Mack Edwards of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Sahana Mantha of Charlotte, North Carolina, have been named the 2024 recipients of the USGA-AJGA Presidents’ Leadership Award, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) announced.
The USGA-AJGA Presidents' Leadership Award was created to recognize one male and one female junior golfer who demonstrate leadership, character and community service through their involvement with the Leadership Links program – a joint initiative founded by the USGA and AJGA in 2005 to further develop junior golfers through volunteerism.
About Mack Edwards
For Mack, golf has always been more than just a sport; it’s been a way to give back and make a real difference in the lives of others. A junior at Woodberry Forest School, Mack has been a part of the Carolina Cup for a total of four years and has led it for the past two.
The Carolina Cup is part of the AJGA’s Cobra PUMA Golf ® State Cup Series which is a unique junior golf series that provides competitive junior golfers development in important life skills such as charitable giving, leadership, and teamwork.
This Ryder Cup-style event is close to his heart, raising funds for the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, the HV3 Foundation and the Liberty National Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant. In 2022, Mack took on the role of tournament host and added his mark by moving the event to Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, North Carolina. Since then, he’s raised over $158,000, bringing his total contributions to an incredible $226,000.
As the tournament host, Mack isn’t just the face of the event; he’s involved in every detail, from securing the venue to gathering a field of 24 juniors, each raising at least $2,000. Running a golf tournament of this scale while balancing school and personal commitments hasn’t been easy, but it’s something Mack is deeply passionate about. His hard work has helped these foundations continue their mission, and he’s proud to be part of something that extends far beyond the game.
“Raising nearly $180,000 this year for the Carolina Cup was an incredible milestone, bringing my four-year total to over $225,000. Over the years, as both a player and host, I have learned that what I do for the Carolina Cup is far bigger than me or any other player. I am excited to host the Carolina Cup for a third-year next year and continue giving back to others.” – Mack Edwards
Outside of golf, Mack is also a Peer Leadership Council (PLC) mentor at Woodberry Forest School, where he helps guide first-year students through what can be an intimidating time. He has found this to be a rewarding experience, watching his group navigate new challenges and grow as people throughout the school year.
Looking ahead, Mack is excited to continue his journey at the University of North Carolina, where he plans to keep using golf as a way to help others. The Carolina Cup has taught him that it’s not about the accolades but also, it’s about the people he can support and the difference he can make.
About Sahana Mantha
Sahana has always given back to others, but in 2014 her impact increased dramatically. She and her sister founded Foundation for Girls (FFG) with a simple goal: to support homeless mothers and their children. What started as tutoring sessions and delivering bread to shelters has since grown into something much bigger, impacting the lives of over 2,700 women and children across 14 states. FFG focuses on empowering young women through programs like Financial Well-Being, Career Journey, Digitally Forward and Circle of Care, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to build a better future.
As the leader of programs like Digitally Forward, Sahana empowers young women by providing them with laptops and essential tech skills to help them secure better jobs and improve their financial situations. She also spearheads Circle of Care, which distributes care packages to single mothers and their children. These efforts are rooted in a deep commitment to supporting those who are less fortunate. Sahana and her team have raised an incredible $400,000 through grants and donations.
“Starting the Foundation for Girls with my sister was driven by our grandmother's wish and it has truly changed my life. Ten years later, we've been able to give back to over 2,700 women and children. I owe it all to my teachers, the FFG team, the coaching team and family so I can be a student-golfer and continue giving back to the community.” – Sahana Mantha
While Sahana balances her studies at Providence Day School, she also finds joy in playing golf, a sport she started in 2019. Her experiences at FFG have shaped her approach to the game, teaching her valuable lessons about perseverance and teamwork. During COVID, Sahana created a virtual network of coaches and players who communicated via Slack channels and Zoom. This allowed players to still get individualized support even during the most difficult of circumstances.
For Sahana, FFG isn’t just about charity; it’s a personal mission. Watching the transformation of young women from uncertainty to stability fills her with purpose. She believes in the potential of every girl to achieve her dreams and is determined to pave the way for others, just as she has been supported along her path. With a heart full of gratitude and a desire to uplift those around her, Sahana continues to inspire change, both on the golf course and in her community.