Mars graduate and former Planet golfer Victoria Witouski was recently awarded two scholarships due to her dedication to the game.

TREESDALE — Victoria Witouski's passion for golf, both playing and teaching it, has been rewarded.

The recent Mars Area High School graduate, who will continue to play at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, recently received a financial boost toward college. She was one of two recipients of the inaugural Frank Fuhrer Junior Golf Scholarship and also received the Deacon Palmer Scholarship through her work with First Tee of Pittsburgh.

They are worth $5,000 and $2,000, respectively.

“I found out I got the scholarships within weeks of each other,” Witouski said. “This is pretty exciting for me.

“I hope to continue to challenge myself in college. I always want to keep improving and believe that the best is yet to come.”

It was during her eighth-grade year that Witouski became involved with First Tee, which according to the program's website: “is a non-profit youth development program that delivers life skills and character education to young people ages 5-18 through the game of golf.”

Witouski began volunteering with First Tee her freshman year while continuing with her role as a student, for which she devoted approximately 200 hours over the last four-plus years to complete the Ace Program.

Her golf game was the focus during much of that time, but she also put in hours of community service. Last October, she raised over $2,000 in donations for completing a golf marathon, which entailed golfing 72 holes in one day at Connoquenessing Country Club. The money was used toward an appreciation night for First Tee's volunteers, held at North Park.

“People were very generous with their money,” said Witouski. “Most of the people working with First Tee are volunteers, there's about 100 of them. First Tee made me the golfer I am today.”

Witouski's own volunteer work currently involves teaching the game and mentoring several kids at Mars-Bethel Golf Course. She's there from 5 to 7 p.m. every Thursday.

“It's a great opportunity for me to give back to the game that has given me so much,” she said. “To help the next generation of golfers, it's been really rewarding for me.”

Witouski began golfing at the age of 6. She was a four-year letter winner for Mars' varsity girls team.

“She helped us win many matches over that time,” said Mars coach Ralph Jockel. “Her senior year, she really showed her leadership skills by mentoring the new golfers and helping them improve. She was a real asset to the team.”

Witouski qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A championship tournament three of her four years with the Planets.

“I enjoyed my time on the high school team,” added Witouski. “I formed lasting friendships and it was an opportunity to help the other girls with their game and make sure they had the right mentality.”

She competed in several Tri-State PGA Junior tournaments this summer, placing first by carding a 76 at Slippery Rock Golf Club in June.

Witouski aims to earn a pharmacy degree in college.

“I see myself playing golf for the rest of my life,” she said. “I really enjoy the game.”

Victoria is the daughter of Mark and Marci Witouski.