Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan Contains 54 Holes of Golf

November 06, 2023

The Sepulveda Basin is the largest public open space in the San Fernando Valley and contains 54 holes of public/municipal golf, which includes Woodley Lakes GC, Encino GC and Balboa GC. Due to surrounding neighborhoods significantly lacking green open spaces, the City of Los Angeles launched the Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan Project to establish a long-term strategic plan for the future of the Basin.

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The initial Vision included options to eliminate 9, 18 or 27 holes of golf from the Basin’s current 54-hole layout. However, the recent release of the “Draft Plan” indicates the City’s intention to retain all 54 holes of golf.

Additionally, the maintenance of those 54 holes that are to be improved in three ways:

• The “refresh/upgrade” of Woodley Lakes GC
• The re-routing of those holes on the Encino Golf Course that are the first to flood when the LA River’s waters are diverted during heavy rainfall events
• The repurposing of the unused acreage surrounding much of the three Basin golf courses as natural habitat.

The ”Plan” is now so beneficial to this bulwark of San Fernando Valley public golf that the SCGA was able to issue a hearty endorsement of it in the Los Angeles Daily News. The SCGA will issue a formal comment to that effect along with a suggestion that we believe will be well received to consider the construction of a junior golf/developmental golf similar to the Tregnan Golf Academy in Griffith Park within the footprint of the current Woodley Lakes Golf Course – a “comment” that we also believe will have the full support of the city’s Recreation and Park Department.

Those of you with appetite for reviewing the full 272-page “Draft Plan” thereon can click here to review the Homepage of the website the city has created for the project. The Homepage connects you both to the full “Plan” and a simple electronic form that allows you to seamlessly and very quickly issue your own comments upon it, something we highly encourage you to do.

It’s important that golfers make clear the need to maintain 54 holes of desperately needed public golf in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. No doubt there will be those who issue comments about reducing that existing golf. And consider throwing in the need for a junior golf developmental facility while you’re at it.

[Another example in a long string of examples of how a golf association can amass the facts of the matter as opposed to a version of them provided by those intent on repurposing golf course land for their preferred use, make those facts known to the decision-makers, and then rally its members and member clubs behind those “facts” to get a verdict in the public arena favorable to golf’s cause.]

Huy Dang Elected SCGA President

October 26, 2023

Photos

Huy Dang, an SCGA member through Griffith Park GC, was selected President of the Association at its Annual Meeting, held Thursday at Rose Bowl Stadium. He succeeds Mike Ortega.

Since joining the SCGA Board in 2015, Dang, 52, has demonstrated his dedication to the game through his work on several committees, including Board Development, Championships & Golf Operations, Member Services, Membership Development, Strategic Planning and the Women/DEI committee.

At the club level, Dang has been actively involved in numerous leadership positions of Griffith Park GC, one of the SCGA’s largest public golf clubs.

“Being Asian American and the first immigrant to become an SCGA President is an honor and I am truly humbled,” said Dang. “My family came to this wonderful country from Vietnam, seeking a new beginning, during the end of the war. Like many families, my parents gave up everything in pursuit of that American Dream. I doubt they imagined that my journey, and my American dream, would be so heavily influenced by golf.”

Joining Dang on the 2023-24 SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Zack Moran, Golf Course Superintendents Club & Olivas Links GC, Secretary Lynne Haraway, Valencia CC and Treasurer Tom Reul, Briarwood GC. Dang will lead a diverse board representing a cross-section of clubs, backgrounds, skills and geography. Also serving on the 2023-24 board are:

Jorge Badel, PGA, South Bay Pub Links GC

John Fischer, The Los Angeles CC

John Kobara, Screaming Eagles GC

Kathy Kurata, Friendly Hills CC and Mission Hills Ladies

Azucena Maldonado, Latina Golfers GC

George Mallory, PGA West Private

Bob Osborn, Meadowlark GC and Old Ranch CC

Larry Stein, Brentwood CC

and Immediate Past President Mike Ortega, Skylinks Men's GC & Gauchos and Gringos

During the Meeting, officers acknowledged the Association’s strong financial position, highlighted by the achievement of a major membership milestone; 200,000 active memberships. In addition, the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation reported record participation in youth programming.

Prior to the Annual Meeting, Mike Kelly, SCGA Executive Director, led a morning session where he unveiled the Association’s Vision 2028 program, a strategic roadmap that will guide the Association over the next five years.

Honored at the Annual Meeting were:

John Morello, who received the Jim House Award, recognizing the work of an exceptional SCGA volunteer. Morello has been a Rules Official and Course Rater since 2000, was elected SCGA President in 2016, and remains an active officer for the California Golf Association helping conduct the California Amateur Championship. He also oversaw the CIF San Diego Section “golf club” for some 1,300 high school golfers – connecting them to the SCGA.

Bob Fischer, who received the Lynn Smith Award, was honored for his outstanding contributions and service to amateur golf in Southern California. Among many other things, Bob arranged for the inaugural Southern California Women’s Amateur Championship to be played at The Los Angeles Country Club and was a key advocate in the unification between the SCGA and Women’s Southern California Golf Association in 2017. He also established the Bob and Mary Fischer Equipment Endowment in 2018 to support families that could not afford properly fitted equipment and supports up to 100 families/sets of clubs annually.  His son, John, accepted the award on his behalf.

The Los Angeles Country Club received the John Argue Founder’s Award, established to honor SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Founder and former SCGA President John C. Argue for their continued commitment to the Foundation’s mission and its partnership in supporting the FORE Youth Community Legacy campaign.

Bob Veeh was honored with the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation President’s Award, annually given to an SCGA member or member club who’s dedicated to furthering the mission of the Foundation.

Gerardo Lopez was named the winner of the Newell Pinch Delegate of the Year Award for his service as an active Club Delegate who has demonstrated exceptional ability in working as a liaison between his club and the SCGA. Lopez co-founded and serves as the current President/Handicap Chair of the Gammas and Compas Golf Club. 

Larry Kavanaugh was awarded the Don Carlson Handicap Chair of the Year Award, recognizing his tireless work and effort put in at their club in the promotion and maintenance of the World Handicap System. Kavanaugh has served in virtually every capacity for San Dimas Canyon Men’s Golf Club since 1986. He’s also been the Handicap Chairman for the Aerojet/Northrup-Grumman Azusa Golf Club, and for the last three years, the Handicap Chairman for the Marshall Canyon Men's Golf Club. 

Mark Strickland became the oldest to ever be named the SCGA Player of the Year after a remarkable season. Most notable, he made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open Championship. Strickland was also part of the winning side at this year’s SCGA Foursomes Championship and finished top-10 at the SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship.

Kate Villegas won the SCGA Women’s Player of the Year Award in historic fashion. The UCLA senior kicked off the year with a runner-up finish at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship before capturing the SCGA Women’s Match Play Championship at Goose Creek, becoming the first repeat winner in the Women’s Division. She followed that up promptly with a win at the California Women’s Amateur Championship and rounded out her summer with a top-5 finish at the SCGA Women’s Amateur Championship. Overall, Villegas set a point total record in the Women’s Player of the Year race.

Randy Haag earned the SCGA Senior Player of the Year honors. The highlight of his season was successfully defending his California Senior Amateur crown, as he became the first to repeat winner in over a decade. He also reached the Round of 16 at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and picked up another top-10 at this year’s SCGA Senior Amateur Championship.

Shelly Haywood was honored as the Senior Women’s Player of the Year after winning the 2023 California Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. She qualified for the 2023 U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship and finished top-10 at both the SCGA Women’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Four-Ball Championships. Haywood was also a semifinalist at the SCGA Women’s Match Play Championship and reached the Round of 32 at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

Additionally, the SCGA recognized four volunteers for reaching very significant milestones; 20 years of volunteer service in their respective fields to help build the programs and fulfill the mission of the SCGA: Gary Albin, Andy Anderson, Dick Beckman and Len Santoro

Industry Leaders & Water Providers Discuss Ways to Incentivize Water Conservation

September 28, 2023

“If you have a creative idea for saving water on your golf course, we have a rebate program for you,” announced the Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) Gary Tilkian at last week’s golf and water networking session in downtown Los Angeles, where leaders of the golf community met with leaders of MWD, Los Angeles Water & Power, Long Beach Water & Power, and other water providers to collaborate on ways to further reduce the game’s water footprint.

Formally called the “Water Savings Investment Program” (WISP), the MWD program differs from traditional rebate programs in that it is performance based. You don’t get paid up front. You get paid as you demonstrate that your “creative idea” saves water.

How the program works:

• The application must be approved before the project is deployed or installed to ensure funding eligibility.
• Projects must save at least 10 million gallons of water over ten years.

• Projects cannot be new construction.
• Customers require at least three years of water use history to establish a baseline before the project is deployed.
• Projects cannot replace potable water with another water source as a water-saving method.

Los Angeles Water & Power (LADWP) has a parallel program it calls its “Technical Assistance Program” or TAP for short. At the networking session LADWP Conservation Manager Mark Gentili explained the program the way his agency explains it on its website.

“Sometimes one size doesn’t fit all. Commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family customers may benefit from a customized approach to reducing their water use and costs. . . The program offers up to $2,000,000 in financial incentives for pre-approved equipment and products that demonstrate water savings.”

As SCGA Public Affairs Director Craig Kessler explained at the event, “once a golf course upgrades its irrigation system, removes turf, replaces nozzles, and pursues the investments for which traditional rebates and financial incentives are available, it runs out of cards to play in a game of water footprint reduction that golf has to keep playing if it hopes to thrive in an environment in which supplies from the Sierra Nevada are subject to wide swings and supplies from the Colorado River are guaranteed to be significantly curtailed.”

The SCGA helped organize this networking session to help spread the word; there are customized, golf specific programs that major water agencies are eager to work with golf to craft and then fund. To that end, the session was capped off by a presentation to Brentwood CC of a 1st installment of what is “on track” to eventually be a $67,000.00 rebate for a soil-based conservation program that is anything but “traditional” to the golf industry.

Many of MWD’s retailers– e.g., LADWP – offer parallel “performance based” incentives, which allows a golf course to receive additional monies for the same program – double dip as it were.

The session was sufficiently successful that MWD has decided to take the same show on the road to San Diego County to join forces with the San Diego County Water Authority, San Diego Public Utilities, and whatever other MWD member agencies care to participate to share the same good news about these programs. The SCGA will certainly do what it can to help coordinate, facilitate, and advertise the event.

For more information about the MWD program go to www.bewaterwise.com. For further information about the LADWP program go to www.ladwp.com/tap. If you’re reading this from San Diego County, stay tuned. The SCGA will keep you informed.

Linda Port’s Journey to the U.S. Adaptive Open

July 14, 2023

By Jill Painter Lopez

Linda Port’s golf travels have taken her around the world, but her favorite tournament of them all was the U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst No. 6 in July.

And it had little to do with golf at the historic venue.

That was nice, too, but she met so many wonderful people.

“It was so incredibly inspirational,” Port told the SCGA in a phone interview from Pinehurst. “No matter what you come here thinking, am I ready to compete? Can I win anything? That’s all gone. You’re so lucky to be here among the most tenacious, inspiring golfers I think in the world. These people have been through and are coping with disabilities that are amazing and they can still take on the most difficult sport in the world. And, they’re really good.”

Port - who is legally blind - shot a 102-94-92–288 over the three rounds. She may be visually impaired, but that hasn’t stopped her passion for playing the sport.

Port, 75, was diagnosed with a condition called macular degeneration that destroys her central vision. That affects a person’s ability to read, recognize people and see the golf ball.

“None of us can play alone because we could never find the ball,” Port said. “We figure out ways to do it, and we have a guide. It’s like a command sport. The athletic ability is the golfer’s but the eyes that come from the guide. And strategy.”

She usually has her husband, Fred, as her guide but this time she used a caddie for help with course knowledge. They got to play two practice rounds and her husband walked the course for her three rounds.

Port, who is from Rancho Santa Fe, was the oldest female in the competition.

“I’m so proud of that,” Port said. “I was the oldest woman by far. I’m determined to get better and keep coming back until it’s ridiculous.”

The Ports split their time in the desert and Rancho Santa Fe. They’re members at The Vintage Club and Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club.

When Port was in her 30s, her eye condition started to worsen. Her father was blind and her sister, Mary Port (she’s married to Fred’s brother), has the same condition. She gave up golf for a while - “part of it was the embarrassment of playing with normal people when you can’t see the ball and you become dependent on people” - but took it up again when she was 65. She said didn’t know about blind golf until about a decade or so or she wouldn’t have quit the sport.

Port and her husband are former LACC members, too. Port watched the major from home, and she will either stand right next to the TV to watch or put a chair a couple of feet in front of it. She uses her peripheral vision. She gets along just fine with whatever she does.

Last year, she won the 2022 TPC Sawgrass Vision Cup.

The Ports have a new foundation, Blind Confidence 4 Kids, they recently started. They’re currently gathering intel on how to teach blind children the sport before they begin clinics. They’re eager to get started.

Port didn’t know about blind golf for so long and now she wants others to learn about it from a much younger age so they have the ability to play for life.

“That’s why I have my charity,” Port said. “Nobody knows about it. I’m determined that people will start knowing about it.”

7 Memorable U.S. Open Champions

June 08, 2023

By Bill Dwyre

The U.S. Open is the closest thing to a minefield that a golfer will ever experience. The United States Golf Association makes it that way on purpose. The USGA calls it the ultimate test of golf. The players call it torture.

The winners of all this are the fans, especially those who go out to see it in person. And lo and behold, Southern California spectators will get their every-seventy-five-year chance. This year’s US Open, or tournament player blood-letting, will be at the famed and exclusive Los Angeles Country Club, June 15-18.

It is usually the best golf in the world played every year, mostly because it is usually the most treacherous. The Masters in Georgia might be more famous, because it is played at the same gorgeous Augusta National Golf Club every year, and because it always has a genteel air about it. The U.S. Open is usually about as genteel as a sledge hammer.

The British Open is foreign, more mysterious. There is nothing mysterious about the U.S. Open. It hits you right in the face.

Going to a U.S. Open is an opportunity for every weekend golfer who has spent hours in sand and high grass and behind trees and up to their knees in water, to watch multi-millionaire golfers, the best of the best, do the same thing. Get your tickets now.

The U.S. Open may be the greatest spectator sport ever. It is a pressure cooker, played on a deviously designed obstacle course, for large sums of money. The winner will get more than $3 million. Just making the cut will get you a decent down payment on a house. Pressure? Try taking that putter back from ten feet to win, with a new yacht jangling around in your brain.

Come and see it, local golf fans. Your only shot before this year was 1948 at Riviera. Ben Hogan won, and he was a man with steel nerves. They have called the course ever since “Hogan’s Alley,” and deservedly so. This year’s winner could spark a new nickname for LACC—Koepka’s Crypt? Speith’s Sanctuary? Dustin’s Domain? Rahmbo’s Ranch?

There are many things and people to look for if you manage to make your way out to LACC. The players are already famous and many became so because of the U.S. Open.

Some samples:

• UCLA’s Corey Pavin hit the best shot of his life on the last hole in 1995. His four-wood stopped five feet away, he knew he had won. Halfway up the fairway, he needed to stop, squat down for an instant and collect himself.
• Four years later, Payne Stewart sank his winning putt, thrust his fist forward and kicked one leg out behind him in celebration. They made a statue out of that moment.
• Rory McIlroy walked part of the last hole in 2011 with his father, when his win was more a rout than just a win. He had arrived in golf and still stays near the top.
• Justin Rose hit a five-iron approach shot on the last hole in 2013 from a spot right near where Hogan had hit one to win years earlier, and watched in joy and relief as the ball settled within two-putt range and he knew he would win. Hogan heroics, from the same place with the same thing at stake, had been done with a one-iron.
• Jordan Spieth, who had won the Masters earlier in 2015, won a duel in the U.S. Open a few months later with the much older and more veteran Dustin Johnson. Spieth was one group in front of Johnson, hit his second shot on the last hole, a par five, to within two-putt range and made the birdie to take the lead on sandpaper scratchy greens at Chambers Bay, Wash. Johnson was the only remaining contender. He did the same, reaching the green in two. But when he missed his birdie putt, the golf world started celebrating Spieth as the next big thing. And for a while, he was, winning the season-ending Fed-Ex Cup in ’15 and also the British Open in 2017. But his statue will be that of a golfer, holing out from a greenside bunker to get into a playoff in the John Deere Classic and tossing his club at his caddy in joy. Spieth won the playoff. He was 19 at the time.
• Then there is the underrated, below-the-radar Beau Hossler, who is a regular on the tour now. In 2012, at age 17, as a qualifier who would eventually go from Santa Margarita High School to the University of Texas to join Spieth, actually led the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco for a couple of holes in the second round. His caddy for that one was a friend of his dad’s, who had been in the delivery room when Hossler was born. Webb Simpson won that year, but Hossler announced he was around to stay. And he has.
• Do not forget Phil Mickelson, the once-beloved superstar from San Diego, who was born in 1970, when some golfers still played with brassies and mashies. Mickelson has won six major titles and dozens more tour stops. He actually won the 2021 PGA tournament just days shy of his 51^st birthday. The only major title he has not won is the U.S. Open, where he has been second six times. He lost one U.S. Open when, in the lead, he hit a shot on the final hole off a sponsor’s tent. Mickelson recently took the money and ran to the LIV tour, sending his popularity down the tubes. But Phil is Phil and winning at LACC would get him invited back to lots of parties.

Which brings us to the LIV, a tour sponsored by Saudi Arabia, which pays its golfers so well it might as well just give them oil wells. Mickelson is the symbol of the revolt from the long-established PGA Tour, but LIV players are not hiding in desert sand dunes. In the last 15 years, current LIV players Grahame McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Koepka (twice) have won U.S. Opens. If a LIV player wins, especially if Koepka repeats his recent PGA title run, the beer will not taste as good in the PGA Tour hospitality tent.

Look for the current stars, Scottie Scheffler and Jon (Rahmbo) Rahm, to be out in front. Or look for another improbable win like Lucas Glovers’ in 2009 at an impossible-to-play public course in New York called Bethpage State Park. Glover won his only major in a monsoon and probably never felt a drop of rain.

The U.S. Open is 5,000 story lines, and that’s after they make the cut on Friday. It is the predictable and the improbable. It is sport at its toughest and most exciting.

Buy a ticket. Walk the course. Listen and watch for the pain and anguish. Unless you are 95 and went to Riviera when you were a teenager in ‘48, you can be among the firsts in Southern California to experience a U.S. Open in the heart of LA.

It is the chance of a lifetime. And if U.S. Open site selection history is any measure, you won’t get another one in your lifetime.

Bill Dwyre is former sports editor and sports columnist of The Los Angeles Times. He has covered seven U.S. Opens.

Article courtesy of SCGA partner, the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission

LACC Hosts SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Mentor Play Day

March 15, 2023

By John DeGomez

*For a full photo gallery, please click here.

*For a video recap, please click here.

The act of play and its interpretation can vary from person to person and golfer to golfer. From the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation perspective, play represents connection, community and most importantly, fun. One of the most rewarding forms of play the Junior Foundation offers are its “Mentor Play Days.”

Play Days are special playing opportunities at private courses across Los Angeles County, during which club members host juniors for a round of golf at their club. Typically, these outings are limited to 16 juniors and occur in the summertime when the days are longer, and school doesn’t interfere with attendance.

Sunday, March 12 marked an exclusive and limited Play Day for the Junior Golf Foundation, as an astounding 36 juniors were selected to participate in the year’s first outing at The Los Angeles Country Club (LACC). With the 2023 U.S. Open on the horizon, LACC and its 36 host members welcomed young golfers to their historic grounds and soon site of the most prestigious championship in American golf.

Did You Know? LACC is an original founding club of the SCGA dating back to 1899. The club has hosted 10 Play Days and donated proceeds from the 2017 Walker Cup to help expand SCGA Junior programming in the San Fernando Valley.

From the moment juniors stepped foot on property, they were treated to a full championship experience. Elite practice facilities, impeccable course conditions, full clubhouse tour and an assigned caddie to help them navigate the challenging Gil Hanse redesign. Golf brought everyone to the course early Sunday morning, but the connection and mentorships are what will be remembered.

California High School senior Sophia Martinez shared, “Today I was given the opportunity to connect with different players from diverse backgrounds and gain new perspectives of where people come from and why they play golf.”

When you break down a round of golf, you are really only swinging, chipping or putting less than 10 percent of the time. The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation feels the other 90 percent is just as important during Mentor Play Days. It’s more than shooting your personal best or trying to break 80. Conversation, bonding and relationship-building are core elements of golf and youth development.

When asked what the experience meant to him, longtime Player & Youth Development program participant Josiah Joseph replied, “All my friends and family are here today. To me, the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation is my family.”

As the day came to a close, participants slowly trickled in from the course, and excited chatter and laughter could be heard throughout the patio. Juniors wanted to share their journey through the vaunted North Course with their friends, swing by swing, shot by shot, putt by putt.

The North Course at LACC provided one of the toughest playing tests for both juniors attendees and mentors. But the experience and memories will always be treasured. LACC Play Day organizer John Fischer tied the bow on a superb day by welcoming SCGA Junior golfers into their community and thanking them for their dedication to the sport and participation.

The game of golf can throw obstacles in your path and attempt to disrupt you from achieving your goals. The people you meet along the way will be the individuals who provide the guidance and support needed for success and perseverance. That’s what the Junior Golf Foundation’s Play Day is all about.

*For a full photo gallery, please click here.

*For a video recap, please click here.

SoCal Golf Hall of Fame Welcomes Inaugural Class

March 15, 2023

The Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and the Southern California PGA (SCPGA) inducted its inaugural class into the newly launched Southern California Golf Hall of Fame on Mar. 15 at Industry Hills GC.

This unified regional program celebrates golf luminaries who have helped transform and shape the Southern California golf landscape. This year’s inductees include golf course architects, professional golfers, industry leaders, PGA golf professionals and trailblazers who have made a significant impact on the game and golf community.

Pearl Sinn-Bonanni

Born in Korea, Pearl Sinn-Bonanni was introduced to golf by her father. Upon moving to the United States at the age of eight, her love of the game helped her assimilate to her new home, and she quickly became a dominant force in the Southern California amateur golf scene. A three-time All-American at Arizona State University, her season in 1988 was one for the history books. She became the first female golfer to win multiple USGA titles in the same calendar year – the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links (which she would defend her title in 1989) and the U.S. Women’s Amateur just a few months later. She was also a member of the U.S. Curtis Cup team and won the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship.

“When I received the call [to be inducted], I was shocked,” Sinn-Bonanni said fighting back tears. “I have to admit, I was very excited but I didn’t immediately feel like I deserved it. It took me a little time to realize that I’m a part of this really special group.”

Sinn-Bonanni earned Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year honors in 1990 and enjoyed a 15-year professional career on the LPGA Tour, which culminated in winning the 1998 State Farm Rail Classic. She would later act as an on-course commentator for ESPN’s LPGA Tour coverage and served as a consultant for the LPGA. After her retirement from professional golf in 2006, she became the California State University, Fullerton head women’s golf coach from 2009 to 2017.

“I dedicate this honor to my mom and dad. They shed blood, sweat and tears for my sister and me to have a better life. I owe everything to them.”

