12
Dr. S. Roland Jones Student of the Year
Dr. S. Roland Jones was the first Director of the Mississippi State PGA Golf Management program. He served in this position until his untimely passing in 1997. Dr. Jones cared deeply for his students and challenged them to become better students and better people, knowing this would lead to successful PGA members. A mentor to so many, his legacy continues today on campus and throughout the golf industry.
The Dr. S. Roland Jones Student of the Year award bestows special recognition on a Mississippi State University PGA Golf Management student who has performed outstanding services as an overall PGA Golf Management student during their collegiate career. As the highest honor the Mississippi State PGA Golf Management program can bestow, candidates must possess outstanding qualities of leadership, strong moral character, and a substantial record of service to the program and the game of golf. Individuals honored with the Roland Jones Student of the Year award will be held as a model Mississippi State University PGA Golf Management student.
2018 Winner:
Robbie Fields
Robbie Fields (Senior), and Assistant Director, Zach Tate
"Receiving the Dr. S. Roland Jones Student of the Year Award is such an incredible honor. It is a testament to the leadership within the program, from staff to alumni to my fellow students and all that I have gained from them. Throughout my four and a half (now almost five) years at Mississippi State, I have been pushed to be the best me that I can be, and, without that, I would not be the man I am today nor have the opportunities I have experienced. This award is more than something I earned in 2018, but recognition of the growth I have experienced thanks to my mentors, employers, friends and family. I am a firm believer in hard work and being a life-long learner. These two beliefs have made a tremendous difference in my life and I hope that my fellow students can see that and learn from it. Sometimes you have to do things that may not be ‘cool’ in order to set yourself up for a success. I hope that in my time at MSU, and in my time going forward, I can make a similar difference that Dr. Jones made in so many PGA Professionals’ lives."