Juliana Hong of Norman North and Benson Diehm of Norman High School are the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame’s scholarship recipients for 2026.
Hong, who will be attending and playing collegiately for Columbia University in New York City in the fall, and Diehm, who will continue his career at the University of Texas-Permian Basin, will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
“Juliana and Benson stood out in a deep field of very impressive applicants this year,” said Tom Jones, chairman of the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame Board. “We want to thank all of those that applied and it’s always refreshing and encouraging to see the talented and dedicated young men and women coming out of our Oklahoma high schools. Congratulations to Juliana and Benson on their many accomplishments on and off the course.”
Maggie Roller, chair of the scholarship committee, also praised the committee’s selections.
“Benson and Juliana are two wonderful recipients of our Oklahoma Hall of Fame scholarships,” Roller said. “They both exemplify the spirit of the game of golf through their exemplary character, commitment to giving back to their communities, discipline in the classroom and on the course, and years of participation in OGA, WOGA, and OJGT events. They will represent our Hall of Fame exceptionally well.”
The two will be honored at the 2026 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame Classic on Aug. 17 at Southern Hills Country Club. Information on the tournament is available at www.oklahomagolfhof.org.
Hong, a National Merit Finalist who has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while competing successfully at all levels, won the Class 6A state championship in 2024, the WOGA Junior Girls in 2025 and the OGA Junior Girls Stroke Play Championship in 2025. High school coach Butch Roberts calls her one of the hardest workers he’s ever met.
“Juliana will represent Oklahoma golf with integrity, humility, and pride — and she will make you proud.” Roberts wrote.
Hong helped found the Norman Share & Grow Kids Golf Club to introduce younger players to the game.
Diehm, the valedictorian of his class with a 4.0 GPA, has been the captain for the Tigers’ 6A Academic champions the past two years. This year, Norman had a combined team GPA of 4.0.
Diehm earned a starting spot for Norman as a freshman and helped that team to the 6A state championship. He has won at the high school level and on both the Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour and Texas Junior Golf Tour. UT-Permian Basin is a budding NCAA Division II power and Norman coach Gregg Grost said Diehm has unlimited potential to improve his game there and wind up at a Division I school with aspirations of playing professionally.
“He’s one of those special young men that understands how school, athletics, community and family have to all work together,” Grost said. “The sky is the limit for him. He doesn’t have any limitations on how far he can go as a player and person.”