Jim Vernon

An avid golfer and longtime member of Lakeside GC in Burbank, Jim Vernon’s career in golf administration is nothing short of exemplary. After graduating from Stanford Law School in 1975, Vernon ran his family’s diamond business – Frank Vernon Diamond Brokers and Wholesale Jewelers. His professional experience and relationships would nonetheless contribute to his wide-ranging service to the game of golf. He served as president of Lakeside GC in 1990 and would later serve as president of the board of directors of the SCGA and California Golf Association in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

“For several years, I was hosting this event,” Vernon remarked. “I can’t help but think somewhere there has been a software glitch because now I’m here accepting the honor instead of giving it out. I am here channeling all the people that I’ve worked with in golf. I could not have accomplished anything without them.”

As an advocate for junior golf and growing the game, Vernon also served as president of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. In 1998, Vernon began volunteering with the USGA and served on multiple committees, including the Sectional Affairs Committee and Equipment Standards Committee. He served as a member of the Executive Committee for seven years – including vice president in 2006 and 2007 – before ultimately being named the 60th president of the USGA in 2008 and 2009. As president of the USGA, Vernon tirelessly led the Association's staff and 1,400 volunteers and focused on championships, equipment, creating a strong online presence and preserving the game's history. Dedicated to serving the game, Vernon continues to be active in Southern California golf.

“Being here today is somewhat of a reunion. Everyone here is a golfer and values the game of golf. You’ve all given back to it. Thank you all.”

Also recognized at the event were six posthumous inductees.

Gary Adams

Born in Carlsbad, Gary Adams was more than a notable salesman. Known as the “Father of the Metal Wood,” and founder of TaylorMade Golf, Founders Club Golf Company and McHenry Metals, Adams was an inventor who was never afraid to take that next uncharted step in golf manufacturing. Adams built TaylorMade Golf on innovation and technology. His vision of producing a driver made of metal revolutionized a game that previously had used only wood golf clubs. Every golfer around the world has Adams to thank for the metal woods they use in their bags today.

Gene Andrews

Gene Andrews undeniably changed the game we all love, and his practices are still used by amateurs and professionals to this day. Nicknamed the “Father of Playing by Yardage,” Andrews is best known for creating the yardage book. Andrews would walk a course during practice rounds and chart yardages in a book or on a scorecard. He began selling these yardage books to courses, and the practice became wildly popular among caddies and players in the early 1970s. Although he did not commit to playing professionally, Andrews was also a top amateur golfer. He won the 1954 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and later the 1970 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. He also competed in three Masters Tournaments and two U.S. Opens.

Max Behr

Max Behr is regarded as one of the legendary course designers of his time. Behr became the first editor of Golf Illustrated magazine in 1914 before moving to California and diving into golf course design. Known for an unorthodox design philosophy, Behr did not believe in rough on his courses. Instead, he preferred to incorporate natural features of the landscape and bunkers to defend each hole. That philosophy first appeared in his 1922 SoCal designs: Hacienda Golf Club, Montebello Golf Club, Rancho Park Golf Club and Montecito Golf Club. He perfected this philosophy in his two most recognizable layouts in 1924: Lakeside Golf Club and Oakmont Country Club. His final project was Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in 1927. Behr’s design philosophy became so popular that he was asked to remodel Victoria Club in 1923, Brentwood Country Club in 1925 and assisted at The Olympic Club’s Lake Course in 1926. Behr unquestionably left his mark on the Southern California landscape.

James R. DeVoe

James R. “Jimmie” DeVoe was an unheralded pioneer in the growth of the game of golf, and among the generations of African Americans who were denied equal opportunity in all aspects of social life, not to mention civil rights. DeVoe traveled between New York and Los Angeles, and by the early 1940s became a fixture in Southern California golf as a player and teacher. In 1944, DeVoe became the first African American to compete in the Los Angeles Open. He developed a reputation as a golf instructor to the stars, with a glittering list of students that included Jackie Robinson, Mrs. Nat King Cole and the Mills Brothers. He also drew praise for instructing underprivileged youth, along with students of all races, ages, gender and class. DeVoe was the first African American to gain PGA of America membership after the rescinding of the “Caucasian clause” in 1962. He was 74, which according to PGA membership records, made him the oldest to be elected to the Association.

Ralph Guldahl

Ralph Guldahl joined the professional golf circuit in 1931. His 16 PGA Tour victories – including three major championships – saw him ascend to the top of the game quicker than anyone else. In 1938, Guldahl finished runner-up at the Masters for a second time, but won his second straight U.S. Open and third straight Western Open – becoming the only golfer to win both events in consecutive years. He finally won his green jacket in 1939, besting Sam Snead by one stroke with a score of 279. After his professional golf ended, Guldahl became the head professional at Braemar Country Club in 1961 and gave lessons until his death in 1987.

Shirley Spork

One of the 13 original founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950, Shirley Spork took her pioneering talents beyond the perimeter of a course to establish standards of excellence for aspiring young women golfers. For nearly 70 years in the golf industry, Spork was active in sustaining and promoting the future of the sport. In 1959, she was the driving force behind the creation of the LPGA Teaching Committee, which was reorganized into today’s LPGA Professionals division. Those same members teach university coaches, instructors, along with 80,000 young women in the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf program. Spork’s ability to educate audiences from all levels of the game took root from 1966 through 1973, as Western Director of Education for the National Golf Foundation. From 1977 to 2002, Spork was director of The School of Golf for women at Singing Hills Country Club in El Cajon, California. While she passed away in April 2022, her legacy and contributions to advancing the game will continue to impact the lives of young golfers and aspiring professionals.

SCGA Member Mary Budke Inducted to Pac-12 Hall of Honor

March 13, 2023

By Shannon Nelson

Enjoy a stroll around the grounds of Mission Hills CC, and the scenery often includes some of the great LPGA players, practicing or playing one of the three challenging courses. The LPGA grew up at Mission Hills, where the premier event of the touring season was held until this year, and the champions often return here to play, several even becoming members.

Getting slightly less attention, and certainly deserving of appreciation, is a retired emergency doctor, who on Mar. 3, was inducted into the Pac-12 Hall of Honor in Las Vegas, Nev.

Mary Budke, this humble and unassuming golf legend was an amateur hailing from Oregon when she dominated the golf scene for over a decade. She was known throughout her professional life as Dr. Mary Budke. She showed remarkable talent as a teen, winning the 1972 U.S. Women’s Amateur championship, and the national collegiate individual championship in 1974.

Her alma mater, Oregon State University nominated her for the Pac 12 Hall of Honor. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX, and to mark this anniversary, all the inductees are women. The letter from them informing her of the induction was full of warmth, gratitude, and genuine pride for her accomplishments as one of their own. Their choice of her was unanimous. Golf was not her only sport - she played basketball and volleyball at an elite level while she was there studying pre-med.

Budke has also represented the United States on multiple world stages, her first appearance coming at the 1972 Women’s World Amateur Team Championships in Buenos Aires, which the US won. After that, Budke made her first USA Curtis Cup team in 1974 before being named captain of the team in 2002.

And finally, Budke won the Oregon State Championship from 1971 through 1979 (with the exception of 1975 when she didn’t play). Despite the pedigree of success on the amateur level, Budke decided to pursue her family's business and forego a professional golf career.

It’s probable that Mary’s career as an emergency doctor showed her the gritty side of life and death in a way that most people don’t see, and it certainly took her away from serious competitive golf. She practiced in New York, Los Angeles and Oregon for over 25 years. According to co-workers she was well respected in her field, with the perfect amount of emotional balance to handle people at their best and worst.

Now that Mary is retired, she is playing more golf than she has since college. She continues to compete in regional amateur events and even qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, most recently held in Alaska. She is a valued member of Mission Hills, competes in their regular ladies’ play days and still maintains a Handicap Index of zero.

A few months ago while playing with Mary and her partner, Felicia, on the Palmer course it was obvious Mary was having a good round - she’d had four birdies by the end of 15 holes. But she never said a word until Felicia commented after yet another beautiful birdie on No. 16 that Mary just might shoot her age that day (she was 68). Well, Mary continued her birdie run on Nos. 17 and 18 and shot a lifetime best score of 66. When it was all over, we were stunned. Even the usually calm Dr. Budke beamed.

66 at 69 - nothing short of epic!

Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship Boasts Record Participation

March 09, 2023

By Stephanie Tran

While 2023 wasn’t a Leap Year on the calendar, the SCGA made great strides in hosting the 3rd Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Mesa Verde CC on the last two days of February amidst a forecast that flooded everyone with concerns of abnormal playing conditions. This is Southern California after all, and we want our weather to be like Santa – predictable and friendly. But carts would stay in the barn and debates would brew behind closed doors. Should the event be postponed or canceled? Contingency plans would consume our Championships & Golf Operations team.

Meanwhile, a strong contingent of women prepared for the worst and hoped for the best – 47 of them, to be exact. Former collegiate golfers and coaches, entrepreneurs, moms, business executives, a retired teacher, a screenwriter, and a current and a former SCGA staff member filled the field. A few folks even descended from Northern California while a resident from Utah crossed state lines. For 38 participants, it was their first time playing in this newish championship. Some had not competed since college. Others had played in this event since its inception in 2021, including both former champions. Ages ranged from 25 to 69 with an overall average age of 44. All were anxious to test their abilities at one of Orange County’s premier private clubs, led by an extraordinary Head Professional, Heidi Wright-Tennyson. Much to everyone’s delight, the course held up firmly against the heavy rainfall and its staff members gave everyone a warm, personalized welcome.

Apart from the USGA, if you searched for organizations that have tried to captivate the Women’s Mid-Am segment, you’d be hard pressed to find an event with a field size and depth that would rival the turnout of our recent championship. As one of the largest Allied Golf Associations in the nation, the SCGA is committed to leading in this space and growing the segment one player at a time. After all, it only takes one extra calendar day to make it a leap!

Marcus Byrd Lands Genesis Invitational Sifford Exemption

February 01, 2023

By Tom Mackin

Marcus Byrd can keep a secret. A big one.

The 25-year-old professional golfer knew he had received the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption into the 2023 Genesis Invitational at Riviera CC on. Feb. 16-19 but couldn’t tell anyone for a few weeks.

“I’ve just been trying to avoid the topic of conversation, honestly,” he said. “I had a few people ask me, ‘You know who is going to get that?’ I was just like, ‘Nah. I don’t know.’

The second-year pro did know, though, and the rest of the world found out on Jan. 23 when Tournament Host Tiger Woods made the official announcement.

“Marcus has shown resiliency and perseverance in pursuit of a professional playing career,” Woods said. “These are qualities that remind me of Charlie and his journey. I look forward to watching Marcus compete at Riviera.”

Even better news for the East Coast native is that he’ll arrive at Riviera with a Southern California win under his belt after capturing the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour (APGA) Farmers Insurance Invitational by five strokes on Jan. 30 at Torrey Pines GC. That title came with $30,000 and a spot in the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic Feb. 23-26, but first up is the Genesis Invitational, where he will become the 15th recipient of the Sifford Memorial Exemption, which honors Sifford, the first African-American player to compete on the PGA TOUR and the winner of the 1969 Los Angeles Open at Rancho Park GC.

“I grew up in Washington D.C. and played at Langston Golf Course,” Byrd recalled. “One day my dad and I were walking into the clubhouse and Mr. Sifford was sitting right in the dining area. I didn’t really notice him because I was just an oblivious little kid, but my Dad told me to go over there and talk to him. That was my first time laying eyes on him and really understanding his history and what he’s done for the game. To be able to be this year’s recipient and play in his name is just one those things in life that comes full circle. It’s really just a blessing.”

Byrd, who played collegiate golf at Middle Tennessee State University, has a Tiger story, too.

“Tiger used to host the AT&T National event at Congressional Country Club (in Potomac, Maryland) and I used to go to that as kid,” noted Byrd. “I remember very vividly being out there and I had the whole Tiger outfit on and a picture of him to sign. I was standing at the corner of the range and I knew he was going to be walking by me. He was heading for the first tee and didn’t really notice me at the time. Instead of me being like, “Aw man, Tiger didn’t sign an autograph for me,’ I told my dad it’s alright, one day he’ll have to sign my scorecard. That was kind of like the fuel for me to get where I am now. Tiger probably doesn’t know, but that was probably the best thing that could have happened.”

Byrd hopes to land a practice round at Riviera with John Rahm, Rory McIlroy or Scottie Sheffler, and he has plans on getting more than just an autograph from Tiger that week. “To be able to pick his brain and learn how things work out there and be able to ask him questions, I think that’s going to be the biggest treat for me,” he said. “That’s knowledge that money can’t buy. I’m looking forward to it for sure.” That, and honoring Mr. Sifford, who was also inducted into the SCGA Hall of Fame in 2011.

“To think that I’ll forever be a part of this tournament’s storied history means a lot. I cannot wait to compete at Riviera and represent Mr. Sifford with my play.”

Mission Hills CC Hosts 2023 Coachella Valley Golf & Water Summit

January 13, 2023

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. —It’s not a question of if …

Such was the message delivered Wednesday to over 150 members of the larger golf community – superintendents, head pros, vendors, suppliers – at the Coachella Valley Golf and Water Summit.

It’s only a question of how much. Federal water officials – the Bureau of Reclamation – have given the seven states and tribal nations that rely on Colorado River water until Jan. 31 to voluntarily accede to a demand that they lower the yearly draw on the river by 2- to 4-million acre-feet. If that sounds like a lot of water, it is. In climatological terms, it represents up to half of the average yearly allocation given to California, Nevada and Arizona combined. For all users and uses.

“Golf is really an important part of this community, and we recognize the economic value of it,” says Robert Cheng, Coachella Valley Water District assistant general manager. “However, there is a huge increased focus on water issues. This a supply versus demand imbalance, and the hydrology has not been cooperative in the Colorado River basin for the past couple of decades.”

In basic parlance, the faucet is too small and drain is too large. And while we are enjoying a bountiful (early) winter, a month of atmospheric rivers and (early) record snowpack is neither a guaranteed harbinger of the entire stockpiling season – winter and spring – nor, if it holds, an end to the historic drought gripping the West.

“People will see that it is a wet year, they are going to forget about the need to conserve, they are going to forget about the need for planning for the future,” Peter Nelson warns. “You’ll hear soon, ‘The drought is over, the drought is over.’ It’s not.” Nelson is a CVWD board member and not just an expert on regional water issues, but arguably the most knowledgeable person in California about ongoing negotiations among the seven states in the Colorado Compact and the federal government.

The symposium also included discussion of research efforts to develop high-efficiency irrigation systems and ever-more-drought-tolerant turfgrasses that do not require overseeding, the elimination of not-in-play turf, and altering the public perception that wall-to-wall green is the only “good” golf. And that then begs the question: How green does my green grass really need to be? The ancestral home of golf does just fine, thank you very much, when Mother Nature turns off the spigot. A new mantra is in order: Brown grass is not dead grass.

The SCGA and its summit partners – CVWD, USGA, Southern California PGA, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America – have been at the forefront of this problem with the mindset that participatory proactivity beats told-what-to-do reactivity.

As Craig Kessler, SCGA Public Affairs director, advises, “When you get an opportunity to get out ahead of a problem, take it.”

An ounce of prevention beats a gallon of cure, and notably when that “cure” is administered from on high.

The SCGA will continue to follow this important matter and report on it in the months ahead.

Southern California Golf Association Names Mike Kelly Executive Director

December 02, 2022

STUDIO CITY, Calif. — The Southern California Golf Association’s (SCGA) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Mike Kelly, PGA as the Association’s next Executive Director. He will replace Kevin Heaney, who retires at the end of March 2023.

Kelly, 43, currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Golf Ontario, Canada and brings to the SCGA more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry. He has a strong track record of leadership, innovation, and servicing membership. He will inherit an organization widely viewed as among the nation’s most advanced and progressive Allied Golf Associations.

“We are very excited about what Mike Kelly brings to our Association,” said SCGA President, Mike Ortega. “He has a proven pedigree in leadership and shares our organization’s vision of growth, innovation, and inclusivity. We can’t wait to benefit from his immense skillset, experience, and expertise.”

Kelly, a PGA of Canada member, joined Golf Ontario in 2006 and served in a variety of roles before his appointment to CEO in 2015. During his tenure he grew and retained membership, primarily through public golf, and led the transformation of the association’s regional and field operations resulting in 100 new member clubs.

His many accomplishments include developing the Golf in Schools program and launching the Ontario Disabilities and Indigenous Championships. He also created the World Junior Girls Championship, held annually in Ontario.

“The SCGA has long been regarded as an industry leader and I’m honored to carry on and bolster that earned reputation,” Kelly said. “I’m committed to furthering the SCGA’s strategic plan and efforts pertaining to membership growth, advocacy, junior golf programming, and DEI initiatives. I’m looking forward to working with the staff and our allied partners to further advance and grow the game in the region.”

Kelly attended Union College in Kentucky on a golf scholarship before graduating from the Professional Golf Management program at Georgian College where he received the Board of Governors Distinguished Alumni Award. A Class ‘A’ member of the PGA of Canada, Kelly is a two-time Zone and National Award winner.

Mike Ortega Elected President of the SCGA

November 02, 2022

Mike Ortega, an SCGA member through Skylinks Men's GC and Gauchos and Gringos, was selected President of the Association at its Annual Meeting, held virtually this morning. He succeeds the SCGA's first teaching professional and female President, Nikki Gatch.

The Torrance native formerly served as President of the Public Links Golf Association (PLGA) in 2003 and becomes the first person to have been elected President of two Southern California golf associations. He is also the first Hispanic President of the SCGA.

“I am extremely humbled by the honor to become the President of the SCGA,” Ortega said. “I’m confident that with our excellent board and staff, we will continue to heighten the golf experience for our members and clubs. In doing so, we will also strive for further inclusion, diversity and access.”

His passion for volunteerism includes nearly 40 years supporting numerous professional events at Riviera CC and throughout the Southland. Ortega was introduced to the game of golf in 1972 when he served in the United States Army.

“I always tell people to take the time to introduce at least one person to our game,” Ortega said. “It changed my life and it can do the same for others.”

Since joining the SCGA Board in 2011, when the PLGA merged with the SCGA, Ortega has demonstrated his dedication to the game through several committees, including Board Development, Championships & Golf Operations, Member Services, and Strategic Planning. He is a longstanding Pacific Coast Golf Association Director and remains active as an SCGA Rules Official and Course Rater.

Joining Ortega on the 2022-23 SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Huy Dang, Griffith Park GC, Secretary Zack Moran, Golf Course Superintendents Club & Olivas Links GC as well as Treasurer Lynne Haraway, Porter Valley CC. Ortega will lead a diverse board representing a cross-section of clubs, backgrounds, skills and geography. Also serving on the 2022-23 board are:

• Jorge Badel, PGA, South Bay Pub Links GC
• John Fischer, The Los Angeles CC
• John Kobara, Screaming Eagles GC
• Kathy Kurata, Friendly Hills CC and Mission Hills Ladies
• Azucena Maldonado, Latina Golfers GC
• George Mallory, Rancho Park GC
• Bob Osborn, MeadowlarkGC and Old Ranch CC
• Tom Reul, Briarwood GC
• Larry Stein, Brentwood CC
• and Immediate Past President Nikki Gatch, PGA, SCPGA Tour Alumni

The Annual Meeting also acknowledged the Association’s strong financial position, highlighted by an all-time high in membership and event participation. In addition, the Association noted the robust Public Affairs and Communications statewide campaign to defeat legislation detrimental to public golf. The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation also reported record participation in youth programming.

Later this year, in two separate videos, the Association will present its 2022 SCGA Service Award recipients, announce its four Players of the Year and provide a look ahead to the 2023 championship season.

Los Serranos CC Hosts 2022 SoCal Golf & Water Summit

August 18, 2022

Photos Resources

CHINO HILLS, Calif. – August 18, 2022 – The 2022 Southern California Golf & Water Summit was held at Los Serranos Golf Club in front of a packed ballroom of 250 industry leaders and stakeholders. Nine different organizations came together to host a five-hour presentation rich with vital information and proactive ideas on how golf courses can adapt and even thrive in a time of severe drought.

In his opening remarks, SCGA Director of Public Affairs Craig Kessler declared to the assembled professionals, “We are dedicated to doing more through collaboration and cooperation. It is better to fall short of high aspirations than meet low expectations.”

The Summit acknowledged unprecedented drought and inevitable challenges but it also provided a multifaceted blueprint on how golf courses can make beneficial changes to deal with the lack of its most valuable resource.

If you’d like to learn more, please click HERE for a list of speakers and resources from their presentations, photos, and more.

SCGA Junior Featured in Title IX Documentary

June 23, 2022

The SCGA and its Junior Golf Foundation are pleased to share that one of the Foundation’s longtime participants, Sophia Martinez, is featured in a recent ABC/ESPN documentary, “Our America: Fifty50" - which will air on Thursday, June 23 at 10 p.m. PT on ABC 7. To commemorate Title IX’s 50th anniversary, host Sofia Carson recognized eight young female athletes who have been positively impacted by sports.

The Foundation identified Martinez, who has flourished under SCGA Junior programming for more than 10 years, to ABC/ESPN. This episode documents her journey of growing up in the Southeast Los Angeles community with the reality that young girls of color like her were given limited opportunities to pursue athletics, especially golf.

Thanks to the Foundation’s efforts to develop an inclusive community for all kids in Southern California, Sophia was given affordable access to a traditionally male-dominated sport that has allowed her to thrive ever since joining SCGA Junior at the age of six.

“[Golf]’s got this perception - it’s very exclusive,” Joan Martinez, Sophia’s mother, said. “And not just based on income. It’s also exclusive in terms of ‘it’s for men.’ And SCGA Junior provided that platform [for girls].”

Now 16 years old and influenced by her involvement with SCGA Junior, Sophia is determined to introduce the game to future generations, level the playing field and continue supporting efforts in her community. She serves as a junior volunteer in Player & Youth Development and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf classes in addition to assisting in fundraising activities.

“Sophia’s story illustrates the core of our mission,” said Foundation Executive Director Kevin Gigax. “This was a unique opportunity for us to not only highlight our work on a national stage but also give a firsthand account of its impact among underserved communities in Southern California.”

Watch Sophia's segment in the documentary here; the full episode can be viewed here.

To learn more about the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation and how to get involved, visit scga.org/jgf.

SCGA and SCGPA Hold First Golf Stakeholders Meeting

March 28, 2022

SEAL BEACH, CA – In March, the SCGA and the Southern California PGA held a critical Golf Stakeholders meeting at Old Ranch CC to discuss golf’s current political standing in the State of California; an urgent conversation prompted by an assembly bill (AB 1910) that seeks to repurpose municipal golf courses into land for affordable housing. A variety of industry professionals were in attendance representing golf associations, golf professionals, course operators, manufacturing companies, and more.

The meeting, led by SCGA Director of Public Affairs, Craig Kessler, provided recent historical context for how golf courses became a direct target of proposed legislation and what the industry can do to mitigate the current threat and to be better prepared for future opposition. Kessler called on the various gathered representatives to commit to joining a unified task force and taking further, deliberate action. SCGA Executive Director, Kevin Heaney delivered similar sentiments to the room stating that, “We must be proactive, not reactive. Reactive doesn’t work.”

