Robert Dedman, Sr.

Prior to his death in 2002, Robert Dedman was Founder and Chairman of the Board of ClubCorp, Inc., the expansive operator of more than 260 clubs, resorts and public fee golf courses, including the Pinehurst Resort.

His belief in success and the will to help others developed early, when as the son of a traveling salesman in rural Arkansas, an eighteen year-old Dedman vowed to make $50 million by the time he was fifty, and to give $1 million each year to charitable organizations. He achieved that goal, and his benevolence is exhibited in the many generous gifts he has bestowed on institutions of higher learning, including Sandhills Community College.

Dedman’s success and benefaction have been recognized with numerous honors bestowed upon him, including induction into the Texas Business Hall of Fame and the Number One Philanthropist Award from the Dallas Historical Society.

Twenty scholarships at Sandhills have been established in Dedman’s name. The Robert H. Dedman Scholarship for Culinary Arts offers ten scholarships to students enrolled in culinary competition classes. Students are required to complete an essay and demonstrate financial need, as well as meet a minimum grade point average of 2.5.

The Robert H. Dedman Scholarship for Hospitality and Culinary awards ten scholarships to culinary and hospitality students who compete for the scholarship through an essay contest. Financial need and a minimum grade point averages are considered.

Students should request to apply directly through their faculty within the department.