FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2026
RecruitPKB Scholarship Granted to Two Student Athletes in Second Annual Awarding
Greensboro, N.C. — The Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour (PKBGT) and its RecruitPKB initiative are proud to announce the latest recipients of the RecruitPKB Scholarship, an annual scholarship to support aspiring junior girls golfers’ academic and athletic dreams. In the second annual year, we are excited to announce that the RecruitPKB Scholarship has grown to include not only the original large sum of $1,000, but also a secondary $500 amount available to a second recipient.
The awardee of the $1,000 scholarship is Julia Capellini, a student-athlete signed to Western Carolina University. The recipient of the $500 scholarship is Ella Kate Barnett, a student-athlete signed to Anderson University. The two awardees of this scholarship embody the mission of the PKBGT, both on and off the golf course.
The RecruitPKB Scholarship was established in 2024 through the vision and generosity of Brandi Jackson, a former collegiate and professional golfer who now leads RecruitPKB, the PKBGT’s premier college recruiting consulting program. The scholarship will provide a one-time awards to support Capellini and Barnett in their freshman year of college, beginning this fall.
“As someone who depended on numerous types of scholarships to attend Furman University and pursue my dream of playing college golf, establishing a women’s golf scholarship has always been a deeply personal goal,” said Jackson. “In 2024, with the launch of my own charity golf tournament, that vision became a reality. This initiative was created to support and empower young women who are following a similar path — using golf as a platform to pursue higher education, leadership, and personal growth.”
We extend our sincerest gratitudes to those that make these scholarships possible, uplifting the next generation of women golfers.
“None of this would be possible without the generous support of donors through my charity golf tournament — and because of that generosity, we were proud to award an additional $500 scholarship this year,” Jackson said.
Both Capellini and Barnett stood out among a competitive group of applicants thanks to their impressive academic performance, dedication to community service, and leadership.
“This year’s applicant pool was incredibly competitive, making the selection committee’s decision no easy task. But Julia and Ella Kate rose to the top — each embodying exactly what this scholarship was created to recognize,” said Jackson. “Congratulations to you both. We are so proud of you and cannot wait to watch your futures on and off the course!”
The RecruitPKB Scholarship represents more than financial support — it is a recognition of resilience, excellence, and the opportunities golf presents for life-changing impacts on junior girls.
About RecruitPKB
RecruitPKB is a comprehensive college recruiting consulting program offered through the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour. Led by former LPGA professional and collegiate All-American Brandi Jackson, RecruitPKB helps guide junior female golfers through the complex college golf recruiting process, offering personalized support, education, and mentorship to empower the next generation of student-athletes.
More about Brandi Jackson: https://recruit.pkbgt.org/about-brandi-jackson/
About the PKBGT
The Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour is an initiative of Girls Golf of America, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation aimed at increasing learning and playing opportunities for youth golfers. Based out of Greensboro, North Carolina, the PKBGT offers affordable, high-quality nationally-ranked girls’ golf tournaments designed to prepare junior girls’ golfers for high school and collegiate golf. The PKBGT is the nation’s largest “girls’ only” junior tour with over 1,100+ members in 2025 and 1,000+ girls having played, playing in, or committed to playing collegiate golf.
Learn more about the tour at pkbgt.org or by contacting Tour Director Mike Parker at mparker@pkbgt.org or 336-347-8537.