SCGA President and SCPGA Chief Operating Officer, Nikki Gatch

At the core of the meeting was an honest acknowledgement that the golf industry must increase its efforts to educate the non-golfing public on the many communal benefits of municipally owned golf courses. These benefits include preserving open space, sequestering carbon, providing wildlife habitat, promoting biodiversity, and even cooling temperatures in times of global warming. This information can change a misinformed narrative and political attacks but only if it reaches the people who need to hear it. Until it does, golf will continue to face legislation seeking to repurpose its courses and reduce its space.

This is why the SCGA and SCPGA invited key players from different genres of golf to the same table. Attendees agreed it’s time for the industry to lead by investing in itself, unifying to protect its future best interests, and working to enhance its value proposition to the 90% of the population that doesn’t play the game.

The current, unprecedented robustness of golf should reflect an equally great prospect of health. However, while more people are playing now than ever before, there are very limited places to accommodate the influx. This current strain on tee sheets would only be exacerbated by losing affordable and accessible public golf courses to AB 1910.

AB 1910 wouldn’t just cost golfers places to play. AB 1910 would cost the public multi-use open spaces that promote so much good in their communities. The gathered stakeholders believe it is incumbent upon the industry to make sure the public knows that.

Los Angeles County Senior Golf Director and SCGA Board Member, Jorge Badel

Kessler said that the best war golf can fight is the war it doesn’t have to fight at all. If golf succeeds on informing the public to the wide variety of shared benefits that a golf course brings to their community—it might not have to fight this war anymore.

SCPGA Executive Director Tom Addis III informed the Stakeholders that a task force had already been created to address the pressing needs identified in the meeting.

SoCal Native Max Homa Looks to Defend Genesis Title

February 07, 2022

By Jill Painter Lopez

Max Homa returns to Los Angeles this year with his winning ways, that signature mustache and a little swagger.

The 31-year-old Homa is all local. He was born in Burbank and prepped at Valencia High school. He’s also the defending champion of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera CC. It’s an awesome distinction.

“This is the coolest thing I’ll ever do,” Homa said at Riviera CC recently. “I could win a Masters. I could win five in a row, and this would be cooler than that for me. Just for me. Not for the world of golf but for me.”

Homa lives in Arizona now but this is always home. He’s finding his niche among golf’s elite, too. He won the Wells Fargo Championship in 2019, followed by the Genesis last year and Fortinet Championship in September. That fall win vaulted him to No. 1 in the FedEx Cup rankings for two weeks. He’s now ranked 10th.

Homa is playing some of the best golf of his career the last couple of years and doing it all with his longtime friend and caddie, Joe Greiner.

They met when Homa was 6 years old, on the golf course of course. They enjoy dining together and going to Dodgers and Lakers games.

“I respect him a lot,” Homa said of Greiner. “He was the best golfer in our area growing up, minus maybe one guy. He’s older than me so I look up to him. The way I describe Joe on and off the course is if he tells me I need to do something I take his word for it.

“I know he wants me to be as successful as I want to be, and I think that’s a really cool partnership. We are friends first and business associates second. I know he knows that. We enjoy being with each other. He’s a tremendous golfer.”

Greiner, 35, is four years older than Homa. The two met playing in a tournament at the par-3 Vista Valencia Golf Course, known as “Chica.”

Their partnership culminated in a dream come true victory at Riviera CC.

“It’s our favorite tournament,” Greiner said. “It’s a golf course we’re both really familiar with and an area where we both grew up. There’s a lot of excitement. Max has to get used to defending his title at tournaments. That comes with a little more pressure and a little more stuff to do during the week, so it’s a good learning opportunity for Max to know when to handle when he is defending a tournament and what’s important for him that week to make sure he can still play his best.”

Homa is known for his engaging personality and funny social media posts. Fans know they can post a video of their golf swing, and he’ll have something interesting to say about those hacker swings.

Homa is seemingly unflappable on the course but last year at the Genesis, he missed a short putt on the final hole to win the tournament. He recovered and won on the second playoff hole. He had gone to the driving range before the playoff and talked to his wife, Lacey, on the phone. And Greiner gave him a pep talk. He told him: “Max, this is your city. This is your favorite tournament. And this is your favorite golf course. Now, let’s go win the tournament.”

And they did.

Fans will be back at the tournament this year after no spectators were allowed last year due to COVID protocols. Kids will undoubtedly line his gallery.

“It’s surreal. It’s odd. It makes me want to do better and show them the right way to do things,” Homa said of being a role model. “It’s really neat to know that whether I’m 5-over or 5-under, I’ve had kids come up and say ‘you’re my favorite golfer and I want to do this and this like you.’ It seems silly to me but trying to get used to it and appreciate it at the same time.”

He gets recognized more at gas stations, Homa joked.

“He’s good for the game of golf,” Greiner said. “If the golf world can know him a little more, that’d be great. He’s a really great and humble person. And he’s one helluva golfer.”

SCGA Hall of Fame Welcomes 14th Class of Inductees

October 28, 2021

Photos

The SCGA Hall of Fame inducted its 14th class today at El Niguel CC in Laguna Niguel. The legendary father-son duo of John and Kemp Richardson were inducted during a ceremony at their home club, along with golf legend and past SCGA president Lynn Smith.

John Richardson

A native of Long Beach, John Richardson was an outstanding golfer and luminary contributor to Southern California golf, though many of his most notable on-course accomplishments happened later in his life.

In 1961, Richardson was crowned the California Amateur Champion and in 1973, at the age of 52, he won the SCGA Amateur Championship, joining just 13 others to win both prestigious titles.

As he entered the senior ranks, Richardson's dominating golf game led him to become a two-time winner of the SCGA Senior Amateur Championship, earning crowns in 1979 and 1986.

In 1987, Richardson received national recognition when he won the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the age of 66, the event's third-oldest winner at the time.

Beyond his accolades as a player, Richardson also made a significant contribution to golf in Southern California. One of the founding members and driving forces in the design and construction of his home course, El Niguel Country Club, he laid claim to one club championship and lost another year in the finals to his son, Kemp.

While he passed away a year after his U.S. Senior Amateur win, Richardson’s accomplishments and contributions were honored in 2006, when he was inducted into the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame, joining his son, who was inducted two years' prior.

Kemp Richardson

After his father John introduced him to the game, Kemp Richardson followed in his footsteps, although on a more traditional path.

Kemp Richardson’s golf career took off in college when he became a three-year member of the University of Southern California’s golf team, earning All-American status in 1967 and 1968.

With his booming drives and impeccable short game, Richardson went on to play in 20 USGA events, winning Low Amateur Medalist honors in the U.S. Senior Open in 1999 and again in 2000. He echoed his father’s USGA success, winning the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship in 2001, making history as the first father-son championship duo. He would win another U.S. Senior Amateur in 2003.

Richardson’s accolades extend beyond borders, with two British Senior Amateur Championships on his C.V., along with a win at the 2006 Canadian Senior Amateur Championship.

More recently, Richardson added two more championship victories to his resume, as he took consecutive crowns at the SCGA Super Senior Championship in 2016 and 2017.

To this day he continues his passion for the game at his home club, El Niguel CC, where he and his father’s legacies are forever ingrained in history.

Locally, Richardson was inducted into the Long Beach Hall of Fame in 2004.

Lynn Smith

Lynn Smith dedicated his life to serving the golf community. After growing up in Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduating from Yale in 1924, his move to California in 1955 kickstarted his leadership and involvement in the golf industry. An avid golfer, Smith was a member of Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena, where he became president from 1955-56. Concurrent to his membership at Annandale, Smith belonged to some of the world’s most prestigious and exclusive clubs, including Cypress Point, Augusta National Golf Club, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and Pine Valley Country Club.

Smith became a prominent figure in the SCGA, serving on almost every SCGA committee en route to becoming the organization's president in 1965. During this presidency, he played an instrumental role in the USGA Handicap System by negotiating changes to create national uniformity, such as taking the best 10 of a player’s last 20 scores and including decimals in course rating. The installation of the slope system for evaluating course difficulty and a player’s handicap was also pioneered by Smith and is a continuing practice to this day.

Smith’s leadership continued in 1966 when he became the president of the California Golf Association; that same year, he became a USGA Executive Committee member where he chaired on multiple committees, including: Handicap, Amateur Status, Senior Championship, Green Section, Finance, Rules of Golf, Championship and Implements and Balls.

He later went on to become Vice President of the USGA Executive Committee in 1974.

His vast experience and knowledge of the game brought him to renowned golf events the world over, where he assumed a role on the Masters Rules Committee and dedicated his time as a Rules Official for the U.S. Open and myriad PGA TOUR tournaments. In the late 70s, he was recognized as a California Golf Writers honoree and, a decade later, had the SCGA’s highest honor named for him – The Lynn Smith Award -- acknowledging the time and expertise he tirelessly and ceaselessly devoted to the game.

Nikki Gatch Elected President of the SCGA

October 26, 2021

Nikki Gatch, PGA, and an SCGA member through the SCPGA Tour Alumni, was selected as both the first-ever female president and PGA member of the Association at its Annual Meeting, held virtually this morning. She succeeds El Dorado Park Men’s Club member Bob Livingstone.

“Being the first PGA Professional and first woman to become SCGA President is an honor I am truly humbled by,” said Gatch. “I don’t take the honor and responsibility lightly, and I vow, along with my fellow Board Members, to continue to lead this great Association with integrity, passion and vision, just as the Presidents before me have done. The opportunity and responsibility with being first is to ensure you’re not the last.”

Gatch serves as Assistant Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer for the Southern California PGA section. Prior to that, Gatch worked for the PGA of America as a Player Development Regional Manager and then as Regional League Manager. She was previously a co-owner of Emerald Isle Golf Course for three years with her husband and fellow PGA member, Don.

Gatch joined the SCGA Board in 2014 and has supplied her passion for the game to numerous committees, including Communications & Marketing, Hall of Fame, Membership Development and SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. She has also served as the emcee for the annual So Cal Women’s Summit, co-managed by the SCGA and the SCPGA.

Joining Nikki on the 2021-22 SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Mike Ortega, Skylinks GC and Gauchos and Gringos, Secretary Huy Dang, Griffith Park GC as well as Treasurer Zack Moran, GC Superintendents Club and Olivas Links GC. Nikki will lead a diverse board representing a cross-section of clubs, backgrounds, skills and geography. Also serving on the 2021-2022 board are:

Jorge Badel, South Bay Pub Links GC
John Fischer, The Los Angeles CC
Lynne Haraway, Porter Valley CC
John Kobara, Screaming Eagles GC
Azucena Maldonado, Latina Golfers GC
George Mallory, Rancho Park GC
Tom Reul, Briarwood GC
and Immediate Past President Bob Livingstone, El Dorado Park Men’s GC and Recreation Park Men’s GC

Honored at the meeting were:

Phil Frengs, who received the Lynn Smith Award, which honors individuals who show outstanding contributions and service to amateur golf in Southern California. Frengs is a past president and long-time board member for the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. He is actively involved beyond our foundation, supporting college golf, Friends of Golf and especially, the UCLA Bruins Women’s Golf team. Within our Foundation, Phil served as a long-time scholarship committee chair and still serves on our scholarship committee. Nine years ago, he founded the main funding mechanism for our scholarship program. The COPi Cup Intraclub Pro-Am at Pebble Beach has contributed $1.34 million dollars since inception and thanks in large part to Phil, 156 students have received assistance to attend college.

Dick Beckman, who received the Jim House Award, which recognizes the work of an exceptional SCGA volunteer. Beckman’s commitment to volunteerism along with his passion for the Rules and championship golf have made him an incredible ambassador and family member of the SCGA since 2004.

Sheldon Sommer, who is a well-established figure at the South Course Men’s Golf Club, was named winner of the Newell Pinch Delegate of the Year award for his continued engagement with the SCGA. He helped set up the club’s online portal to make the membership process easy for both members and non-members. Sommer also helps the SCGA market the club via our website as well as through the SCGA’s Associate Member Program.

Jamie Templeton, the handicap chair at El Carison Women’s Golf Club, was awarded the Don Carlson Handicap Chair of the Year Award. Templeton has been instrumental in partnering with the SCGA, and by utilizing the software provided, she has added to the effectiveness of managing the club more efficiently. She is extremely engaged with both the SCGA and her members, ensuring all handicap-related issues are addressed for her club.

LA84 Foundation received the John Argue Founder’s Award, established to honor SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Founder and former SCGA President John C. Argue. In their own positive youth development efforts: Give Golf a Shot and the Road to Riviera, they continually work with us and seek our input to collaborate on how to best serve So Cal youth through the game. LA84 also creates the space and network that allows Foundation staff to collaborate and grow with others in positive youth development and youth sports. Finally, they have been incredibly generous funders, granting more than $200,000 to our programs, including an amazing $100,000 grant this year to allow us to hire and train more and more coaches.

Keenan Barber was honored with the President’s Award, annually given to an SCGA member or member club who furthers the mission of SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. Barber is an avid junior golf advocate and volunteer, which includes commitments to us, but also to high school golf and the First Tee of Coachella Valley. He is a long-time SCGA championships volunteer as well as a past SCGA board member and president.

Luke Potter was named the SCGA Player of the Year after continued dominance on the national stage as one of the top players in the country. Potter was a semifinalist at the U.S. Junior Amateur, reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and advanced to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur. He also won the inaugural Maridoe Amateur over a star-studded field. Locally, he finished seventh at this year’s SCGA Amateur Championship.

Kelly Xu was recognized as the SCGA Women’s Player of the Year after kicking off the season by winning the girls’ division of the Southern California Junior Amateur before winning the SCGA Women’s Amateur by five strokes eight months later. She almost completed the “triple crown” at the California Women’s Amateur but fell just short in the semifinals. Xu also reached the round of 32 at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship.

Robert Funk earned the SCGA Senior Player of the Year honors, as his presence on the senior stage is just beginning for the xx-year old. Funk kicked off the points race by winning the California Senior Amateur Championship at Poppy Hills GC. His consistent play throughout the season included tying for fifth at the SCGA Senior Amateur, sixth at the SCGA Mid-Amateur, and second at the SCGA Senior Four-Ball. He also qualified to participate in this year’s U.S. Senior Open.

One event still hangs in the balance and will determine our Senior Women’s Player of the Year. The California Senior Women’s Amateur Championship will be conducted at the San Jose Country Club on Nov. 15-17. Several players have a chance to win this prestigious state championship, along with the SCGA Senior Women’s Player of the Year honors.

SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Partners with Youth on Course

October 04, 2021

The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation is pleased to announce a partnership with the national non-profit organization Youth on Course (YOC) to give local junior golfers further access to affordable rounds of golf and life-changing opportunities.

The partnership will expand upon the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation’s programming by giving its more than 5,000 members access to nearly 1,700 courses across the country and in parts of Canada for $5 or less. Members also become eligible to participate in career opportunities through Youth on Course’s internship program and can utilize support for continuing education through the nonprofit’s college scholarships.

“The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation positively impacts the lives of so many young people and we’re proud to partner with them,” says Michael Lowe, vice president of programs for Youth on Course. “Together, we’ll give youth in Southern California access to even more opportunities and a growing community to help them thrive on and off the course.”

Youth on Course, with its roots tied to NCGA, has been on an aggressive expansion path over the last several years. Today, 59 Allied Golf Associations across the United States and Canada participate in the program.

“The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation and Youth on Course are aligned in their missions to create opportunities in and beyond the game for junior golfers,” says Kevin Gigax, executive director for SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. “Solidifying this partnership will further expand local and national opportunities for our kids. With our passion for developing youth on and beyond the course, we’re thrilled to now be partners with Youth on Course for the betterment of the game and the advancement of our kids.”

Through the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation program, a number of area courses will be accessible to Youth on Course members immediately including San Diego County’s Goat Hill, Ventura County’s Rustic Canyon, Riverside County’s Goose Creek, along with Los Angeles’ county and city golf systems.

Current members of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Golf Club will now also be Youth on Course members, and prospective members between the ages of 5-18 can sign up for an SCGA Junior Youth on Course membership here: youthoncourse.org/join, or though the SCGA website here: scgajunior.org/join.

Operating across North America, Youth on Course has more than 130,000 active members. Since 2006, juniors have played more than 1.3 million subsidized rounds of golf while the organization has helped generate more than $8 million in tee-time revenue reimbursed back to individual golf courses. In addition to subsidized rounds, Youth on Course puts their members’ lives on a different trajectory by providing off-course growth and learning experiences including paid internships, a caddie program and nationwide scholarships, with more than 300 students awarded with college scholarships to date totaling more than $2 million awarded through the scholarship program.

About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to help young people grow and succeed both on and off the course by providing opportunities to play, learn, grow, and build relationships through affordable, inclusive access to play. More than 130,000 members play more than 1,700 golf courses for $5 or less, benefit from career opportunities through the caddie and internship program and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, more than one million subsidized rounds have been played by Youth on Course members and more than $2 million has been awarded in college scholarships. Across North America, Youth on Course serves all of the United States of America and parts of Canada.

About the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation
SCGA Junior Golf Foundation’s mission is to develop an inclusive golf community that enables kids to thrive on & beyond the course. Through its programs, SCGA Junior Golf Foundation works to fulfill its mission by creating affordable access to golf for all youth, teaching smart decision-making skills on and off the course and developing a culture of healthy lifestyles. Founded in 1983, SCGA Junior Golf Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Southern California Golf Association.

About the SCGA
The SCGA is devoted to providing all Southland golfers with the best experience possible. Its primary goal is to enhance the enjoyment of the game for those who actively live the golf lifestyle or have just learned to swing a club. Advocating on behalf of our community of passionate golfers, the SCGA provides accessible and affordable opportunities for anyone looking to be involved with the game.

Southern California Golf Association and Woodford Reserve Announce Partnership

June 28, 2021

The Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) announces a corporate partnership with Woodford Reserve, a market-leading super-premium Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey company.

Through the newly formed agreement which begins July 1, the SCGA will help Woodford Reserve raise awareness of its brand among the SCGA’s 175,000 golf enthusiasts, including a growing female membership.

“The SCGA is excited to kick off this new relationship to help Woodford Reserve expand its connection to the game of golf in Southern California while providing SCGA members with enriched golf experiences on and off the course,” said SCGA’s Executive Director, Kevin Heaney.

Along with general brand advertising through SCGA media vehicles, Woodford Reserve over the next year will hold prominent partnership positions to more deeply engage and interact with SCGA membership, including Official Spirits Partner status and a Presenting Sponsorship of the SCGA Member Outings program.

"We are honored to partner with the SCGA and introduce the world's finest bourbon to new consumers. There's no better way to celebrate a round of golf than with a Woodford Reserve cocktail," said Woodford Reserve’s Field Marketing Manager, Valerie Kelly.

The SCGA’s membership, comprised of golfers at golf clubs aligned with both private and public facilities, will have the opportunity to engage with Woodford Reserve via the following partnership components:

Official Spirits Partner

Woodford Reserve will be recognized as the Official Spirits Partner of the SCGA on all digital and print SCGA partner communications, aligning the premier bourbon with the premier golf organization in the Southland.

SCGA Member Outings Presenting Sponsor

Woodford Reserve will receive Presented By recognition for the SCGA’s premier non-competitive playing program held at some of the Southland’s most prominent private and public facilities. In addition, at select Member Outings, Woodford Reserve will create special onsite activations where a brand ambassador will create signature cocktails while players compete in a hole-in-one contest, with prizes courtesy of Woodford Reserve. All communications and marketing materials supporting and promoting the SCGA Member Outings program will include Woodford Reserve branding, including onsite event support.

SCGA Signature Cocktail Feature

To help members create and produce unforgettable cocktails and experiences, the SCGA will feature a Woodford Reserve signature cocktails through custom editorial features in upcoming issues of the SCGA’s award-winning FORE Magazine. The signature cocktail feature will be extended across digital content and social media promotion.

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About the SCGA

The SCGA is devoted to providing all Southland golfers with the best experience possible. Its primary goal is to enhance the enjoyment of the game for those who actively live the golf lifestyle or have just learned to swing a club. Advocating on behalf of our community of passionate golfers, the SCGA provides accessible and affordable opportunities for anyone looking to be involved with the game. Whether crowning champions at amateur tournaments or providing a Handicap Index to track a golfer’s progress, the SCGA is committed to providing exceptional service to its members.

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve® is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery, tucked in the heart of thoroughbred country in Versailles, Kentucky. A National Historic Landmark, the Woodford Reserve Distillery represents craftsmanship with a balance of historic heritage and modern practices. Woodford Reserve is a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, a premier producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands including Jack Daniel’s, Finlandia, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Old Forester, Sonoma-Cutrer and Chambord. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. To learn more about Woodford Reserve, visit us woodfordreserve.com or check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/woodfordreserve.

Celebrating Recognition in Sports and Society

February 22, 2021

Originally published in Feb. 2012

When Terry Black and Fred MacFarlane were growing up in Southern California, the African-American experience had little connection to the game of golf. Today, as members of the SCGA Board of Directors, both men rejoice over the barriers that have come down and the inclusiveness that exists in the sport and throughout society.

Black (right) recalls being a business student at East Los Angeles in the early 1960s, and golf was a physical education requirement for the major. “I thought, ‘I don’t play golf,’” he said. “‘That’s a white man’s sport.’ ”

And why wouldn’t he reach such a conclusion, based on characterizations advanced by the media?

“Golf was becoming popular on television,” MacFarlane said of the same era. “You saw a little bit of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player. But you never saw any black golfers. Never saw them. Never heard about them. Never read about them.

“It wasn’t until the late-’60s, into the ’70s, that you began to understand: Who’s this Charlie Sifford? Where’d he come from? And he wasn’t a younger player at that point. Lee Elder. Why can’t he play in the Masters?”

As the nation celebrates Black History Month, Black and MacFarlane take pride in programs – such as the SCGA Foundation’s Youth on Course – that make golf more affordable to all young golfers, including minorities.

“As kids back then,” Black said, “we played basketball, football and baseball on the streets, and golf was more of an individual thing. They didn’t have the programs they have today to get youth involved. And for a blue-collar family, even if they did, they really couldn’t afford it. Golf was very expensive.”

The success of a player like Tiger Woods has helped broaden the game’s appeal, too. “That had a big impact among the youth,” Black said. “ ‘That’s someone who looks like me. I can do that.’ ”

I can do that. The phrase gained more viability in all aspects of African-American life with the success of the civil rights movement, said MacFarlane (left, with son Patrick). “You could have had stellar accomplishments in medicine, science, inventions or even sports, but if they go unknown, it’s as if they never happened,” he said. “Until the mid-’60s, that was the state and condition of black history generally.”

A seminal event was a TV special, “Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed,” which was hosted by Bill Cosby and aired by CBS in July 1968, just three months after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King. It recounted the work of many innovative figures in the African-American community.

People began to learn about Garrett Morgan, who invented the device that was the forerunner of the modern three-light traffic signal, and that of Dr. Charles Drew, a pioneer in blood collection and plasma processing who saved thousands of GI lives during World War II because of the extensive blood banks he developed.

“When people realize you notched accomplishments that can benefit society, the perception of a people changes,” MacFarlane said. “We’re talking about a legacy where servitude was the premise for African-Americans being in the United States, so black history is part of the overcoming of that history.

“People will ask all the time, Why do African-Americans need a month where it’s their history month? Why can’t it be we’re all Americans and we celebrate American history? Part of that is because for so long the history of African-Americans in American history was just not a thread woven into the storytelling of this country. We were nonexistent in the history books.

