On Tuesday, thirty-six members spent the day mentoring 24 of the SCGA Foundation’s junior golfers as part of the SCGA Foundation G.A.M. E Day program. One of the Foundation’s rapidly growing programs, G.A.M.E. stands for Golf, Awareness, Education, and Mentoring. At these outings, youth are paired with members to spend a day playing golf, having fun, and getting some words of wisdom from an adult mentor.
“Mentoring has had a huge impact in my life. I have met several mentors through the game of golf and received college and career advice. Because of mentoring and the SCGA Foundation Scholarship, I am able to attend Columbia University in the fall with a concentration on Economics,” said G.A.M.E. Day participant and SCGA Foundation Scholar Roberto Rosas.
Participants for this event included ten SCGA Foundation Scholars along with other youth who were selected based on criteria including academic grade point average, participation and volunteer work with their junior golf organization, and membership in the SCGA Foundation Youth on Course program. Juniors from several programs including The First Tee of South Los Angeles, Pro Kids Golf Academy (San Diego), The First Tee of the Central Coast, and Grandfathers for Golf (Hemet) participated.
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G.A.M.E. Day is about building relationships. That's what life is about. It builds a bridge with the youth and the older generations,” says SCGA Foundation volunteer and former NFL defensive star Dwight Hicks.
In addition, upwards of $5,000 will be donated to the Foundation from individual Lakeside members who participated in the event. Kevin Gigax, Executive Director of the SCGA Foundation, adds, “We are very grateful that Lakeside members participated in our program and not only embraced it, but took it to the next level. Adding the fundraising element to this event will allow us to continue to expand and reach more youth.”
Lakeside’s President, Ron Stavert, says “I was truly impressed with the character qualities of the young men and women at our G.A.M.E Day. The two gentlemen that I had the privilege of playing with demonstrated respect for the game of golf, respect for the golf course, respect for their hosts, and most of all, gratitude for their opportunity to participate. I enjoyed talking with junior Brandon Dorsey and learning about his life. His excitement was contagious and prompted me to look at my life and path with a renewed sense of gratitude and humility. The G.A.M.E Day program is truly and outstanding program and everyone involved should be very proud of the impact being made on our youth in Southern California.”
SCGA Director and past Lakeside President Chris Wilson adds, “G.A.M.E. Day at Lakeside was a huge success. It was really fun to see kids of all ages truly excited to tee it up at our Club with complete strangers. Within minutes following introductions, strangers became friends and our terrific day was underway. By the time we finished, both the kids and their mentors were laughing about their rounds. Our members were left with a unique sense of contribution, which extended well beyond the donation they made to the Foundation. Many of the participants commented to me that they rarely have the chance to directly influence a chosen charity so playing golf with these kids was very special.”
View photos from the event HERE.
Click here for more information on the SCGA Foundation.
