of golf’s marquee professional events in 2027 so that they can work alongside golf media and network with their future colleagues.

The Herbert V. Kohler Jr./GWAA Journalism Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of the longtime chairman and CEO of Kohler Co., who died in 2022 and whose manufacturing and hospitality company built a golf empire in Wisconsin.

Below are excerpts from interviews with Anna La and Evan Waldman.

What motivates you?

Anna: Being a first-generation American and a first-generation college student, I know the value of hard work, so I have always had a strong sense of motivation and drive. I constantly want to be the best version of myself that I possibly can; someone I can look back on and truly be proud of. Having a positive impact on any community that I am a part of is also very important to me.

Evan: I think what motivates me is having success later in life to the point where I can provide for my loved ones around me. I also just want to make those who care about me proud of what I am accomplishing all throughout my life.

What is one achievement you are proud of?

Anna: One of my biggest recent achievements was stepping outside of my comfort zone this past summer to do an internship with Callaway Golf in California. Moving across the United States and living there on my own without ever having visited California or knowing anyone there was a major turning point for me. I had never lived that far from home, for that long, on my own. 

Even though it was challenging at times, I am so glad that I was not too afraid to take that chance that I know I worked so hard for. It ended up being such a life-changing experience for me and I left with lifelong friendships, incredible mentors and opportunities that I will never take for granted. 

Honestly, the things that have scared me the most in the moment have ultimately led to the most growth for me, so I am proud that my mindset is growing comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

Evan: One thing I am proud of is my coverage of the World Cup this past summer for USA Today. I’m particularly proud because I didn’t necessarily know what to expect going into the trip just because a number of unknown aspects (what the day-to-day agenda would look like, would I like my classmates who I was living with for 20 days, etc.) In the end, it all worked out fantastic, but what really makes me proud of myself is the fact that I wasn’t a big soccer fan going into this summer so I wasn’t sure if I would thrive in covering a sport that I was new to. In the end, I wrote 18 articles in 20 days and covered 4 games at Monterrey Stadium including the 1000th match in FIFA’s history and a phenomenal round of 32 thriller between the Netherlands and Morocco.

What are your career goals?

Anna: My career goal is to work in digital marketing within the sports industry or within the health and wellness sector.

Evan: I’m still figuring out what I want to do with my career but I can firmly say something in the sports media world. My experience this past summer made me realize how much I enjoy the day-to-day grind covering sports and the fact that sports are so unpredictable makes everyday different. I’m still gaining experience in the journalism world so I cannot say what I exactly want to do but I am continuing to hone my skills both on camera and writing along with other things.

How do you define success?

Anna: I define success as a combination of continuous personal and professional growth and having an impact on those around you and your community. Success is about constantly challenging myself to learn, stepping out of my comfort zone and knowing that my work contributes positively to something I am genuinely passionate about.

Evan: I define success as being able to provide for my loved ones and those that have poured so much into me in my first 20 years of my life. Also, success to me is being happy when I go to work. I never want work to feel like work… I want to love what I do to the point where it feels almost enjoyable. When people are miserable at work, it makes daily life so much more hard when work is one of the few things we can control in our life.

Who or what has had the greatest impact on your academic and professional life?

Evan: My parents have made a profound impact on my entire life, both academically and professionally. Their constant support and guidance is unmatched and I would be nowhere close to where I am without them. Additionally, the Carmichael Sports Media Institute professors are fantastic guides to all of their students to the point where it becomes a family all looking for success for one another. Specifically, Professor Carlo Finlay has made a massive impact on my career thus far with his guidance for what he thinks is best for me and can allow me to gain hands-on experience in different areas. I first met Carlo when I was a sophomore in high school and since then he has been a constant person to go to if I have any questions about my professional life.

What led you to apply for the GWAA scholarship?

Anna: Since I have a strong interest in golf media and see myself having a future in the industry, I felt I would be the strong candidate for this opportunity.

Evan: I first learned of this scholarship through the Sports Media Program’s Slack channel and I’ve always had a love for golf and being the men’s golf reporter for The Red & Black made sending in an application a no-brainer. I felt like I had a small chance to win this scholarship, so I was a little surprised when I did but obviously the joy and gratitude for the GWAA are through the roof.

Editor: Sarah Kate Maher, skm01341@uga.edu