“We have [African-American] generations growing up, and it’s important for them to see hard work being done, and society is better because of the skill, hard work and accomplishments of people like themselves.”

SCGA earns multiple honors at PGA Show

February 02, 2021

The SCGA took top honors in three unique categories at the 27^th Annual International Network of Golf (ING) Media Awards on Friday at the PGA Merchandise Show Virtual Experience. Impressively, this year’s ING Awards saw a 30 percent increase in entries compared to last year, and the program attracted more entries than any year since 2001.

“We are very proud of the collaborative efforts by our team which led to this recognition,” said SCGA Executive Director Kevin Heaney. “It was a goal, particularly when faced with last year’s challenges, to ensure that our community was informed and well-served. This took the creative talents of our entire team.”

The Association’s Rules Crew video program earned 1st place in the Internet Video category. A product of inter-departmental collaboration spearheaded by the Championships & Golf Operations department, these funny and zany videos feature our own SCGA staff and give viewers a unique look at the Rules of Golf. To view an archive of these episodes, click here.

The SCGA’s podcast, Quarantine Chronicles, also earned 1st place recognition in the Podcast category. A new member engagement venture in 2020, several of the most successful episodes have featured SCGA staff discussing core services, such as our visits with Craig Kessler, Jeff Ninnemann and Doug Sullivan. The podcast has also welcomed high-profile guests from the world of golf and entertainment, including Matt Wolff, Haley Moore, Max Homa and Chris Harrison, amongst others. To view the entire library of episodes, click here.

The SCGA’s flagship FORE Magazine was named an Outstanding Achiever in the Publication category, while contributor Tina Mickelson took home 1st place honors for her opinion piece in the Winter 2020 issue. Judd Spicer and Joe Passov also earned additional Outstanding Achiever awards for their respective FORE Magazine features.

The internally managed magazine publication continues to serve as an example of the Association’s dynamic teamwork, with each department contributing valuable story pitches and recurring features to complement the magazine’s travel, lifestyle and human-interest content. For more information on FORE Magazine, plus digital access, click here.

To showcase to our membership the variety of accolades for our best-in-class programs and services, the SCGA created a dedicated page scga.org/awards.

ING is a non-profit, media-based networking organization and conducts the awards program for its membership, which is open to anyone in the golf industry and media.

SCGA Embraces Diversity and Celebrates Inclusiveness

As one of the largest regional golf associations in the U.S., the SCGA has one of the most diverse memberships in the nation with 175,000 women and men who enjoy the game of golf at public and private courses. Through our SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, a diverse group of 6,300 young people have $1-5 green fee and driving range access thanks to partnership with public and municipal golf facilities. We also mentor young people through our golf youth development programs conducted in partnership or collaboration with public golf courses. The young people we reach, teach, serve and support are the future of golf.

Our members, member clubs and juniors aren’t just golfers, they’re members of our broader society. We know where golf has been historically. We know where it must go to have a lasting future. The platform for golf’s future must be based on thoughtfulness, understanding and acknowledgement. If golf remains committed to those three attributes, meaningful sports and social progress remains possible.

At the SCGA and SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, we embrace our diversity and celebrate our inclusiveness. We resoundingly reject bigotry, intolerance and racial animus. There’s no place for those social perspectives in golf or anywhere else in civil society. And we intend to see that it stays that way as we help our members pursue their passion. The future of golf must be more accessible, affordable and welcoming to women, men and young people of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Achieving that future is at the heart of our mission.

Bob Livingstone Elected President of the SCGA

October 28, 2020

Bob Livingstone, a member of El Dorado Park Men’s GC and Recreation Park Men’s GC, was selected and approved by his fellow board members as the new president of the Southern California Golf Association at its Annual Meeting, held virtually Wednesday morning. He succeeds Industry Hills GC member Fred MacFarlane.

“I know our staff, and I know our Board, and I know most of our volunteers, and I know that this Association is working every day to continually improve the services provided to you, our members, and to help and to promote and to administer the game of golf here in Southern California,” said Livingstone. “My promise as your President is that we will continue to be one of the – if not the – premier regional golf Association in America.”

Livingstone has extensive experience in the golf world. Until his recent retirement after years of public service, Bob served as Superintendent of Golf Operations and Contract Management for the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. Before that, Bob coached the Long Beach State Men’s Golf team for 14 years and was named Big West Coach of the Year in 2000. Earlier he served as the SCPGA's Junior Golf Director.

He joined the SCGA Board in 2010 and has supplied his passion for the game as chair of the Board Development, Championships & Golf Operations, Hall of Fame and Strategic Planning committees, while also serving on the Governmental Affairs and Ad Hoc on Bylaws committees.

Joining Bob on the SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Nikki Gatch, SCPGA Tour Alumni, Secretary Mike Ortega, Skylinks GC and Gauchos and Gringos as well as Treasurer Huy Dang, Griffith Park GC.

Honored at the Annual Meeting were:

Bim Jollymour, who received the Jim House Award, which recognizes the work of an exceptional SCGA volunteer. Jollymour has been a dedicated volunteer since 2002 and serves as a passionate Rules Official.

Linda Bienhoff, who is a well-established figure at the Balboa Park Women’s Golf Club, was named the winner of the Newell Pinch Delegate of the Year Award for her service to the SCGA in a variety of ways including help set up the club’s online portal to make the membership process easy for both members and non-members.

Noel Murchet, who is a long-time member of the Los Angeles City Firefighters GC since 1984, was awarded the Don Carlson Handicap Chair of the Year Award for his dedicated service as the club’s tournament director and secretary prior becoming the Handicap Chair in 1995, a position he still holds today.

Friends of Golf received the John Argue Founder’s Award, established to honor SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Founder and former SCGA President John C. Argue. The organization’s support dates back more than ten years, but most critical was their seed funding in 2015 that allowed the Foundation to launch our Player and Youth Development program. Through their support, the program, which was initially at one facility, in one community, has grown to six sites in three communities across Southern California.

Rebecca Ramirez was honored with the President’s Award, annually given to an SCGA member or member club who’s dedicated to furthering the mission of SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. Ramirez, a long-time volunteer, tirelessly works on local fundraiser projects. She most recently served as the chair of last year’s helicopter ball drop fundraiser, which raised more than $4,000 for local programming.

Torey Edwards was named the SCGA Player of the Year after an outstanding season. He kicked off the points race with a top-10 at the SCGA Four-Ball before nearly winning medalist honors at the California Amateur Championship at Torrey Pines in July. A few weeks later, he tied for fourth at the SCGA Amateur before capping the season by winning the SCGA Mid-Amateur.

Zoe Campos and Caroline Canales were both recognized as co-SCGA Women’s Player of the Year. Campos won the girls’ division of the Southern California Junior Amateur before advancing to the Round of 16 at the California Women’s Amateur and finishing sixth at the SCGA Women’s Amateur. She also earned an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur, where she advanced to the Round of 32.

Canales finished sixth at the CIF/SCGA Girls SoCal High School Championship before following that up with a win at the CIF Girls State HS Championship at Poppy Hills, the only player under par that day. She advanced to the quarters of the California Women’s Amateur, earned an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur and tied for fourth at the SCGA Women’s Amateur.

Craig Davis earned the SCGA Senior Player of the Year honors after kicking off the season with a tie for second at the California Senior Amateur Championship. He finished T-15 at the SCGA Senior Tournament of Club Champions, before capping another incredible year with his fourth consecutive SCGA Senior Amateur Championship. This is Davis’ second POTY honors (2018).

With the reorganization of this year’s championship calendar, one event still hangs in the balance that will determine our Senior Women’s Player of the Year. Several players still have the chance to win the Senior Women’s Player of the Year honors. Stay tuned for a champion to be crowned at the Victoria Club on Nov. 9-10.

For a full archive of the SCGA’s past award winners, please click here.

COVID-19 - Events tab

July 24, 2020

The SCGA remains committed to safely conducting as many of its events as we possibly can given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The following outlines our safety guidelines for the 2021 season.

SCGA Guidelines for Competitions SCGA Guidelines for Member Outings

For a full listing of 2021 competitive offerings, including Championships, USGA Qualifiers and One-Day Series events, click here.

For the 2021 Member Outings schedule, click here.

All events are subject to change. The SCGA will update all participants if/when changes occur.

For all general updates regarding golf during COVID-19, visit the SCGA's real-time blog here.

SCGA Team Play

The SCGA has delayed the start of Team Play until Mar. 4 (Thursday) and Mar. 6 (Saturday). To view a revised Team Play schedule, click here.

Given the state’s Regional Stay at Home Order and the many county and city orders that overlay them, we must adapt to address the complexities that these present to our programs. The Association is compelled to follow all extant rules and regulations until they are changed, and we trust you understand that this stance is the most effective way to serve the long-term interests of golfers and golf clubs.

The USGA’s Strategic Pivot Toward Facilities and Public Golf

March 09, 2020

Most anniversaries begin with a retrospective. The USGA Green Section commences its 100th anniversary with a prospective – a reimagining of its services and offerings to bring them in alignment with the pillars of the USGA strategic plan announced to the world Feb. 29 by USGA Executive Director Mike Davis at the USGA’s 125th Annual Meeting.

The key pillars: A focus on golf facilities in general and public golf facilities in specific. More accurately, a recognition that the “sustainability” pillar the USGA added to its strategic quiver some years ago necessarily involves more than environmental sustainability; it involves economic and social sustainability as well. And it particularly involves economic and social health at the nation’s municipal golf courses, the places where the game has been introduced, grown and sustained for generations.

Less than one week after Mike Davis announced these pivots, the USGA asked its SCGA partner on the ground in Southern California to invite the region’s municipalities, ownership/management groups, and allied associations to a meeting where the USGA’s Green Section and Regional Affairs Departments might gain insights as to how best to create services and offerings capable of bringing value to public sector golf in Southern California. A conversation among allies in a common cause, not a lecture from a distant ivory tower.

That SCGA facilitated conversation took place last Thursday at Skylinks @ Long Beach, one of the City of Long Beach’s five municipally owned golf courses, a 3-hour conversation that:

- Shared the USGA’s preliminary ideas about products and programs specifically geared to the public sector;

- Received ample input from the assembled government officials, management/ownership groups and allied associations about those preliminary ideas;

- Entertained a bevy of ideas about what the USGA might do in terms of specific products, programs and/or direct assistance to best assist Southern California’s public courses; and

- Engaged the assemblage in an honest and open dialog about the USGA’s relationship with public golf in Southern California.

The fact that the Executive Directors of the SCGA, Southern California PGA Section, California Golf Course Owners Association, and Southern California Chapter Golf Course Superintendents Association were in attendance is testament to just how much importance these leadership organizations place on the health of the municipal game. The Vice-President of the American Association of Golf Course Architects also graced the assembly with his presence – an indicator of just how much energy that sector of the industry is putting into reimagining and revitalizing the public game for 21st Century relevance.

Where to from here? For the USGA no doubt more of these regional listening and learning sessions. For the SCGA, continuing to act as a conduit for the dissemination of those services and offerings once the USGA is finished reimagining them for public sector specific utility. For the ownership/management groups, government employees and allied associations in the room, the use of those services and offerings to be sure, but perhaps more importantly, a more direct and productive relationship with the game’s self-proclaimed “governor” to replace the relationship that they have long been characterized as distant and removed.

At the beginning of 2020, the SCGA's advocacy efforts pinpointed 2020 as the year it got “serious” about addressing what is fast becoming an existential crisis in the region’s municipal sector. If last week’s affair in Long Beach is any indication, the game is fast coming to the same conclusion. And that should give Southern California public players pause for optimism; the pain you’re feeling has been recognized by your leadership organizations, and they are now laser focused on dulling it.

This meeting was not a “one-and-done” effort. The USGA’s strategic pivots towards facilities and public golf are long-term and substantive; they will unfold over time. The SCGA will continue to play the role of facilitator, communicator, aggregator and stimulator. Stay tuned.

SCGA and American Golf Corporation (AGC) Announce Partnership

February 25, 2020

STUDIO CITY AND EL SEGUNDO – American Golf Corporation (AGC) and the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) today announced a strategic partnership to maximize engagement with Southern California golfers, provide more playing opportunities to the community and develop more core players, those who play 8+ rounds per year.

Together AGC and SCGA will partner to:

• Leverage their vast audiences (300k+ SoCal Golfers) to create and disseminate dynamic, entertaining and educational golf content
  
• Produce a wide range of impactful golf events at American Golf’s SoCal facilities, including SCGA Twilight Leagues at more than 35 American Golf properties
  
• Integrate product offerings; AGC Players Club members will be able to quickly and easily add a USGA Handicap Index to their PC membership, while Players Club members will have opportunities to participate in SCGA activities at reduced rates
  
• Enhance support for junior golf through complementary youth programming
  

“Both organizations want to see more players out on the golf course, more golfers who are extremely passionate about the game, and more people who play golf as often as they possibly can,” said SCGA Executive Director Kevin Heaney. “American Golf and the SCGA have the same goal: grow the game and develop more core golfers. With American Golf’s oversight of 50+ golf courses and 50,000 Players Club members, and the SCGA’s network of 1,400 golf clubs and 170,000 members, it makes perfect strategic sense for the two organizations to combine efforts to better engage our golf community here in Southern California.”

“Our goal is to support a golfer’s progression from the driving range to the golf course, and then into an organized golf activity,” said Chris May, Vice President of Revenue Management at American Golf. “In the long run, the golfers that play in organized group activities will play the most golf, encourage their friends to play, and keep our courses and the industry healthy. We believe that our partnership with the SCGA is a key step toward accomplishing this goal.”

In the Summer of 2019, the SCGA administered its leagues program at seven AGC facilities, driving revenue and rounds of golf during off peak twilight times. With more than 50 teams and an extremely high player retention rate during the eight-week program, the SCGA’s league program culminated in a successful SoCal League Championship.

American Golf and the SCGA have a long history of working together. Over the past decade, the two organizations have collaborated on issues of critical importance to the game of golf – water, environmental sustainability and keeping public golf affordable and accessible for juniors and schools in particular.

About the SCGA

The SCGA is devoted to providing all Southland golfers with the best experience possible. Its primary goal is to enhance the enjoyment of the game for those who actively live the golf lifestyle or have just learned to swing a club. Advocating on behalf of our community of passionate golfers, the SCGA provides accessible and affordable opportunities for anyone looking to be involved with the game. Whether crowning champions at amateur tournaments or providing a Handicap Index to track a golfer’s progress, the SCGA is committed to providing exceptional service to its members.

About American Golf

American Golf's portfolio consists of over 70 private club, daily fee, and municipal courses. It has been an operating partner with the cities of New York and San Diego for 30 years, and—as the largest daily-fee golf course operator in California including over 30 in Southern California. This long history of golf course ownership and management across the nation allows it to understand local demographics and provide customers with a multitude of unique golf experiences, while simultaneously offering our partners a comprehensive database of highly targeted golfers and integrated marketing opportunities.

Media Contact

JONATHAN COE
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860-248-5556

SCGA Receives National Honor

January 21, 2020

For its “tireless efforts” in advocacy, the SCGA has been named a 2020 Award Winner by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). Winner of the NGCOA’s Champion Award, the SCGA was recognized at the Golf Business Conference on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in Orlando, Fla.

The Champion Award is bestowed upon entities which have succeeded in working on behalf of a group of owners – locally, regionally, nationally or internationally – and have garnered significant victory for their members. Each year, the Conference recognizes the most outstanding members of the past year, and the people and organizations that have helped preserve the tradition of the game while embracing the challenges and opportunities of the golf business.

Known for its efforts to create golf commissions, committees, and boards in the region’s largest municipal programs, the SCGA’s Governmental Affairs team provides public golfers and public golf clubs seats at the tables where the public policies governing their courses and clubs are determined. Among its recent achievements, the SCGA’s Governmental Affairs team has secured sanction from the California Department of Water Resources for a golf industry alternative in the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. This created a standard for all of California’s planning agencies to follow when approving landscapes, new constructions and reconstructions. The Department also led the California golf community in working with similarly situated industries to secure a “business to business for professional services” exception within the bill AB 5, that enables forms of independent contracting in the golf industry.

SCGA Hall of Fame Welcomes 13th Class of Inductees

October 29, 2019

Photos

The SCGA Hall of Fame inducted its 13th class Tuesday at Brookside GC in Pasadena in front of more than 200 guests. Brandie Burton, five-time Solheim Cup member and two-time LPGA Major Champion, and Joe Novak, an integral name within Bel-Air CC’s history, were honored and inducted into the prestigious hall of fame.

From the beginning of her career in the SoCal junior golf circuit to her success on the LPGA Tour, Burton set the bar high with no shortage of accolades.

Before graduating from Eisenhower HS in Rialto, CA, she was already the 1988 PGA National Champion, the 1989 U.S. Girl’s Junior Champion and a two-time winner of the San Diego Junior World Championships. With that resume, Burton proved to be Sun Devil material, joining the Arizona State University women’s golf team in the Fall of 1989.

As a freshman, Burton quickly rose to the top. She won six of her first seven tournaments, capped off by a Pac-10 title, an NCAA Team Championship and a No. 1 U.S. collegiate ranking. That season alone, Burton proved she could compete with the best in the world.

After participating on the U.S. Curtis Cup team and winning the North and South Women’s Amateur Championship in the summer of 1990, she would forgo her amateur status. With an aggressive mindset and distance off the tee, Burton was named LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1991 after eight top-10 finishes.

In 1993, the San Bernardino native cemented her legacy. Up against Hall of Famer Betsy King in a sudden-death playoff at the du Maurier Classic, Burton birdied the first playoff hole to defeat the six-time major winner for her first major victory. Burton would be named 1993 Golf World Female Player of the Year. At the same event in 1998, Burton defeated 10-time major winner Annika Sörenstam by one stroke to claim her second major title.

“I don’t speak much, I’d rather be hitting around a little white ball so pardon me for the waterworks,” said Burton as she humbly accepted the honor. “You don’t really think about these kinds of awards early in your career, but I have to thank my friends and family who were there for me back then and they are still here now.”

In all, she competed in five Solheim Cups, recorded 88 top-10 finishes and was inducted into the Rialto Hall of Fame in 2007 followed by the ASU Hall of Fame in 2008. Burton, who resides in La Verne, CA, was the youngest female golfer to surpass $1 million in career earnings.

“None of my achievements could have been possible without the SCGA so for that I thank you,” Burton said.

From cleaning golf clubs for $50 a month in the small mining town of Butte, Montana, to helping mold one of the premier private clubs in all of Southern California, Novak was the author of an extreme life arc.

In 1927, Novak pondered upon joining the year-old Bel-Air CC after working for a club in Spokane, Wash. He decided to take a leap of faith, and the marriage between Novak and the club progressed through his position as head club professional, battling through the nation’s more difficult times.

Novak was the glue to Bel-Air CC’s troubles during The Great Depression and World War II. He would meet with federal officials to seek solutions and prevent closure. Though his hard work and support for Bel-Air CC never stopped, he assumed a leadership position as the PGA of America President from 1949-1951. As the first president elected from the Pacific Coast, he was an ideal ambassador for golf professionals across the country. He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2005.

To receive the induction on behalf of Novak was his son, Jay Novak.

“I really appreciate this honor – my father always wore a tie at the club so this is very fitting,” Novak explained after the unveiling of his father’s framed portrait. “I’m truly touched by this event. Bel-Air is very important to our family on a personal level and he would’ve been honored.”

Novak authored four books about golf. He also upstarted the Bel-Air CC award-winning newsletter “CHIPS” in 1929 and wrote it himself for 50 years until 1979.

Meanwhile, Novak always kept his own game in gear. 66 was his magic number, shooting it many times at Bel-Air CC and his past clubs. Prior to his tenure at Bel-Air CC, he won the 1925 NorCal Professional Championship and was runner-up in the California Professional Championship.

In 1962, Novak assumed the role of Bel-Air CC’s Director of Golf Emeritus. The annual Joe Novak Pro-Am tournament, which ran from 1971-1988, brought in many golf professionals from across the country to honor and pay their respects to Novak. Since 1989, the tournament has continued as a member event at Bel-Air CC.

Bel-Air CC recognized Novak’s 50 years of dedication to the club with a celebration in 1979, honoring his contributions through the decades. “Mr. Bel-Air” who passed away in 1982 at 83 years old, became an icon among the club and lives on till this day.

Fred MacFarlane Elected President of the SCGA

October 29, 2019

Photos

Fred MacFarlane, a member of Industry Hills GC, was elected president of the Southern California Golf Association at its Annual Meeting, held Tuesday morning at Brookside GC in Pasadena. He succeeds Lakeside GC member Chris Wilson.

“I’m honored to serve with such a collection of leaders I’m proud to call my colleagues,” said MacFarlane, upon being announced. “I look forward to our year ahead as we work together collegially – as we always have – in service of our members throughout Southern California for the betterment of amateur golf.”

MacFarlane has an extensive professional career in media relations, crisis communications, news reporting, public affairs and public service. He previously served as press secretary to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and communications director to L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. MacFarlane began his professional career as special assistant to California Lieutenant Governor Mervyn M. Dymally.

He joined the SCGA Board in 2009 and has supplied his progressive thinking and passion for the game as chair of its Communications and Marketing committee while also serving on its Governmental Affairs committee.

Joining the SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Bob Livingstone of El Dorado Park GC, Secretary Nikki Gatch of Emerald Isle GC and Treasurer Mike Ortega of Skylinks GC.

Honored at the Annual Meeting were:

Bob Osborn Jr., who received the Jim House Award, which recognizes the work of an exceptional SCGA volunteer. Osborn has been a dedicated volunteer since 1993 and serves both Course Rating and Championships & Golf Operations.

Bill Fennessy who was named the winner of the Newell Pinch Delegate of the Year Award for his service to the SCGA in a variety of ways including serving on two committees. He is also the President and Tournament Director at Altadena GC and Los Amigos GC.

Ted Johnson, who is a member of three SCGA clubs: Griffith Park GC, Sepulveda Men’s Club and Knollwood GC was awarded the Don Carlson Handicap Chair of the Year Award for his dedicated service as a board member of all three clubs.

Jorge Badel, who received the Lynn Smith Award, was honored for his outstanding contributions and service to amateur golf in Southern California. The award is not given every year.

The County of Los Angeles received the John Argue Founder’s Award, established to honor SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Founder and former SCGA President John C. Argue. County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Kevin Regan accepted the award on behalf of the county for their continued commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

Bill Misner was honored with the President’s Award, annually given to an SCGA member or member club who’s dedicated to furthering the mission of SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. Misner is a tireless volunteer and advocate who has run events across Southern California and is one of the Foundation’s most trusted volunteers.

William Mouw was named the SCGA Player of the Year Award after a remarkable season that has bridged his high school and college careers. He was the 2019 California Amateur Champion, reached the Round of 32 at the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and finished T-3 at both the 2019 CIF-SCGA SoCal Boys and CIF-CGA Boys State High School Championships. He is a freshman at Pepperdine and the 18^th-ranked amateur in the world.

Amari Avery was recognized as the youngest-ever SCGA Women’s Player of the Year. The 15-year-old was the 2019 California Women’s Amateur Champion, the 2019 SCGA Women’s Match Play runner-up and a semifinalist at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship. She is one of the top-ranked juniors in Southern California.

Jeff Wilson earned the SCGA Senior Player of the Year honors after winning the 2018 California Senior Amateur Championship. He was a semifinalist at the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, an event he won last year.

Corey Weworski was honored as the Senior Women’s Player of the Year after winning the 2019 California Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, the 2019 SCGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship and finishing third in the 2019 SCGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame Selects 2019 Inductees

July 24, 2019

The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame welcomes Gary Albin, Jennifer Bermingham and David Solomon as inductees for the 2019 year.

“The City of Long Beach has a rich tradition of golf, notable golfers and great tournaments,” said Parks, Recreation and Marine Director Gerardo Mouet. “We want to acknowledge those who were born or have lived in Long Beach and excelled at the game or made it better for those who play it. These inductees represent a significant contribution to the game of golf and golf in Long Beach in particular.”

The Induction Ceremony will follow the conclusion of the Long Beach Open at El Dorado Park GC on Sunday, Aug. 11.

Gary Albin: “Marine One” served as the United States Marine Corp pilot for the Presidential Helicopter for Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. He is a Long Beach resident who joined the SCGA Rules & Competition Committee in 2004 and the Southern California PGA (SCPGA) Rules Committee a few years later. He has worked as the head rules official for over 100 Long Beach Golf Festival events and volunteers for at least 100 days per year for the SCGA, SCPGA and Long Beach Golf Festival as an official or to mark golf courses. He has also offered educational clinics on the Rules of Golf for local men’s and women’s clubs as well as for junior and college golfers. His efforts have led to the proper playing of the game and excellent tournament experiences for thousands of Southland golfers.

Jennifer Bermingham: “Coach Jen” was born in Long Beach and prepped at Millikan HS. She attended UC Riverside (UCR) where she was the 2006 Big West Freshman of the Year. She won six college events and was named to the All Big West Team all four years. She won the 2008 California Women’s Championship and 2009 Long Beach Women’s City Championship. Jennifer earned her LPGA Class A and PGA of America Class A teaching status, becoming an instructor at Skylinks GC for eight years. She is active in the SCGA’s Swing Tip video program and has supported women’s programming through the SoCal Women’s Golf Summit presented by the SCGA and SCPGA. Jennifer also established the local LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Long Beach chapter in 2013, introducing the game to over 100 local girls. She qualified for and made the cut in the KPMG Ladies PGA Championship and has served on multiple LPGA, USGA and PGA Committees. She is now serves as an instructor at Coto de Caza G&RC.

David Solomon: David grew up playing the Long Beach municipal golf courses and he lettered at Wilson HS and Long Beach State as well as being the captain of each team. He worked at both Skylinks GC and El Dorado GC and won the club championship at each course. David was the first person to win both the Long Beach City Match Play and Long Beach Stroke Play Championships. He has been a teaching professional for six years in the Northern California PGA Section, where he worked at the Ruby Hill CC and in 2017, he was named the Head Golf Professional at Napa Valley CC. David serves on the Northern California PGA Tournament Committee and has finished among the Section’s Top-5 point winners in four different years, playing in multiple PGA National Club Professional and Assistant Professional Championships. He won the 2015 NCPGA Section Championship and played in the PGA Tour’s Safeway Open that year and was the NCPGA Player of the Year in 2017, which earned him a spot in the 2018 Pebble Beach National Pro Am.

For more information on the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame and its members, please visit: http://cityoflongbeachgolf.com/hall-of-fame/general-information

FORMER INDUCTEES:

1996: Marlene Bauer-Hagge, Bev Brines, Jane Burnsed, Tom Crosby, Paul Goydos,

Betty Hicks, Adeline Jones, George Lake, Frank Newell, Jr., Millie Stanley, Del

Walker, Marty Walker

1997: Laura Baugh, Sue Ewart, Marge Ferrie, Mark O’Meara

1998: Ralph Cryder, Doug Ives, Len Kennett, Chris Neal

1999: Alice Bauer, John Clock, Harlan “Pinky” Stevenson

2000: Harriet Glanville, Ruth Miller, Joe Robinson

2001: Tom Frost, Dan Gooch, Bob Livingstone, Jamie Mulligan

2002: Roland Davis, B. K. Jones, Les Padfield, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods

2003: Roger Cleveland, Monty Blodgett, Shirley Johnston, Wilbur W. “Bud” Lorbeer

2004: Mike Krantz, Mike Miles, Kemp Richardson

2005: Gordon Olson, Pearl Sinn-Bonanni

2006: Lisa Georgeson, Don Knabe, John Richardson, Bob San Jose

2007: Rudy Duran, Gwenn Hibbs, John Mansell

2008: Craig Kessler, Jeff Manson, Terry Small

2009: John Mallinger, John Merrick, Peter Tomasulo

2010: Bob Chaffee, James Oh, Ted Richards

2011: Steve Cook, Kathy Eaton, John Tate

2012: Trevor Baker, Dave Stanley

2013: Robin Bellamy, John McCann, Dennis Wright

2014: Greg Hetzer, Phil Kessler

2015: Richard “Dick” Linares, Walt Willows

2015 EMERITUS CLASS: Ernest F “Ernie” Combs, Irving Cooper, Connie Freeze-Westover, Henrietta Holden, Joe Nichols, Walter “Boots” Porterfield and Anne Wallace-Hedley McAndrews.

2016: Brianna Do, Joe Grohman, Gary Wishon

2017: Larry Grant, Mike McMonegal

2018: Patrick Cantlay, Phillip Barlow

2019: Gary Albin, Jennifer Bermingham, David Solomon

Kevin Heaney

July 17, 2019

Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Southern California Golf Association, Kevin Heaney leads one of the nation’s largest and oldest Allied Golf Associations, with approximately 170,000 individual members in 1,400 member clubs.

Heaney has served as the SCGA’s Executive Director since 2006 after serving as Assistant Executive Director since 2003. In his position, he works closely with the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation and continues to actively participate in the SCGA’s advocacy involvement in green and water issues.

During the past several years, Heaney was instrumental in the consolidation among various women’s golf associations, including the July 2017 unification with the Women’s Southern California Golf Association. He has also played a crucial role in the formation and evolution of the California Alliance for Golf, an advocacy group made up of representatives from associations, golf course owners and other organizations throughout the state.

He has also worked closely with the University of California, Riverside, serving as a member of the Chancellor’s Agricultural Advisory Council as well as the UCR Turf Research Advisory Committee.

Heaney joined the SCGA in 1984 as Director of Rules and Competitions. In 1993, he was named SCGA Director of Course Rating and worked extensively with the United States Golf Association in that area. In addition, he is a member of the USGA Regional Associations Committee and serves on the USGA’s Allied Golf Association Council representing the Western Region. He previously served on the USGA’s Course Rating and Green Committees. He is a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and is a past president of the International Association of Golf Administrators. He also serves on the Advisory Committee for the Southern California Section of the PGA and was appointed an honorary life member of the PGA of America. He also serves on the advisory board of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission.

Prior to joining the SCGA, Heaney worked in marketing, sales and broadcasting. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis in Agricultural Economics and Managerial Science, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from the same university.

Kevin and his wife, Yvonne, an elementary school educator, live in San Antonio Heights.

Amateurs Take Center Stage at U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying

June 03, 2019

Full Results Photos

The Longest Day in Golf spanned from sunup to sundown, with 10 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifiers being held across the country.

At the SCGA-conducted Southern California site, 99 players competed for five coveted spots in the 119th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Playing two rounds – one at Big Canyon CC and one across the street at Newport Beach CC – hopeful qualifiers battled championship nerves and fatigue in a true test of golf.

They say there are horses for courses, and at Big Canyon CC, Stewart Hagestad is a triple crown thoroughbred. Back in 2017, the Newport Beach native qualified for his first U.S. Open at this site, the place where he learned how to play the game.

“My parents tell me that my first words were ‘rake the trap,’” chuckled Hagestad. “I grew up here and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a home course advantage over the rest of the field.”

After an up-and-down morning round at Newport Beach CC, which included a two-hole stretch of double bogey and an ace, Hagestad fired up the jets in the afternoon at Big Canyon CC. The lifelong member fired a blistering 6-under 66 to secure his third-straight U.S. Open appearance.

“Honestly, that’s one of the best rounds of golf I’ve played," reflected Hagestad.

Fresh off of finishing third at NCAA Championships last week, Arizona State’s Chun An Yu is headed to the U.S. Open yet again, as a back-to-back medalist.

“My buddy caddied for me and it was great out there,” Yu said. “I plan to take what I learned at the U.S. Open last year and make the cut at Pebble this year.”

Three-time professional tour winner Richard Lee gave it all he had and then some in SoCal today, with back-to-back eagles and nine birdies on the day to earn a ticket to Pebble.

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” Lee said. “That was a crazy way to start the day.”

Lee is no stranger to the the 119^th U.S. Open stage, as he’s played Pebble Beach many times in the past.

“But not in June,” Lee clarified. “That course is very wet this time of year and I hear it’s going to be firm so we’ll see how it goes!”

Hayden Shieh of Fremont, who describes himself as the “weekday-golfer,” had low expectations coming into Sectionals today. But with 14 birdies to round out the Longest Day in Golf, it looked to be enough to take him to the final stage.

"I'm just trying to be a weekend golfer next week,” Shieh said.

Andreas Halvorsen didn't get a full night of sleep before playing, but it didn't stop him on the course.

“I actually thought the qualifier was last Monday,” Halvorsen explained. “We play on the Latin America TOUR and when I signed up we were going to be in Tijuana, so I figured it'd be perfect, it'd be just right across the border, but I had the wrong date and we actually played in Cancun last week. So it was a hassle to get here on time. ”

Halvorsen had never seen these two courses before today, but it seemed to work out just fine as he found 15 birdies, just in time for his 9 p.m. flight back home to Florida.

These five Southern California qualifiers aced their biggest test on the Road to Pebble, but an even bigger test, still lies ahead.

SCGA and SCPGA Hold 2019 Women’s Golf Summit

May 10, 2019

Photos

By Jill Painter-Lopez

Why Not?

Donna Orender, the former WNBA president, used that theme of “Why Not?!” to kick off the second annual Southern California Women’s Golf Summit hosted by the SCGA and SCPGA on Thursday, May 9. Her keynote speech was on point to a group of women who are breaking the collective glass ceiling in a male-dominated industry.

Orender, who was a 17-year senior executive of the PGA TOUR before moving on to the WNBA, inspired the 100 women and men attendees with engaging stories of how she’s tried to help include, invite, engage, and lift women, think outside the box, promote creativity and be a leader in the non-profit sector and professional sports worlds.

Why not ask for a raise? Why not play golf with the men? Why not push for that seat at the table?

“Asking why not can be very liberating,” Orender said. “Everywhere you go, put that in your head. ‘I can’t hit the ball 200 yards.’ Really? Why not?”

U.S. Open champion Sandra Palmer and USC golfer Alyaa Abdulghany were among those who attended the event at Arroyo Trabuco GC as well as about 10 vendors on hand to offer products, advice and information including Nike, ForeFitness, Spitfire Petite, Lululemon, Liquid IV, San Soleil and more. It was a collection of heavy hitters in the golf industry.

Orender, who is the CEO of Orender Unlimited, gave all attendees copies of her book, “WOWsdom! The Girl’s Guide to the Positive and Possible.”

During her speech she showed off a ShoeTips product that read “Breathe. Focus.” Those golf tips - some of which can also be used in life - clip on to the top of the golf shoe, one on each shoe. The 18 tips are meant to help the mental game, said Santa Monica resident Ellen Rudolph, who does marketing for the company. She finds women are usually more receptive to wearing the swing tips.

Orender said the five keys to owning a why-not mindset are: Have the courage to ask, stay in it, do not quit, perfection is the enemy of go, be open to the positive and possible and connection.

Those tips, especially the notion that we don’t have to be perfected, resonated with those in attendance.

Attendee Mabel Maeda, 91, came to the event from Hawaii. The Honolulu resident was in Southern California visiting her children and grandchildren, who are golfers.

She loved the camaraderie and was thrilled her daughter, Joan Karlzen, included her in the day.

“I don’t golf, but my children and grandchildren do and my husband used to,” Maeda said. “This event, I just admire everything. I didn’t expect this. It’s been very nice.”

She won a bottle of wine from Wilson Creek Winery for being one of the attendees who lived the farthest, in addition to women from Colorado and Florida, too.

There were meaningful sessions in the afternoon from “where we play” and “who we play with” to “golf tips for the mental game,” the “#inviteher initiative drives change” and more.

Azucena Maldonado, who founded of the Latina Golfers Association in 2008, was on the #inviteher panel and has figured out how to encourage women to embrace the game. She’s still working on adding to her group that now boasts 1,700 members more than a decade later.

“I know the reason we’re successful is because I approached it from an outsiders point of view. I was on the outside trying to get in,” Maldonado said. “... My space is the Latino community. I did my homework. I was at every Latina meeting, conference, passing out cards. It started with one person. One #inviteher at a time. They tell their friends and tell their friends, and we’ve grown organically.”

The day concluded with wine (which many panelists said is never a bad thing to pair with a golf event to bring women to the game) and a putting contest presented by Blast Motion.

The laughs, meaningful anecdotes and education left attendees feeling a sense of camaraderie, empowerment and the feeling of:

Why not?!

Learn More

Changes To The Biennial Seaver Cup Competition

March 08, 2019

Beginning this year, it’ll now be the best male and female players of the NCGA and Southern California Golf Association taking each other on for bragging rights.

In a move to provide programming at the state level for both men and women, the California Golf Association in March announced some sweeping changes to the previously named biennial Seaver Cup matches.

Under the move, the name of the event will switch to the California Amateur Cup Matches. The winning team will receive the Seaver Cup, which is named in honor of SCGA Hall of Famer Charles Seaver.

Each team, meanwhile, will now be comprised of 20 players: 12 males (four Seniors and eight non-Seniors) and eight females. Participating players are to be selected by SCGA and NCGA members of the California Golf Association board with consideration to Player of the Year Standings in both Associations.

This year’s California Amateur Cup Matches will be held Dec.12-13 at La Quinta CC in La Quinta.

On the course, the Cup utilizes a format similar to the Ryder Cup – three points are available for each match, one point for the front nine, one point for the back nine and one point for the overall match (any matches that are halved earn a 1/2 point). Play consists of 36 holes, with 18 holes of Four-Ball Match Play on day one, and 18 holes of Singles Match Play on day two.

One of the legends of California amateur golf, Seaver is one of only two amateurs to hold the NCGA, SCGA and California Amateur titles at the same time, accomplishing the feat in 1933-34.

Other Seaver accomplishments include:

- Reaching the semifinals of the 1930 U.S. Amateur

- Member of the 1932 U.S. Walker Cup team

- 1933 California Amateur Champion

- 1932 & 1933 NCGA Amateur Champion

- 1934 SCGA Amateur Champion

There’s also the Seaver legacy between the SCGA and NCGA. Seaver’s father, Everett, served as SCGA President in 1928.

2019 Hugel-Air Premia L.A. Open: Back For More!

February 26, 2019

By Andy Brumer

The stars will be shining full force on Apr. 25-28 at the second present day iteration of the LPGA’s Hugel-Air Premia L.A. Open, but you won’t have to wait until dark to see them. Rather virtually all the top players on the LPGA Tour will be showcasing their skills in the bright daylight illuminating the fairways and greens of the historic Wilshire CC, as it celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

But beyond the glitz and glamour universally associated with the City of Angels (and stamped into both its psyche and landscape by the iconic Hollywood sign, visible from every spot on the course,) this tournament exudes both an almost calming sense of dignity and a level of athletic competition and excellence of the highest order. That said, by all indications this second playing of the event will prove an encore performance even more applause worthy than the first.

“Wilshire CC had just over three months to prepare for the tournament last year,” points out Ricki Lasky, the LPGA Tour’s Chief Tournament Business Officer, “yet they really hit it out of the park."

“Their staff and membership, as well as the tournament volunteers that are so important to us… everyone involved with the tournament… all did their jobs wonderfully. “What’s more,” she continues, “the players…and like last year, we’re expecting one of the strongest fields on our schedule again this year…all loved competing on such an iconic, beautiful and challenging course.”

Lasky notes that both attendance and TV ratings on Golf Channel were great last year, and she expects the same if not even better numbers for this year’s event.

“We’re looking forward to becoming a staple in the L.A. community and returning to play at Wilshire each year going forward,” she says.

All involved took notes and learned from last year’s tournament, with the goal of making this L.A. Open even better.

Eiger Marketing Group, based in Seattle and Connecticut owns and operates the tournament out of their L.A. Office, with David Tucker serving as Eiger’s Tournament Manager for the L.A. Open. Tucker points out that along with Hugel and Air Premier (a Korea-based cosmetic manufacturing company and a new Korean airlines, respectively) and the event’s other sponsors, including the Korean Bank CBB and UCLA Health “all have really stepped up their involvement and commitment to making this a great tournament.”

Tucker delineates some of the improvements and changes fans can look forward to at Wilshire CC in April, including: additional bleachers installed on the course for better viewing, more bicycle racks at the course in anticipation of “the surprising,” as Tucker says, number of people who like last year will pedal to the tournament, a ‘Game Zone,’ with golf educational and entertainment features and experiences for adults and kids alike located adjacent to the first fairway, and many more of the fan favorite, locally-based food trucks on site featuring a variety of familiar ethnic cuisines.

What’s more, both on and off the course, Tucker points out the tournament will strongly support women and girls.

“We’ll have a motivational and inspirational ‘Ladies Leadership Luncheon’ at the club during Tournament week,” he begins, “ which will be attended by prominent L.A. women, who are leaders in the entertainment industry, medicine, education, business, banking and other fields.”

Tucker also reveals a program new for this year called “Playing with the Pro.” With the assistance of the SCPGA (Southern California Professional Golfers' Association) a junior golfer will be selected for what will surely be one of the great day of her young golfing life, as she will play an 18 hole practice round on Tuesday of Tournament week with one of the LPGA participants entered in the event.

Patrick O’Grady, Wilshire CC’s President, speaks of the overwhelming enthusiasm with which the club’s membership has embraced the LPGA players and the tournament as a whole.

As for changes to the course since last year, O’Grady notes that “the main feature we’re changing in response to LPGA feedback will be our range, as we’re making it 50% wider and longer than it was before.”

That said, in 2009 the course underwent significant modifications spearheaded by golf course architect Kyle Phillips. Geared to making the property more water efficient (i.e., more drought resistant), the changes Phillips made also returned several holes closer to MacBeth’s 1919 original design.

Course Superintendent Brian Sullivan adds that “the course’s present Hybrid Bermuda grass that replaced the old Common Bermuda on the course has resulted in firmer conditions that contributes to the ball rolling out farther, especially in winter.

“The fairways are now also top-dressed with sand,” he continues, “which adds to the course’s firmness.” This, Sullivan points out, allows it to play closer to their Scottish links-style ancestor and archetype courses that influenced MacBeth’s original vision and design for Wilshire in the first place.

Speaking of the course… quite literally… Danielle Kang, who grew up in Southern California speaks for many of her LPGA Tour player counterparts when she says, “Wilshire is a real shot makers course, that tests all parts of one’s game.” Last year’s Champion, Moriya Jutanugarn describes the course as “tough,” and adds that “it has a lot of tricky holes and greens that vary a lot in size.” She notes that a key to her victory last year was her ability to keep the ball on the course’s many undulating and well-bunkered fairways.

Another local star, Altadena born and bred, Mo Martin takes pride in the fact that the “new” L.A. Open is well-situated to take place as a high-status annual event along side the PGA Tour’s Tiger Woods Foundation operated Genesis L.A. Open, played at Riviera CC each February. Chinese Star Shanshan Feng, who lives in the L.A. area when not traveling the Tour, appreciates the large Asian golf fan base in the area. Not quite as an aside, she adds that “LA has a lot of very good food…and that’s very important!” Long hitting 20 year old Angel Yin(an L.A. area native as well) speaks about how much she enjoys “sleeping in my own bed,” during the L.A. Open’s tournament week.

If all of this sounds something like an ideal blend of a very happy family and a well-oiled sports business machine, you wouldn’t be far from the truth. All that’s needed, then, to complete this star studded cast is you, the fans, to come out and watch the action at Wilshire CC. Certainly that’s done best and enjoyed most in person, but, if it’s not possible, snuggle up on your favorite chair or couch and bask in the starlight of all the drama as it unfolds on TV.

For ticket information, please click here. Save 20% when you use code 'SCGA' at checkout.

Deb Long Passes Away

January 20, 2019

It is with heavy hearts that we share news that our colleague and friend, Deb Long suddenly and unexpectedly passed away this weekend.

Deb was an integral part of the Southland golf community and a wonderful ambassador. During her 20-year career in golf administration, she touched every aspect of the game, including Handicap and Course Rating, Rules and Competitions along with Club Services. While committed to all, she felt especially passionate about women’s golf outreach and junior golf development.

She began her golf career as a P.J. Boatwright Intern with the Western American Golf Association in 1999 and was soon hired by the WSCGA. In 2014, Deb was promoted to Assistant Executive Director and Director of the WSCGA Junior Foundation before taking over as Executive Director in 2016. She played a critical management role during the 2017 unification with the SCGA and subsequent transition of the WSCGA’s 190 member clubs and its 22,000 individual members. Most recently, Deb served as Manager of Golf Services, overseeing SCGA Championships and USGA qualifiers and assisted with Course Rating. She also played a critical role seamlessly transitioning other Southland women’s groups into the SCGA.

During her time with the WSCGA, Deb served on the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Committee from 2009-14 and was a member of the U.S. Girls’ Junior Committee. Throughout her career, she was also valued for constant leadership and support of the women’s golf club at Industry Hills GC.

With an extensive golf knowledge and deep devotion for the game, Deb was an obvious choice to join the SCGA’s Hall of Fame committee. Equally, when the SCGA recently created an internal Women’s Task Force, Deb relished the opportunity to apply her passion as the organization enhanced and expanded its service to this important community.

She was also an ardent supporter of growing the game through junior golf. As head of the WSCGA Foundation, she supported junior golf and the group’s academic scholarship and grants program, oversaw the transition of the organization with the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation and remained active in numerous events and outings, impacting the lives of countless young women and their families.

Deb is survived by her spouse, Linda Garrison. More information will follow as more details are known.

If you would like to make a donation to a cause that Deb championed throughout her life, her family has asked that you consider the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, which Deb worked closely with for many years. Donate here.

California Golf Association to add two Women’s Championships

January 14, 2019

The California Golf Association (CGA), which consists of the SCGA and Northern California Golf Association, will add the California Women’s Amateur Championship and California Senior Women’s Amateur Championship under its umbrella of championship programming beginning this year.

This decision will elevate these two women’s championships, which will now be conducted alongside the other top state championships. Under the agreement, the California Women’s Amateur and California Senior Women’s Amateur will rotate between North and South championship venues on an annual basis, with the rotation beginning in 2020. In 2019, Quail Lodge R&GC in Carmel Valley will host both events, with the 41st California Senior Women’s Amateur Championship held on May 20-22, and the 53rd California Women’s Amateur Championship on July 16-20.

Like with other existing events, the SCGA and NCGA staffs will administer all CGA championships at the direction of its Board of Directors. The CWAC committee will continue to assist in prominent roles at these two championships.

Founded by California women’s golf legend and NCGA Hall of Famer Helen Lengfeld, the California Women’s Amateur was first held in 1967. The championship features an illustrious list of past winners including Shelley Hamlin, Patty Sheehan, Juli Inkster and Pat Cornett. The inaugural Senior Women’s Amateur Championship was held in 1979.

The CGA was formed in 1912 by the SCGA and NCGA to promote and organize statewide golf championships. The CGA currently operates the annual California Amateur, California Senior Amateur, CIF State Boys’ and Girls’ High School Championships as well as the Seaver Cup, which will now include women.

Register for California Senior Women's Amateur

Register for California Women's Amateur

USGA Honors Michael T. Huck as 2019 Green Section Award Recipient

January 09, 2019

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Jan. 9, 2019) – Celebrating golf’s leaders who innovate and demonstrate leadership in sustainability and water resource management, the USGA has named Michael T. Huck, a turfgrass and irrigation specialist from Orange County, Calif., as the recipient of its 2019 Green Section Award.

Huck, the SCGA's Lynn Smith Award winner in 2014, which honors outstanding contributors and service to amateur golf in Southern California, will be honored at the USGA’s Annual Meeting and Service Awards Dinner at the J.W. Marriott in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Currently a principal at Irrigation and Turfgrass Services in Southern California, Huck is widely recognized as a visionary in water conservation and water use efficiency. He has authored nearly 50 articles and continues to share news and insights on water regulations, supply issues and the future of golf course irrigation to a worldwide audience. He also regularly works with regulators, golf facilities and allied associations on developing best practices and policies that conserve water while ensuring sustainability.

“Mike’s continued dedication to elevating the topic of water conservation in golf and advocating for education and dialogue has benefited courses across North America and the world,” said Dr. Kimberly Erusha, USGA Green Section managing director. “His innovative approach, matched with his ability to communicate very complex science in a relatable way, has provided game-changing leadership that helps golf courses and communities.”

Huck has more than 40 years of experience in the golf industry, including 12 years as a golf course superintendent and six years as a regional agronomist for the USGA. His particular expertise lies in irrigation water quality assessment, saline and recycled water management, irrigation system auditing and sprinkler uniformity.

Huck has also served on several golf water task forces in Los Angeles, San Diego and the Coachella Valley in the wake of water restrictions imposed on golf courses during periods of extreme drought. He collaborated with the Southern California Golf Association to study the feasibility of creating on-site non-potable water sources that could be used on large landscape environments. He also taught an advanced water quality seminar through the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America for 12 years and coauthored a 2009 reference text on this subject.

“I have known Mike for over 30 years, during which time he has always had a genuine concern for the proper use of our precious water resources,” said Pamela Pavela, water use efficiency specialist for the Western Municipal Water District in Riverside, Calif. “However, it is Mike’s strong character and his commitment to valuing business relationships that make him a consummate professional so deserving of this award.”

The USGA Green Section Award has been presented annually since 1961. Through the work of its Green Section, which was established in 1920, the USGA is one of the world’s foremost authorities on turfgrass management, as well as research, development and promotion of environmentally friendly practices and a more sustainable game.

The Service Awards Dinner honors the people whose dedication and outstanding accomplishments have made an important contribution to the USGA and its mission to serve the game. In addition to the Green Section Award, the Joe Dey Award, the Ike Grainger Award and the Herbert Warren Wind Book Award will be presented at the evening event.

Happy New Year!

January 01, 2019

I hope you and your family enjoyed a very joyous holiday season. 2018 was a busy year here at the SCGA, but a very rewarding one.

As we reflect on the productive past year and look forward to an exciting 2019, we have a few highlights to share:

• For the past six years, the USGA and R&A have been working together on a major refurbishment of the Rules of Golf. Beginning today, those new Rules go into effect. As you may have noticed, we’ve been driving a comprehensive plan to educate our general membership, club officials and rules officials on these pivotal changes. Using all our major SCGA communication vehicles, including numerous in-person seminars, it’s been our goal to ensure you’re ready to double as a Rules official during your next skins game.
• As we expand championship and event offerings, we have fully migrated to USGA Tournament Management (TM) software. You’ll also notice a revamped championship and qualifier section of scga.org to house these events in a more user-friendly environment – a change that was necessary following the conversion to USGA TM.
• With an eye to the future, we’ll be launching a new GHIN platform as we begin to prepare for the new World Handicap System coming in 2020. This updated GHIN system will benefit all golfers as part of a larger shift in how the game approaches handicapping through a more unified lens.
• With over 40,000 female members, the SCGA will transform the FORE Her monthly newsletter into a women’s program. FORE Her will now offer a wide variety of female-centric services including both social and competitive golf outings and gatherings. Stay tuned for more information.
• To meet the growing demand, we've bolstered our popular travel program that brings Member Outings participants to golf destinations such as Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach, and new this year, a trip across the pond to Ireland. To get involved in a 2019 experience, click here.
• As a reminder, we have digitized your 2019 member benefits and thus we will send your membership card and partner offerings only via email. Watch your inbox later this month for an SCGA email which will include your SCGA membership card along with $150 in partner benefits, including a $20 Roger Dunn/The Golf Mart gift card.
• As always, the work of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation continues to impact under-served youth throughout Southern California. Next year, we’ll provide programming to over 5,000 youth who will hit over 45,000 buckets of balls and play more than 35,000 rounds of golf for just $1-$5. I hope you’ll consider supporting this important initiative by donating.

Below are some quick links to 2019 playing opportunities for all abilities.

Tournaments

Member Outings

Travel Program

Your commitment to golf and our Association is one we take seriously, and we look forward to continuing to serve your passion as we advocate on your behalf on keys issues like water, the environment and public policy.

As always, if you need any assistance, we’re just a mouse click, chat window or phone call away.

Have a safe and healthy new year,

Kevin Heaney

SCGA Twilight Leagues Continue To Benefit Golfers and Facilities Alike

November 21, 2018

It's Tuesday, 5 p.m at your course... are you winding down for the night OR bringing in 72 golfers for weekly league play and food & beverage?

Hosting an SCGA Twilight League puts you in the latter category and will move your once-a-month golfers into weekly attendees at your course. Too good to be true? Watch this video:

After a successful third season hosting Twilight Leagues throughout SoCal, the SCGA is excited for the future of this budding program. In 2018 alone, SCGA Twilight Leagues brought in an average of $5K per facility in green fees alone over the course of the 8-week season. Hosted during non-peak hours during the week, Twilight Leagues offer facilities an opportunity to capitalize on otherwise underused tee times.

Players are given an opportunity to play casual, yet competitive golf on a routine basis throughout the summer. Facilities are able to capitalize on food & beverage sales and other revenue streams due to the influx of players during a normally slow time of day.

"The goal is to get more people involved in organized play," said Wil Mayo, Assistant Director of Rules and Competitions at the SCGA. "Members (golfers that belong to a club and/or keep a handicap) play three times as many annual rounds as the average golfer. The data shows that when we move golfers into a group that plays consistently in a league or with a club, they will play more rounds and spend more money on F&B. We believe SCGA Twilight Leagues are a perfect way to introduce players to this organized environment because they can form their own team, invite their friends and play as competitive or casual as they like."

The SCGA aids league facilities by organizing weekly signups and pairings, administering score keeping and helps each team craft their own look with a custom logo and maintaining standings & stats on the SCGA Twilight League site.

SCGA Twilight Leagues are at the forefront of innovative ways to get golfers on the course in new and exciting ways. The SCGA is able to tap into it’s large database of players and help facilities draw and attract new players to their course.

If you are interested in hosting a league at your course, contact the SCGA!

​What Is Your GHIN Number?

November 05, 2018

If you call the SCGA Member Services office, you will probably be asked, ‘what is your GHIN number?’ Whether it's looking up your membership status, your Handicap Index, scoring record or posting a score, it is your GHIN number that is key.

Your GHIN number, like your Social Security number, is unique to you and is yours for as long as you play golf. Whether you belong to one club or five clubs, in California or in another state, you use the same GHIN number for your respective club memberships. Joining a new club? Always provide the new club with your existing GHIN number along with your email address.

You should NOT have different GHIN numbers at different clubs. Apart from the difficulty of remembering different numbers, you should have one GHIN number and one scoring record. If you find that you have been issued a new GHIN number when you already have an existing number, please contact the SCGA as soon as practical so we can merge your scores under one GHIN number and eliminate duplicate emails from the SCGA!

Tips for SCGA Online Join/Renewal

The first question asks whether you have ever had a GHIN number:

If you cannot remember or are unsure, click on “I don’t know”. Use the search feature to see if your record exists. Pay attention to the records that appear because of your search, particularly if you have a common name (ex. John Smith, Jane Adams). If you select a record that is not your profile, then do not continue as the wrong person ‘s information would relate to you. This also applies if you inadvertently select ‘Yes’ and enter a wrong GHIN number. Start over if the search produces a record that is not your profile. (wrong name, wrong address, wrong state, etc.)

If you cannot remember your GHIN number, call the SCGA Member Services office and we can search the GHIN database to determine if a number has been issued to you. If we find that a GHIN number and record does not exist in the GHIN database, you can safely join a club as a new number, either in person or online and receive a GHIN number to establish a score record.

SCGA Hall of Fame Welcomes 12th Class of Prestigious Inductees

October 30, 2018

Photos

The SCGA Hall of Fame inducted its 12th class Tuesday at Brookside GC in Pasadena in front of more than 200 guests. Charles Seaver, a legendary Southern California amateur who once held all three major California amateur titles at once, and Mark Johnson, a blue-collar workhorse who parlayed his day job of driving a Anheuser-Busch truck into an extensive Champions Tour career, were honored and inducted into the prestigious hall of fame.

Charles Seaver took his first golf lesson at age nine from his father and 1920 SCGA Amateur Champion, E.H. Seaver. With the game in his DNA and an elite golfer as a role model, young Charles grew up rubbing shoulders with the greats, such as Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones.

Only six years after learning the game, he captured the 1926 Southern California Junior Amateur Championship and The Los Angeles Country Club Invitational. Charles later reached the semifinals of the 1930 U.S. Amateur, all before the start of his college career.

It was not until 1932 when Charles truly became a household name. While a member of the Stanford University golf team, Seaver earned a spot on the U.S. Walker Cup team, winning the biennial competition, 8 to 1. Charles went undefeated in both his singles and foursomes matches.

His run from 1933-34 cemented him as one of the greatest amateur golfers to ever grace California’s fairways. In 1933, Charles picked up victories at the California Amateur as well as the Northern California Golf Association Amateur Championship. In 1934, he won the SCGA Amateur, joining George Von Elm as one of only two players to hold all three major California amateur titles.

"It's a shame he couldn't earn a living playing golf," said Stephen Griffith, nephew to Charles. "He would have made a wonderful professional."

Father to Baseball Hall-of-Famer Tom Seaver, Charles had success off the golf course as well. He worked in the food industry after moving to Fresno, where he introduced raisins into breakfast cereal. His lucrative career allowed him to play in what is now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 39 times, winning in 1964 with Mike Fetchick.

The Seaver Cup, named after Charles, was created in 1998 by the NCGA and SCGA to bring together the best players in the Golden State to compete against each other. This biennial competition continues to honor Charles’ accomplishments and passion for the game.

"He was a great believer in family and a wonderful uncle," said Griffith. "He was a very special part of my life. This is a wonderful celebration of him."

The architect of an unusual but remarkable resume, Mark Johnson enjoyed a unique career in amateur and professional golf, along with a casual 18 years of driving a beer truck.

In high school, Johnson won the CIF-SCGA Championship as an individual and immediately decided to turn professional in 1972. After two years of struggling on mini tours, he regained his amateur status while working as a delivery truck driver for Anheuser-Busch in the Mojave Desert – a job he would hold for nearly two decades.

Johnson’s early morning travels on the open road, combined with his newfound amateur status paved the way to great success throughout the 1990s. He would win three SCGA Mid-Amateur Championships, four SCGA Tournament of Club Champions titles and the 1996 California Amateur – all after the age of 35.

In 1994, he battled with a young and emerging Tiger Woods, going head-to-head in the SCGA Amateur Championship, where Johnson finished runner-up. However, he would not let Tiger steal the entire spotlight, going on to win the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship just two weeks after his run-in with Woods. Johnson continued his torrid run later in the year as he was crowned the SCGA Mid-Amateur Champion.

At 45-years-old, he tested his professional skills once again. He earned his PGA TOUR Champions card in 2004, won Q-school and proceeded to spend the next five years on tour sponsored by his old employer, Anheuser-Busch. Mark Johnson would become a fan favorite, known as the “Beer Man.”

"My first thought coming here today was 'how are we going to get an ambulance in here after everyone sees Mark in a suit?'" joked Jeff Christensen, a long-time friend. "He got married in shorts and sandals!"

After 14 professional starts, Johnson earned his first professional victory in 2005 – dramatically holing out for eagle on the par-5 18th to win the Toshiba Senior Classic in front of a home crowd at Newport Beach CC. Johnson’s only official victory earned him nearly a quarter million dollars – becoming an instant hero for the working class.

"My support system is enormous and I was so glad to win the Toshiba to finally give back," said an emotional Johnson. "I never could have done it on my own. Thanks to everyone for all the love and support."

Chris Wilson elected president of the SCGA

October 30, 2018

Photos

Chris Wilson, a member of Lakeside GC, was elected president of the Southern California Golf Association at its Annual Meeting, held Tuesday morning at Brookside GC in Pasadena. He succeeds La Jolla CC member Jon Bilger.

“I can't tell you enough how much I'm looking forward to serving as the next SCGA president,” said a humble Wilson. “I'm excited to expand our women's programming and lead the SCGA's support of junior golf through our foundation. It's going to be a great year."

Joining the SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Fred MacFarlane of Industry Hills GC, Secretary Bob Livingstone of El Dorado Park GC and Treasurer Nikki Gatch of Emerald Isle GC.

Honored at the Annual Meeting were:

- Gary Wilson, who received the Jim House Award, which recognizes the work of an exceptional SCGA volunteer. Wilson’s support of SCGA Championships has been above and beyond for 30 years.

- Brad Zlomke of Olivas Links GC, who was named the winner of the Newell Pinch Delegate of the Year Award for his service working as an SCGA ambassador.

- Rae Merhar of La Jolla CC, who was awarded the Don Carlson Handicap Chair of the Year Award for her accomplishments as the Handicap Chair of La Jolla CC.

- The Capital Group received the John Argue Founder’s Award, established to honor SCGA Junior Founder and former SCGA President John C. Argue. Newly-minted SCGA board member Matt Lyons accepted the award on behalf of the Los Angeles-based financial firm.

- Ted Gleason was honored with the President’s Award, annually given to an SCGA member or member club who’s dedicated to furthering the mission of SCGA Junior.

Corby Segal earned his first SCGA Player of the Year Award after a stellar 2018 season. His campaign included a runner-up at the SCGA Mid-Amateur, third place at the SCGA Amateur and he qualified for both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships.

Elizabeth Wang was recognized as the first-ever SCGA Women’s Player of the Year. The SCGA Junior Scholar Award winner is currently attending Harvard and made the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship this summer. She also made the Round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

Craig Davis earned the SCGA Senior Player of the Year honors after winning the SCGA Senior Amateur, advancing to the semifinals of the SCGA Senior Match Play and making it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur. He also finished third in the California Senior Amateur Championship.

Kathy Kurata was honored as the Senior Women’s Player of the Year after winning the Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, Women’s Tournament of Club Champions and finishing in second place at the SCGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship. She also qualified and made the cut for the inaugural U.S. Senior Women's Open Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Senior Women's Amateur Championship.

It’s Time To Renew!

October 04, 2018

Most SCGA Members will need to renew membership in their clubs starting Nov. 1.

Are YOU due for renewal? Don't risk a lapse in your membership. Here's how to stay active:

Keep an Eye on your Inbox

If we have your email on file, we'll contact you 60 days before your membership is scheduled to expire. This email will contain a direct, customized link for you to renew online or, if your club does not have online signup, the contact information for your membership chair. If you don’t take action, we will send additional email reminders. If you do not have an email address on record with the SCGA, you will receive something in the mail. NOTE: Most private clubs automatically continue SCGA membership for their members and the references to messaging from the SCGA does not apply.

Email renewal notices will look similar to this and will come from the following email address: SCGA Member Services [email protected]

Online Renewal via SCGA Portal

Can’t find the email from the SCGA for online renewal? Save time and renew with a few mouse clicks! Renew at scga.org/renew and search for your club. Avoid making your search too detailed by trying to match the entire club name exactly. If looking for a club that starts with the word Monarch, just searching on the word Monarch and then pick the correct one if more than one appears. NOTE: for members of clubs that are not on the SCGA online portal, you'll need to reach out directly to your club official for renewal instructions.

Check Membership Status

Not sure if you are due for renewal? Check on your membership status at scga.org/account. If you haven’t already created an online scga.org account/profile, you’ll need to do so by clicking the option to ‘Create Online Profile’ in the top right corner of the screen. Once logged in, you'll see your membership(s) status and when they are up for renewal.

Still have questions? Please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll be happy to assist.

Bob Thomas Memorial Scholarship

July 27, 2018

The SCGA will create a scholarship on behalf of Bob Thomas, the 25-year SCGA Communications leader and long-time FORE magazine editor. The scholarship will promote excellence in news writing, sports writing, feature writing, story editing, creative writing, photography and videography.

Criteria and guidelines for nominations:

-- One-year scholarship for graduating high school seniors and actively enrolled college students
-- Awarded to Southern California resident, attending school in the Southland
-- In addition to submitting a scholarship application, nominees will provide work samples and/or personal statement
-- SCGA will promote on scholarship boards and internal SCGA communications vehicles
-- SCGA staff will compile list of public responses, assess applications and present finalists to a committee who will make final decision after in-person interviews

Please check back here for further information in the coming weeks. If you have any questions please email [email protected].

Remembering SCGA Hall of Famer Jane Bastanchury Booth

June 25, 2018

Jane Bastanchury Booth, one of the most prolific golfers of her era, died on Saturday at the age of 70.

After playing on three World Cup teams from 1968-1972 and three consecutive winning Curtis Cup teams in the early 1970s, Booth was inducted into the SCGA Hall of Fame in 2015.

Her commitment to the sport of golf proved to be one of passion and appreciation for the game. Booth attended Arizona State University, where she earned All-American honors and won several college tournaments between 1969-71, none more special to her than the 1969 AIAW/Match Play NCAA Championship.

As an individual, Booth reached the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur twice and placed in the Top 10 in three U.S. Women’s Opens, all as an amateur. Other notable victories came twice in the Women’s Western Amateur, three times in the Trans National and on four separate occasions in the International Four-Ball Championship.

The 1965 California State Junior Girls Champion, Booth’s outstanding playing career was matched by her significant contributions to the game. She dedicated a large portion of her life to the Junior Tour in Southern California, giving back to a program she was heavily involved with as a kid, as well as spending 26 years as a member of the USGA Girls’ Junior Amateur Committee.

She also volunteered with the rules department of the Florida Golf Association, was inducted into the SCPGA Junior Hall of Fame in 1992 and captained the 2000 Curtis Cup team to a win in England.

Booth became an SCGA Hall of Famer alongside fellow inductee Mary Bea Porter in 2015, giving the Association its fifth and sixth female members, joining Dinah Shore, Mickey Wright, Babe Zaharias and Amy Alcott.

Booth, of Whittier, Calif., is survived by husband Michael and daughter Kellee, who was also an All-American at Arizona State and later named the LPGA Rookie of the Year in 2000. Jane and Kellee are the only mother-daughter duo in the ASU Hall of Fame.

SoCal Holds Inaugural Women’s Golf Summit

May 18, 2018

Photos

In the middle of her keynote address Thursday afternoon, PGA of America Vice President Suzy Whaley did not hesitate while referring to Southern California as the country’s most progressive region for fostering growth and driving change in the game of golf.

Touting the most golf professionals, one of the largest female amateur contingencies and the most influential leaders in the industry, SoCal golf’s forefront organizations pooled their collective resources during Whaley’s visit, creating an event that organizers hope will be duplicated on a national scale.

An unprecedented joint effort between the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), the Southern California PGA (SCPGA) and PGA Magazine, the Women’s Golf Summit at Pacific Palms Resort created the ultimate networking opportunity and shaped a slew of conversations during panel discussions.

“Welcome to the first-ever Southern California Women’s Golf Summit…how cool is this?” exclaimed SCGA Board Member Nikki Gatch, PGA, who drew a loud ovation from the crowd Thursday morning. “I want to thank you for being here because this is a monumental event – it’s a first of its kind.”

With over 100 in attendance, a diverse blend of the region’s most prolific golf professionals, local club board members, merchandisers, instructors and trailblazers joined LPGA Tour winners, college coaches, business leaders and even a self-diagnosed golf addict for the inaugural gathering aimed at improving women’s golf at the local level.

Moderators (including Gatch, PGA/LPGA Director of Instruction Sandy Lemon, PGA Relationship Consultant Susan Bond and SCGA Junior Program Director Jennifer Seislove) and panelists led the dialogue by broaching topics such as “breaking the grass ceiling” and “making golf more welcoming for women.”

The unfiltered, honest dissemination of facts, stories and advice set the passionate tone for a day full of efforts to advocate and advance women’s golf. Panelists emphasized the power of an invitation, stressing women want to learn golf, they just need to be invited.

Whaley, revered as one of the most prominent instructors of women’s golf in the country, brought the Summit to a fever pitch during her remarks. Inclement weather kept her from arriving to Industry until shortly before her speech, but nothing was going to keep Whaley from the stage.

“My favorite thing to do is talk to women about the game of golf,” she said emphatically. “I wouldn’t have missed this and I’m thrilled to be a part of this.”

During her 35-minute address, Whaley – who is soon slated to become the first female president in the history of the PGA of America – shared her struggles in advancing within a predominantly male-influenced arena.

Her primary message to the audience, though, centered around the importance of inviting other women into golf circles through persistence, sincerity and most importantly, positivity. The power is in the invitation.

“I beg of you to leave today, talking about golf positively when you’re in public,” Whaley said. “Amateur golfers want to learn, they just need a door to be opened. Peer recruitment will drive our game’s growth. Build those friendships that will forever foster this game.”

Whaley also assisted the SCPGA in awarding sets of new golf clubs to eight players on the Rowland High School girls’ golf team as part of the Association’s Club Fore Youth program. Since the start of fundraising in April 2017, the SCPGA has awarded 317 sets of clubs to junior players, nearly 250 of which have gone to girls.

Two of the best and brightest from the region’s stout junior golf programs, Samantha Rocha (SCGA Junior Scholar) and Angella Then (alumni of SCPGA Junior Tour), also took the stage to speak upon the opportunities afforded to develop not only their golf games, but off-the-course life and career skills as well.

Lastly, the Summit audience heard from Alex Smith – a two-time recipient of a Folds of Honor scholastic scholarship – who shared her story of perseverance after her parents were significantly affected, both physically and mentally, during and after military service.

Folds of Honor, which raises the large percentage of its foundation’s funds through Patriot Golf Days and similar national tournaments, has awarded 16,000 scholarships during its existence.

California Trio Shares Medalist Honors in U.S. Open Qualifier at Andalusia CC

May 09, 2018

Five more golfers advanced on the Road to Shinnecock on Tuesday, including a trio of California players who shared medalist honors during a U.S. Open Championship qualifier in SoCal.

Spencer Fletcher (Los Altos), Raymond Navis (Palm Desert) and Scott Heyn (Stevenson Ranch) all shot 4-under at Andalusia CC and advanced to the sectional-qualifying round, set to begin in a couple weeks. The others to earn a spot, by finishing in the top five, are Devon Bling and Michael Choe, who each shot 2-under.

The 118th U.S. Open Championship is scheduled for June 14-17 at Shinnecock Hills CC in Southampton, New York. There are seven more qualifiers set in Southern California, continuing Wednesday at Oak Creek GC in Irvine.

Five Golfers Advance To U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying

May 08, 2018

Local qualifying tournaments for the 118th U.S. Open Championship got underway in Southern California on Tuesday, as five golfers emerged from a field of nearly 80 to advance to the sectional-qualifying round between May 21 and June 4.

David Rose (Scottsdale, Ariz.) earned medalist honors during the qualifier at Indian Ridge CC, shooting 5-under 66 to edge Max Homa (North Palm Beach, Fla.) by one shot. Rose played a bogey-free round and made five birdies to lead the way.

Homa, who was born in Burbank and attended the University of California, Berkeley, is currently playing on the Web.com Tour while residing in the south.

The final three spots Tuesday were awarded to Californians. Michael McCabe (Moorpark) and Jerry Chen (Rancho Cucamonga) tied for third with a round of 3-under 68, while Case Komline (Seal Beach) earned the final spot by one shot, firing a 2-under 69.

All five qualifiers will be able to choose their respective sectional site. There are 8,357 golfers vying for 500 sectional spots. Southern California will be hosting eight more qualifying tournaments, continuing today at Andalusia CC in La Quinta.

This year’s U.S. Open is scheduled to begin June 14 at Shinnecock Hills GC in Southhampton, New York.

Bob Thomas remembered for bringing SCGA to the forefront

May 07, 2018

It is with great sadness that the SCGA family mourns the loss of one of its dynamic personalities, Bob Thomas, who died Thursday after being diagnosed with cancer last summer.

Thomas, 72, served as the Association’s director of communications and publisher/editor of FORE Magazine for over 25 years before retiring in February 2009. His extensive contributions were vital to growing the SCGA’s footprint within Southern California and establishing it on a national scale.

Additionally, Thomas grew FORE Magazine — the vehicle he helped build as the “information conduit” of the Association, and inaugurated the SCGA Directory in 1992. He edited over 150 issues of FORE, penned hundreds of articles and snapped thousands of photos, covering a slew of SCGA and amateur tournaments around the state.

While overseeing the SCGA’s Centennial and launch of SCGA.org, the ever-passionate Thomas also ushered the Association into the digital era, helping the SCGA become the first golf association in the country to offer live scoring during amateur golf tournaments.

“In a sport that features a wealth of interesting personalities, Bob stands out as one of the great characters,” said SCGA Executive Director Kevin Heaney. “Everybody who knew Bob has a wonderful story about him although the best anecdotes came from Bob telling stories on himself.”

Thomas was a long-time member of the United States Golf Association’s Communications Committee and received the “Media Service Award” from the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association in 2011.

Even after his retirement, Thomas’ zeal for the Association never wavered. He remained engaged on the SCGA Hall of Fame Committee and made contributions as a dedicated historian.

“As was the case with everything in Bob’s life, he brought a tremendous passion to his role in communications for the SCGA,” Heaney said. “While FORE Magazine was his pride and joy, Bob was involved in all aspects of Association activities. I am not sure I ever saw Bob happier on the job as when he was covering the State Amateur at Pebble Beach.”

Thomas studied journalism at the University of Southern California and music at California State University, Los Angeles. A classical music critic and columnist for the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Southern California News Group, Thomas continued writing about music until his passing.

Outside of classical music, he was very active with the Pasadena Presbyterian Church, serving in various capacities including Elder, Director of Administration and a member of the music ministry. He sang as a soloist or in choirs for over 50 years.

Thomas is survived by his wife of 42 years Nikki, daughter Kimberly Boneham, son William Stark, sister Rebecca Thomas, brothers Ken Thomas and Dan Thomas and mother Evelyn Heyne.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Curtis Cup taps former SCGA Women’s Amateur champions

April 17, 2018

Lilia Vu and Andrea Lee – the only two SCGA Women’s Amateur Tournament champions in history – have been named to the USA Team for the 2018 Curtis Cup Match, announced today by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in a release.

Vu, of Fountain Valley, is currently the No. 1-ranked female amateur golfer in the world, and highlights an eight-person team that will compete June 8-10 at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.

The players are:

Andrea Lee, 19, of Hermosa Beach, Calif.

Lilia Vu, 20, of Fountain Valley, Calif.

Mariel Galdiano, 19, of Pearl City, Hawaii

Kristen Gillman, 20, of Austin, Texas

Jennifer Kupcho, 20, of Westminster, Colo.

Lucy Li, 15, of Redwood Shores, Calif.

Sophia Schubert, 22, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Lauren Stephenson, 20, of Lexington, S.C

"We couldn’t be prouder to announce that these eight terrific young women will represent the United States in the 40th Curtis Cup Match,” said Mark Newell, USGA president. “They are among the most talented players in the world, and not only that, they are true ambassadors for the game and for the USGA. We all wish them the best as they prepare to compete this June at Quaker Ridge.”

The Curtis Cup Match is a biennial international women’s amateur golf competition between eight-player teams from the United States of America and Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I). It consists of six foursomes (alternate-shot) matches, six four-ball matches and eight singles matches over three days of competition. The USGA’s International Team Selection (ITS) Committee selects the USA Team, while the Ladies’ Golf Union selects the GB&I Team.

“Our committee is extremely thoughtful during the selection process and takes very seriously the opportunity to select the members of this team,” said Martha Lang, of Birmingham, Ala., who is in her first year as chair of the ITS Committee and fourth year as a member of the USGA Executive Committee. “We know the players we selected are extraordinarily talented competitors who will embody the tradition of camaraderie set forth by Margaret and Harriot Curtis in 1932.”

All eight players on the USA Team are among the top 25 in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking™, with Vu (No. 1), Kupcho (No. 3), Lee (No. 5), Stephenson (No. 7) and Li (No. 10) in the top 10. Two members of the team, Galdiano and Lee, competed in the 2016 Match.

Vu captured the SCGA Women’s Amateur Championship in 2016 after firing a second-round 68. Last month, Vu set a UCLA school record at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational, winning her fourth straight individual title dating back to last fall. She is a two-time first-team All-American who last year advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Hermosa Beach’s Lee, who won the inaugural SCGA Women’s Amateur Championship in 2015, and is the reigning tournament champion after raising the title plate again in 2017, was a member of the 2016 Curtis Cup Team that lost to GB&I, 11.5-8.5.

A sophomore at Stanford University, Lee garnered several honors following her freshman year, including Pac-12 freshman of the year, Pac-12 first team and Ping/Women’s Golf Coaches Association freshman of the year. Picking up where she left off, Lee’s sophomore season began with three individual victories in her first five starts. She was the runner-up in the 2016 U.S. Girls’ Junior, and a semifinalist in the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Virginia Derby Grimes, the 1998 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion and a member of the victorious 1998, 2000 and 2006 Curtis Cup Teams, will serve as USA captain.

“It’s exciting to have the team announced and to start preparing for June,” said Derby Grimes. “I’ve had the opportunity to get to know many of these young women over the past few months, and I can tell you firsthand that they are not only remarkable players, but remarkable people who take representing the United States extremely seriously. We’re going to work hard over the next few weeks and give the GB&I Team all we’ve got!”

Notable past USA Curtis Cup Team members include U.S. Women’s Open champions JoAnne Gunderson Carner, Paula Creamer, Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr, Patty Sheehan,Hollis Stacy and Michelle Wie, as well as past and present LPGA stars such as Lewis, Thompson, Beth Daniel, Jessica Korda, Nancy Lopez and Dottie Pepper.

Dan Sullivan looks to defend Mid-Am title

April 12, 2018

Reigning title holder Dan Sullivan will try to become the first back-to-back SCGA Mid-Amateur champion since Tim Hogarth (2009-10) when play begins at 7:15 a.m. Monday at The Saticoy Club in the 2018 Mid-Am Championship.

Sullivan, who captured last year’s tournament by six strokes with a staggering score of 11-under par, is part of a formidable 84-person field.

Other former Mid-Amateur champions among the entrants include Corby Segal (2016), Jeff Wilson (2015, 2008), Ramie Sprinkling (2014), Robert Funk (2013, 2006) and John Pate (2000).

Hogarth, who is the only golfer to ever win the SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship four times (1999, 2007, 2009, 2010), is also in the field.

The SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship is open to members ages 25 and older with a Handicap Index of 5.4 and below. In the Championship, players compete over 54 holes of stroke play with the top 42 players and ties advancing after 36 holes to the final round.

Whomever wins the 2018 Mid-Am will earn a berth into the California Amateur Championship at La Costa Resort.

In addition, the top five finishers all earn spots in this year's SCGA Amateur Championship, while the top 10 earn exemptions into next year's SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship.

USGA and R&A Unveil New World Handicap System (WHS)

February 20, 2018

The way golfers around the world will calculate their handicaps is set to be transformed by a new system developed by the USGA and The R&A, with key features designed to provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability.

The new World Handicap System, to be implemented in 2020, follows an extensive review of systems administered by six existing handicapping authorities: Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA.

The new system will feature the following:

Flexibility in formats of play, allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes and ensuring that a golfer’s handicap is more reflective of potential ability

A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; a recommendation that the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap be 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds, but with some discretion available for national or regional associations to set a different minimum within their own jurisdiction

A consistent handicap that is portable from course to course and country to country through worldwide use of the USGA Course and Slope Rating System, already successfully used in more than 80 countries

An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness and control

A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player’s performance each day

Daily handicap revisions, taking account of the course and weather conditions calculation

A limit of Net Double Bogey on the maximum hole score (for handicapping purposes only)

A maximum handicap limit of 54.0, regardless of gender, to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game

Quantitative research was conducted in 15 countries around the world, through which 76 percent of the 52,000 respondents voiced their support for a World Handicap System, 22 percent were willing to consider its benefits, and only 2 percent were opposed. This was followed by a series of focus groups, in which more than 300 golf administrators and golfers from regions around the world offered extensive feedback on the features of the proposed new system. This feedback has helped shape the WHS, which has been developed by the USGA and The R&A with support from each existing handicapping authority as well as the Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada.

Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, commented, “For some time, we’ve heard golfers say, ‘I’m not good enough to have a handicap,’ or ‘I don’t play enough to have a handicap.’ We want to make the right decisions now to encourage a more welcoming and social game. We’re excited to be taking another important step – along with modernizing golf’s Rules – to provide a pathway into the sport, making golf easier to understand and more approachable and enjoyable for everyone to play.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are working with our partners and national associations to make golf more modern, more accessible and more enjoyable as a sport and the new World Handicap System represents a huge opportunity in this regard.

“We want to make it more attractive to golfers to obtain a handicap and strip away some of the complexity and variation which can be off-putting for newcomers. Having a handicap, which is easier to understand and is truly portable around the world, can make golf much more enjoyable and is one of the unique selling points of our sport.”

The tenets of the new system focus on three main objectives: to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap; to enable golfers of differing abilities, genders and nationalities to transport their handicap to any course globally and compete on a fair basis; and to indicate with sufficient accuracy the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.

Given worldwide alignment towards a single system, all parties will now embark on a two-year transition period targeting implementation in 2020. When adopted, the World Handicap System will be governed by the USGA and The R&A and administered by national and regional associations around the world, with safeguards included to ensure consistency as well as adaptability to differing golf cultures.

The existing six handicapping authorities represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

The announcement is the latest step in a multi-year collaboration between The USGA and The R&A, as well as national and regional golf associations around the world to introduce one set of Rules of Handicapping, aimed to support modernizing, growing and improving accessibility of the sport.

As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support the USGA’s and The R&A’s efforts to implement a World Handicap System.

Golfers are encouraged to follow and join in the conversation on social media by using #golfwhs2020.

For further information including FAQs, infographics and more, please visit usga.org.

World Handicap System (WHS)

February 20, 2018

Dustin Johnson Returns To His Favorite Place In Golf

February 12, 2018

A year ago, at the 2017 Genesis Open, Dustin Johnson went to No. 1 in the world with a world-class performance at Riviera.

Johnson turned a marathon finish into a Sunday stroll in the Genesis Open. He finished the third round in the morning with a 7-under 64 to build a five-shot lead, stretched it to nine shots at one point in the final round and coasted home to a 71 and a five-shot victory.

In 2018, DJ is running on all cylinders with a win at Kapalua in the Sentry Tournament of Champions and a T-2 in last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The world’s No. 1 recently took some time to talk about his love for Riviera, Los Angeles and being atop the world rankings.

What is it about Riviera CC that makes you so comfortable?

“It’s the course. Such a good golf course. There’s really not much trouble, so you simply have to hit good golf shots. You have to work the ball and miss in the right spots. Ever since I came here as a rookie I’ve loved the course. It’s a place that really suits my eye.”

Los Angeles is your adopted second home. Is there a “home-field advantage” feel here?

“Yeah, for sure. I have a lot of friends and family that are going to come out and support every time I’m here. It’s always a great week with everyone out there following me and it’ll definitely be an extra boost come tournament week.”

The three wins in a row following last year’s Genesis Open – have you played a better stretch of golf in your career?

“No, I really haven’t played a better stretch of golf. I felt like my game was where it needed to be. Leading into the Masters I was in complete control of the game and had everything working well. I was obviously looking forward to giving the green jacket a run but unfortunately I injured myself in a freak accident. It took me a long time to get my game back to being even close to where it was before the start of this tournament last year.”

You became No. 1 in the world after last year’s victory. How important is maintaining that ranking?

“I mean, I really like being No. 1 in the world. For me, it’s really a huge motivator to continue to practice hard, work hard in the gym and it’s a bonus to prove that what I’m doing is working. It keeps motivating me to get better and continue to work on my skill.”

How critical has it been to your game changing from a draw to a cut off the tee?

“It’s definitely changed my driving a lot as far as my misses being tighter, I hit more fairways and I haven’t really lost any distance. I was struggling to drive the ball of a sudden and my misses became way too penal. So one day I was over at Sherwood CC getting ready for the season and just went out and decided to try hitting only cut shots. I played really well and felt fairly comfortable. From then on, I’ve played the cut.”

First round play of the 2018 Genesis Open begins on Thursday. Tickets start at just $25 and can be purchased here. Use promo code SCGA at checkout and $15 will be donated to the SCGA Junior Foundation.

Jon Rahm Looks to Defend Farmers Insurance Open Title

January 21, 2018

A year ago, in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Rahm made two memorable eagles on Sunday in route to shooting 7-under-par 65 on the Torrey Pines South Course to capture his first PGA Tour title.

The victory catapulted Rahm into a spectacular season. On the PGA Tour, he recorded 11 top-10 finishes in 23 starts, with five top-3 showings.

In 2018, Rahm has picked up where he left off, jumping out to a torrid start after winning last week’s CareerBuilder Challenge at PGA WEST in La Quinta.

The defending Farmers Insurance Open champion and world No. 3 ranked player recently took some time to field a few questions from the SCGA.

How excited are you to be back at the site of your first PGA TOUR victory?

I’m extremely excited. It’s felt like a long year. A lot of things have happened since then but I’m looking forward to getting back out there and teeing it up again. Plus, having Tiger back this week will be great and I keep saying it; I hope I get paired with him. He can share a lot of things about this place [Torrey Pines].

Outside of the nostalgia, what’s so special about this course and setting?

It’s a great design. The view you get right to the ocean, it’s truly beautiful. Also, the course just fits my game really, really, really well. It helps to be able to hit it high, straight and long. I also grew up on poa annua greens so what most people don’t like about the greens I love.

What about the course design specifically fits your eye?

It’s a good course for faders, at least up until the 15th hole where they start going left. Those par 5s aren’t easy to get to in two so when you have the length and ball flight to land it close, it’s an advantage. But what I like most is the green complexions. They remind me a lot of the greens that I grew up around. You have to hit a lot of high chips – barely any bump and runs around the greens here. That’s something that I’m really comfortable with.

What’re some of your favorite San Diego hot spots?

Well, when I’m here I usually stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. I’m good friends with the general manager and he allows me to practice there. I also have a lot of friends who play there so when I’m able to come here and spend time with them it’s a plus. With TaylorMade being so close, there are a lot of places that I’ve become a regular at. Whether it’s Duke’s La Jolla, George’s at the Cove or anywhere else, we just try to hit all the spots that make San Diego famous.

What’s been the key to your meteoric rise up the world rankings this past year?

I could point to a lot. But it’s probably been my driving. I’ve been hitting my driver consistently straight, long and in the fairway this past year or so and obviously that makes everything easier. Usually when I set my mind to accomplish something, I either do it or get really close. So when I got my first win that early in the season, it really jumpstarted me.

How often do you think about that winning eagle putt on No. 18?

Not going to lie, that night I won the tournament, I came home and probably watched that putt 150 times because I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t sleep that night because of the major adrenaline rush so I stayed up and continued to watch it. So yeah, I’ve thought about that putt plenty since it happened. It was hard to believe.

First round play gets underway on Thursday. Purchase tickets here.

LPGA Returns to L.A. for first time in over a decade

January 17, 2018

The LPGA is returning to Los Angeles with a new tournament at Wilshire Country Club, tournament organizers announced today. The HUGEL-JTBC Open will debut the week of Apr. 16-22, 2018, at Wilshire CC, which is located in downtown Los Angeles in the heart of Hollywood. The tournament will feature 144 of the world’s best female professionals competing over four rounds for a share of the $1.5 million purse.

Founded in 1919 and set in the historic Hancock Park area of Los Angeles, Wilshire is a links course designed by Norman Macbeth. The course has hosted tournaments on the LPGA, PGA Tour and Champions Tour.

“Wilshire CC is a strong proponent of women’s golf and our members are honored and excited about today’s announcement,” said David Damus, President of Wilshire CC. “Hosting the LPGA at Wilshire is a great opportunity for golf enthusiasts throughout Southern California to witness the best female golfers in the world.”

This is the LPGA’s first return to Los Angeles in more than a decade. The tour’s Office Depot Championship was held at various Los Angeles courses from 2001 to 2005. Wilshire hosted the 2001 event that was won by Annika Sorenstam. The HUGEL-JTBC Open will be the third of the four tournaments held in California in 2018, joining the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, the Kia Classic in Carlsbad and a tournament in San Francisco.

“We’re very excited to take the LPGA back to Los Angeles and historic Wilshire CC, adding to the Tour’s already prominent presence in Southern California,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “We want to thank our good friends at HUGEL, JTBC and Eiger Marketing Group for providing us the opportunity to bring the stars of golf’s global tour to the heart of Hollywood and put on a show in one of the largest broadcast markets in the world.”

HUGEL is the South Korea-based maker of beauty products, including botulinum toxin product (commonly known as “botox.”) Founded in 2001, it exports botulinum toxin product Botulax to 24 countries including Japan, Thailand and Vietnam and plans to enter the U.S. market in future.

“HUGEL and JTBC are very excited to sponsor a new tournament in downtown L.A. and bring it to historic Wilshire CC,” said Tournament Chairman Sung Bum Hong, who is also Founder of HUGEL, and President/CEO of Shanghai Seouleaguer Hospital. “I hope this tournament will provide a valuable opportunity for female professional players to show their best talents and abilities, and hope to do my part to make it into one of the prominent tournaments on the LPGA tour.”

JTBC, a Korean broadcasting company that is part of the JoongAng Group, owns multiple channels that consist of comprehensive, golf-specialized and other various genres. JoongAng Group is a multi-media company that covers all categories of culture including printed media, television, entertainment and leisure. JTBC is also the LPGA’s Korean television rights holder and previously sponsored multiple events in Portland, Virginia and Arizona.

The HUGEL-JTBC Open is owned and operated by Eiger Marketing Group (EMG), a global marketing and event management agency. EMG also owns and operates the annual LPGA tournament in Atlantic City, as well as a number of other sporting and lifestyle events throughout the year.

“We’re excited to be part of the LPGA’s return to Los Angeles and look forward to engaging with community, business and civic leaders to put on a world-class event,” said JS Kang, tournament director of the HUGEL-JTBC Open.

Please visit hugeljtbcopen.com for more information on sponsorships, Pro-Am, ticket sales and volunteer registration.

The Los Angeles Country Club Makes Historic Charitable Donation to the SCGA Junior

January 09, 2018

The Southern California Golf Association’s Junior Foundation, which engages local youth in the lifelong benefits of golf, announced today that it had received $250,000 from The Los Angeles Country Club (LACC), one of the largest one-time donations in the history of SCGA and the largest gift from a member club.

Funds for this donation were generated by LACC’s hosting of The Walker Cup Match, a biennial amateur team competition contested by The R&A and USGA at which a U.S. team featuring three SCGA members defeated Great Britain and Ireland 19-7.

“This extremely generous donation promises to help dramatically expand access to youth golf programs across Southern California,” said Kevin Gigax, SCGA Junior’s executive director. “These funds will make a tremendous, long-lasting impact on our operations and our ability to bring golf, education and life skills to young people who would otherwise not have those opportunities.”

This year’s Walker Cup team featured three active SCGA members: Norman Xiong, an avid SCGA Junior participant, along with Collin Morikawa and LACC member Stewart Hagestad.

“This donation will allow the SCGA to introduce thousands of underserved youth to the game of golf here in Southern California, which is what we had in mind when we agreed to host the Walker Cup,” added LACC President Paul Major. “The SCGA Junior programs provide great opportunities to teach life skills that transcend golf.”

Gigax said funds from LACC's history-making gift will be used as a three-year investment to improve and expand junior golf instruction and decision-making curriculum. Specifically, the donation will be used to provide instructors, golf equipment, access and uniforms for youth development training programs.

Dan Sullivan Wins Second Consecutive Player of the Year Award

December 12, 2017

Balancing family and golf is no simple task. Dan Sullivan has mastered both, as he’s the loving father to two young children and now a two-time SCGA Player of the Year. Sullivan earned 1,500 points in 2017 – 465 points more than second place Tim Hogarth – and ran away with his second consecutive honor.

His year was jumpstarted with an incredible display of golf at the SCGA Mid-Amateur Championship, firing 67–66 to open the tournament before coasting to a final round 72 for a four-shot victory, earning 500 points. With the win, Sullivan earned a berth in the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship where he advanced to the semifinals.

Sullivan added to his strong 2017 campaign by advancing to the quarterfinals of the SCGA Match Play Championship, finishing in fourth place at the SCGA Stableford Team Championship and securing a 10th place finish at the SCGA Public Links Championship.

What does it mean to win the SCGA Player of the Year Award?

“It’s always a goal for me at the beginning of the season. It means a lot of things and for starters, it means that I simply played in a lot of events! But, jokes aside, I obviously had a good year on the course. It’s definitely a meaningful accomplishment and to be at the top of the list with all the great players we have in Southern California, its pretty special.”

How would you recap your 2017 golf season?

“It’s funny because I was struggling at the beginning of the year. It’s not unusual because I do take some time off over the winter and don’t play or practice at all. Even though I’m a slow starter, I was really frustrated with how I was playing early on. Coming into the SCGA Mid-Amateur, I had no inclination that I’d perform well. A couple days before that event, I felt completely lost with my game and I was burning the midnight oil on the range when I finally figured a little something out. I then proceeded to birdie the first three holes of the championship and went on to win. That morphed into a lot more confidence.”

What did winning the SCGA Mid-Amateur do for your confidence?

“It significantly elevated my confidence, especially as I was coming in with little to none. I played some of the best golf I’ve ever played in the first two round of that championship (11-under through two rounds). It was an irreplaceable confidence boost and let me know that I’m always capable of competing at the highest level. It’s always there, I just have to go find it.”

Where does golf fit into your everyday family life?

“It helps having a wife who’s very understanding of my competitiveness. It’s always been a balancing act but now that we have two young children, being able to play in competitive events will likely happen less over the years. I’ll still always find time to play in the bigger events but I’m also 50 years old now so I’ll begin to transition into senior events. I expect my wife to continue her awesome support and I’ll try to play as much as I can.”

What’s next for your golf career? Have you goals changed?

“My goals haven’t changed but I do have more confidence that I can achieve the very high expectation goals like winning a U.S. Mid-Amateur or winning a U.S. Senior Amateur. Being able to make it to back-to-back U.S. Mid-Amateur semi-finals has given me the confidence that someday I can actually win the thing!”

Jon Bilger elected president of the SCGA

November 14, 2017

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PASADENA, CALIF. (Nov. 14, 2017) – Jon Bilger, a retired senior vice president, CBRE – Retail Division, and member of La Jolla Country Club, was elected president of the Southern California Golf Association at its Annual Meeting, held Tuesday morning at Brookside GC in Pasadena. He succeeds Mission Hills Country Club member Keenan Barber.

“The SCGA is a great place thanks to the leadership of those before me,” said a humble Bilger. “I will look to continue the association’s positive ascension. I look forward to embracing this role.”

Joining the SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Chris Wilson of Lakeside Golf Club, Secretary Fred MacFarlane of Industry Hills Golf Club and Treasurer Bob Livingstone of El Dorado Park Golf Club.

Honored at the Annual Meeting were:

• The Padilla Family, who received the Jim House Award, which recognizes the work of an exceptional SCGA volunteer. The Padilla’s support of SCGA Junior has been unparalleled and was worthy of the first-ever family recognition for the award. Since becoming involved with SCGA Junior seven years ago, the Padilla family, whose two oldest boys are currently SCGA Junior scholars, has volunteered more than 300 hours during junior golf events and activities.
• Jerry Waletzko of Old Ranch Country Club, who was named the winner of the Newell Pinch Delegate of the Year Award for his service working as an SCGA ambassador.
• Jerry Leininger of El Dorado Park Golf Course, who was awarded the Don Carlson Handicap Chair of the Year Award for his accomplishments as the Handicap Chair of El Dorado.
• San Diego Country Club and The Los Angeles Country Club received the John Argue Founder’s Award, established to honor SCGA Junior Founder and former SCGA President John C. Argue. Both clubs were honored for their generous gifts to SCGA Junior in conjunction with hosting two of the year's biggest amateur golf events in the U.S. Women’s Amateur and Walker Cup, respectively.
• Peter James was honored with the President’s Award, annually given to an SCGA member or member club who’s dedicated to furthering the mission of SCGA Junior.

Dan Sullivan earned the SCGA Player of the Year award for a second straight year, an honor he receives for the third time in his decorated career. His 2017 season included his first SCGA Mid-Amateur victory and his second-straight semifinal appearance at the U.S. Mid-Amateur.

John Pate was recognized as the SCGA Senior Player of the Year, an honor he also received in 2015. Pate's year included a win at the 2016 California Senior Amateur Championship as well as a victory with partner Jeff Wilson at the 2017 SCGA Foursomes Championship.

SCGA Hall of Fame Welcomes 11th Class of Prestigious Inductees

November 14, 2017

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As the SCGA Hall of Fame inducted its 11th class Tuesday at Brookside GC in Pasadena in front of more than 200 guests, the theme of the day was family. Tom Addis III, former PGA of America President and current Executive Director/CEO of the SCPGA, entered the Hall of Fame surrounded by family and friends along with the first-ever father/son duo of William F. and William P. Bell, renowned golf course architects.

Tom Addis’ name is synonymous with Southern California golf. A legend in the SoCal golf community, Addis is revered for his contributions of over 45 years to the game and the region. Addis, who currently serves as the CEO/Executive Director of the Southern California Section of the PGA, is a longtime golf professional who served as president of the PGA of America from 1995-1996.

"You don't know how meaningful today is to me," said Addis at the ceremony. "I started in golf at 10 years old, caddying for $1 a round in Fresno. To have the opportunity to do what I've done since then means the world to me."

Throughout his impressive tenure in the golf business, Addis has served on the board of directors for the San Diego Junior Golf Association, Lorena Ochoa Foundation and the California Alliance for Golf, where he’s a founding member and past president of the statewide advocacy organization.Until 2006, Addis also served as owner and president of Medallion Golf Inc., a golf facility design, construction, operations and management services company.

During his career, Addis has received several special distinctions including the Joe Graffis Award (National Golf Foundation), Horton Smith Award (PGA of America), Herb GraffisAward (SCPGA), Langley Legends Award (NCPGA), Conrad Rehling Award (Special Olympics) and National PGA Golf Professional of the Year (PGA).

"What it's really about is what we all mean collectively to this great game," said Addis. "All of us here in this room, all of the great people and organizations I've worked with, we love the game and we love what we do."

During his current role with the Southern California PGA, Addis has committed significant resources to developing community-based initiatives that have impacted the Southland golf environment. He has worked tirelessly in support of player development programs including Golf in Schools and Neighborhood Golf. As a Conrad Rehling Award recipient, Addis has impacted the sporting world, helping establish golf as a recognized sport in the Special Olympics Games. He has ensured that everyone, including children and adults with special needs, school programs and community outreach programs, have access to the game.

And Addis practiced what he preached. He raised his two kids around the game, and today both his sons are presently involved in the golf industry. His son Bryan, a PGA professional at The Crosby in Rancho Santa Fe, was on hand to induct his father into the Hall of Fame.

"Both my brother and I built successful careers in golf out of the example my father set not only in business, but as a father and leader," said Bryan. "What I am today is because of him."

For Addis, the induction into the SCGA Hall of Fame is especially meaningful because of the others who have been inducted before him.

"Mentors and role models of mine like Len Kennett and Eddie Merrins, knowing I'll be with those two gentlemen and others well into the future, is especially special to me."

Joining Addis posthumously in the 2017 Hall of Fame class were William F. Bell and William. P. Bell, who are responsible for some of Southern California's greatest golf courses. If you’ve stepped foot onto a Southland golf course, a few degrees of separation would tell you that property had a Bell family influence. The dynamic design duo had a major role in shaping Los Angeles’ golf scene. On hand to accept the honor on behalf of his family was Jim Bell, the oldest living relative of the honorees.

"This is a great chance to reminisce," said Jim, who was also joined by the founder of The Bell Society, Mark Stuart. "I have fond memories of Uncle Billy and this induction means a lot to my family."

William Park Bell, most commonly known as Billy Bell, Sr., and William Francis Bell, nicknamed Billy Bell Jr., were legendary golf course architects who made significant contributions to Southern California golf in the 20th century.

As a young man, Billy Bell Sr. moved to California and served as caddiemaster at Annandale GC and then greenskeeper at Pasadena GC. In the 1920s, he spent his early years as a course architect collaborating with George Thomas Jr. on legendary designs such as Bel-Air CC and RivieraCC, to name just a few. During World War II, Billy Bell Sr. was a turf consultant to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Billy Bell Sr. has more than fifty courses credited to his work and design, and also served as president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1952. Among his most significant SoCal designs are La Jolla CC, San Diego CC and both courses at Brookside GC in Pasadena. In 1953, Billy Bell Sr. passed away, leaving behind his vision for the design of Torrey Pines GC.

Billy Bell Jr., a graduate of USC, joined his father’s design business in the post-war years and created some of Southern California’s best-known tracks, including Sandpiper GC, Industry Hills GC and Bermuda Dunes CC. He also pursued his late father’s design of Torrey Pines, overseeing the creation of both the North Course and the SouthCourse in the late 1950s. Billy Bell Jr. passed away in 1984, just after contributing to the legacy of California’s First Family of Golf Course Design.

Both Bells continue to be remembered as legends within the golf industry.

Addis and the Bells join a Hall of Fame that includes noteworthy greats like Craig Stadler, Corey Pavin, John Cook, Amy Alcott, Charlie Sifford and Al Geiberger. Click here to view a full list of inductees. Scott Medlock is the official artist of the SCGA Hall of Fame, and honors each inductee with a personalized painting.

Changes to Membership Renewal

October 23, 2017

A 12-Month Membership program was implemented March 1, 2017. For most golfers, your membership will expire Dec. 31, 2017. If your membership began AFTER March 1, 2017, your membership will expire 365 days from the date you joined.

You will be notified 60 days prior to expiration, regardless of your expiration date. If you do not renew before your expiration date, you will be inactivated from your club and receive a new membership end date upon renewal.

Renewal Procedures

1.If your club uses the SCGA online portal, you will receive a renewal email 60 days prior to expiration. This email will contain your renewal link that allows you to renew quickly and easily online.

2.If your club does not use the SCGA online portal, you will receive a renewal email 60 days prior to expiration with instructions to contact your club’s membership or handicap chair.

Check to see if your club uses the SCGA online portal at scga.org/renew (note: you cannot renew your membership until 60 days prior to your expiration date).

Questions about your specific renewal date?

Check your SCGA membership card for your expiration date (it was mailed to you with your Roger Dunn gift card) or contact your club's membership or handicap chair.

You can also contact the SCGA at 818-980-3630.

Private Club Member Exception

The above does not apply to Private club members. Check with your club’s membership director for renewal details.

Checking in with Champions Tour’s Corey Pavin

October 06, 2017

Just last year, the Champions Tour announced a new Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, a series of three events that would begin with the PowerShares QQQ Championship, which, luckily for SoCal golf fans, would be held right here in the Southland at Sherwood CC in Thousand Oaks. We caught up with Los Angeles native and SCGA Hall of Famer Corey Pavin, who currently sits 31st on the Charles Schwab Cup Money List, about the new series of events and why he’s excited to have the first leg of the playoffs here in Southern California.

What does the new playoff structure add to the Champions Tour season?

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to participate last year so I’m really looking forward to it this year. It adds a ton of excitement to the end of the year and it resets things, giving everyone a chance. If you play well in the last three tournaments you can make a run at the Schwab Cup. That’s exciting for pretty much everyone except Bernhard (Langer).”

Will you approach the first playoff event here in SoCal any differently than you did other events this year?

“Being a bit more aggressive is a reasonable strategy for the position that I’m in. I need to have very high finishes in the last few events. It’d be nice to move up these next couple weeks so I’m closer to the top and I have a legitimate shot at the title. Still have to play smart, but I think being more aggressive will be a great idea for me.”

What’s your familiarity with Sherwood CC?

“You know, I really haven’t played it that much. I’ve played it in Greg Norman’s “Shark Shootout” and a couple other times randomly but I haven’t played it a ton. I remember it being a fantastic golf course. You have to play a lot of good, quality shots into the greens. It’s very important to hit the fairways because you want clean iron shots due to the difficulty of the greens. I need to control my ball flight coming in due to the smaller landing areas.”

What has this season been like for you and what do you need to do in order to have a playoff push?

“It’s been a weird season for me. I was out all last season after surgery on my elbow and I had never been away from the game for that long. It took me a while to get back in the rhythm of playing regularly and finally I’ve started to play better recently. I feel like I’m definitely going in the right direction with my game. Just looking for a few really high finishes to close this season out.”

Do you still consider SoCal home base?

“Yes, I still live in Los Angeles. I play out of Bel-Air CC, which is nice enough to let me come out there to practice and play. It’s a club that I’ve been around since my UCLA days so there’s a lot of people that I know out there. It’s a fun place to be and a really nice course to play day-in and day-out.

Learn more about the PowerShares QQQ, and purchase tickets here.

SCGA members shine at 46th Walker Cup

September 10, 2017

When Norman Xiong wrapped up his historic freshman season at the University of Oregon in May he had one goal for the summer: Make the Walker Cup squad.

With his impressive summer, which included a win at the prestigious Western Amateur, Xiong did just that. The success, and victory, that followed at The Los Angeles CC this week was just icing on the cake.

Teaming up with fellow SCGA member Collin Morikawa for both foursomes matches, Xiong would earn his first Walker Cup point in record fashion, taking care of business quickly in Saturday morning foursomes with an 8 and 7 victory. He would go on to win his Saturday singles match, his Sunday foursomes match and hang on to halve his Sunday singles match to go 3-0-1 in his Walker Cup debut.

But teammate and Los Angeles native Morikawa would do Xiong one better, going undefeated and contributing four points to Team USA's lopsided victory. In addition to pairing with Xiong for two foursomes victories, Morikawa defeated Great Britain & Ireland's Paul McBride 3 and 2 Saturday and Harry Ellis 2 and 1 Sunday. Morikawa was one of three members of Team USA to go 4-0, the first time a team has had three members earn four points in the history of The Walker Cup Matches.

"That first tee shot is something I'll never forget," said Morikawa, a junior at Cal and native of La Canada Flintridge. "To see all the people come out, you know they are rooting for you and Team USA, it's really something special. I was fortunate to have the Walker Cup here at home. Being from L.A., this city means so much to me. I heard little kids today saying they are from La Canada, which is amazing. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else to have this win with this team."

And while Xiong, Morikawa and all members of Team USA were followed by large, supportive crowds all weekend, no gallery was as big or enthusiastic than that of The Los Angeles CC member Stewart Hagestad, who at 26 years old was the oldest player in the field. Hagestad, a native of Newport Beach who earned his spot on the Walker Cup team with a win at last year's U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship and low amateur honors at this year's Masters, had an unforgettable week playing in front of family and friends at his home club.

"To have the final point to clinch the Walker Cup, on my home course, in front of all my friends and family, is pretty special," said Hagestad. "I think I'm going to have to take some time and sleep on this and let it marinate. But to do it in a team setting, to do it representing the United States, to do it with my friends and family almost having somewhat of a home course disadvantage by the amount of people and expectations that I put on myself, it's just so gratifying and I'm really, really proud of myself and I can't wait to celebrate with the guys tonight."

Sitting out the morning foursomes matches, Hagestad was first out in the singles matches Sunday afternoon, a spot which proved to be important. After Team USA's Braden Thornberry took care of his match early on the 13th hole, and Xiong had clinched at least a half point by virtue of being 2 up with two holes to play, it was Hagestad's 2 and 1 victory over previously-undefeated Jack Singh Brar that officially guaranteed the home team the win. Hagestad learned of the victory-clinching moment from Shane Bacon live on FS1.

"That honestly just gave me goosebumps," said Hagestad as he heard the news. "This is an incredible moment and now I just want to celebrate with the rest of my team."

Overall, the three SCGA members on the Walker Cup squad contributed 8.5 points to Team USA, which won the 46th Walker Cup by a final score of 19-7. The Los Angeles CC's hosting of the Walker Cup marked the first time The Walker Cup Matches were held in Southern California. The Los Angeles CC will welcome the USGA back in six years, when it hosts the U.S. Open in 2023.

USGA Announces 2017 United States Team for the 46th Walker Cup Match

August 20, 2017

USA Squad Will Face Great Britain and Ireland Team at The Los Angeles Country Club in September

The USGA today announced the 10 players who will make up the 2017 United States Walker Cup Team. The USA team will meet Great Britain and Ireland in the 46th Match at The Los Angeles CC’s North Course, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10.

The 10 players chosen by the USGA’s International Team Selection Committee and captained by John “Spider” Miller, of Indianapolis, Ind., include SCGA members Stewart Hagestad, 26, of Newport Beach, Calif.; Collin Morikawa, 20, of La Canada Flintridge, Calif.; and Norman Xiong, 18, of Canyon Lake, Calif.; as well as Cameron Champ, 21, of Sacramento, Calif.; Doug Ghim, 21, of Arlington Heights, Ill.;Maverick McNealy, 21, of Portola Valley, Calif.; Doc Redman, 19, of Raleigh, N.C.; Scottie Scheffler, 21, of Dallas, Texas; Braden Thornberry, 20, of Olive Branch, Miss.; and Will Zalatoris, 21, of Plano, Texas. McNealy is the lone returning player from the 2015 USA Team.

“George Herbert Walker’s vision was for leading amateur golfers to come together for a friendly competition to promote interest in the game on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean,” said Diana M. Murphy, the USGA president. “The United States Team is a talented group of players who will work together to be competitive against Great Britain and Ireland, but at the same time uphold the ideals of friendship and understanding that were foreseen nearly a century ago.”

The Walker Cup Match is a biennial amateur team competition between the USA and a team composed of players from Great Britain and Ireland, selected by The R&A. The Match is played over two days with 18 singles matches and eight foursomes (alternate-shot) matches. The USA leads the overall series, 35-9-1, but the teams have split the last 14 meetings since 1989.

The first USA Walker Cup Team, which posted an 8-4 victory in 1922 at the National Golf Links of America, in Southampton, N.Y., is considered among the best teams ever assembled and included Francis Ouimet, Bob Jones, Charles “Chick” Evans and Jess Sweetser. Many of the game’s greatest players have competed in the Walker Cup, including U.S. Open champions Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson for the USA and Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose for Great Britain and Ireland.

“It is a great honor to serve as the USA captain and to work with a group of young men who represent the best of amateur golf in this country,” said USA captain John “Spider” Miller, who played on the 1999 USA Walker Cup Team, won two U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships and also captained the 2015 USA Team, which lost, 16½ -9½. “The squad members have a long list of individual and team accomplishments but they are now committed both to representing the United States and to the spirit and tradition of the Walker Cup Match.”

The Walker Cup Match will be conducted for the third time on the West Coast and was previously hosted by Seattle (Wash.) Golf Club in 1961 and Cypress Point Club, in Pebble Beach, Calif., in 1981. This year’s match will be played on The Los Angeles County Club’s North Course, which was designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and restored by Gil Hanse. The course will be set up at 7,425 yards and play to a par of 35-36-71.

“Amateur golf is central to the USGA’s mission and we are meticulous in our selection of the USA Walker Team,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman. “The Los Angeles Country Club, which hosted USGA championships in 1930 and 1954, has the same dedication and will be a tremendous venue for this international competition.”

Sam Burns, 21, of Shreveport, La.; Dawson Armstrong, 21, of Brentwood, Tenn.; and Dylan Meyer, 22, of Evansville, Ind., are the first, second and third alternatives, respectively.

SCGA MEMBER WALKER CUP PROFILES:

Stewart Hagestad, 26, of Newport Beach, Calif. (born 4-10-91): He won the 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship by defeating Scott Harvey in 37 holes. Hagestad, who became the second-youngest champion, produced the largest comeback victory (4 down with 5 holes to play) since a 36-hole Mid-Amateur final was introduced in 2001. He was the low amateur in the 2017 Masters Tournament, tying for 36th, and competed in this year’s U.S. Open. Hagestad was a member of the University of Southern California (USC) golf team and graduated in 2013. Hagestad, who was chosen 2016 Metropolitan Golf Association Player of the Year, won last year’s Met Amateur, edging Ethan Ng in 38 holes. He has played in 12 USGA championships, including eight U.S. Amateurs.

Collin Morikawa, 20, of La Cañada Flintridge, Calif. (born 2-6-97): He advanced to the Round of 16 for the second consecutive year in the U.S. Amateur Championship. Morikawa defeated a pair of Australians in the first two rounds of match play. He earned first-team All-American and first-team Pac-12 Conference honors as a sophomore at the University of California. He was chosen 2016 Pac-12 Conference Freshman of the Year. Morikawa, who competed in his first USGA championship at the 2015 U.S. Amateur, won the 2017 Northeast Amateur by two strokes with a 72-hole score of 11-under 265. He was the Sunnehanna Amateur runner-up, losing to Braden Thornberry in a three-hole playoff, and tied for second in the Trans-Mississippi Amateur.

Norman Xiong, 18, of Canyon Lake, Calif. (born 11-9-98): He earned the 2017 Phil Mickelson Award as Division I’s top freshman while playing at the University of Oregon. The Ducks won the Pac-12 Conference Championship, finish third at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional and reached the NCAA match-play final against Oklahoma. Xiong was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection. He shot rounds of 64 and 70 in stroke play to earn the No. 2 seed in the 2017 U.S. Amateur match-play bracket. Xiong defeated Doc Redman in 22 holes to win the 2017 Western Amateur and was the championship’s stroke-play medalist by one stroke over Brad Dalke. Xiong won the 2015 CIF/SCGA Regional as a sophomore at Temescal Canyon High School.

Interested in attending the 2017 Walker Cup Match? Purchase tickets here!

Big Names Eliminated as SCGA Match Play Championships Reach Round of 16

August 20, 2017

Bracket Senior Bracket Images

Returning to Sandpiper GC for the first time since 2012, the SCGA Match Play and Senior Match Play Championships began Sunday under cloudy skies on the coast of Goleta, Calif., just outside of Santa Barbara. By days end, adjacent to a perfectly blue Pacific Ocean and ideal conditions, both fields had shrunk from 32 to 16 golfers as the Championships celebrate their tenth anniversaries.

In the Championship division, upsets were the story of the day, as six of the top-10 seeded golfers all fell in the opening Round of 32 on Sunday. In a matchup between two past SCGA champions, Robbie Foster of Indio took out defending champion Tim Hogarth of Northridge 4 and 2, with Foster winning holes 14 and 16 to close the match early. Foster, who has teamed up with Jeff Fortson in the past to win both the SCGA Foursomes and SCGA Stableford Championships, grabbed an early 2 up lead that he would never relinquish. Leading by as many as 4 up on three separate occasions, Foster took advantage of a tough day for Hogarth, who played his 16 holes in 6-over par. Hogarth, who is fresh off a runner-up finish at the SCGA Public Links Championship, collected his first win in the SCGA Match Play Championship last year at Coto de Caza GC, which capped off at least one win for the 51-year-old veteran in all SCGA majors, including the SCGA Amateur, SCGA Mid-Amateur and California Amateur Championships.

With Foster's win, the 32-seed advances to face Tyler Gulliksen of San Diego in the first match of the day Monday at 8:50 a.m. Gulliksen, who made quick work of his opponent Sunday in a 5 and 4 victory, last year advanced to the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Hogarth.

Along with Hogarth, top seeds Cody Hall (No. 3), Adam Navigato (No. 6), Mark Warman (No. 7), former SCGA Amateur Champion Nathan Celusta (No. 8) and Satch Herrmann (No. 10) all fell in the opening round. Navigato played in the match of the day, as his battle against Arcadia's Kevin Chen went a lengthy 23 holes, before a birdie on the fifth extra hole by Chen sealed the victory. He will face Tavit Garabedian in the Round of 16 Monday.

Also advancing to Day 2 is a trio of SCGA Mid-Amateur Champions; Dan Sullivan, who won his match 2 and 1 against Ken Cruz of Fullerton, Jeff Wilson, who beat Mark Miller 2 and 1, and Ramie Sprinkling, who defeated Genki Tamashiro 3 and 2. Round of 16 action begins at 8:50 a.m., with the quarterfinals beginning immediately after at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday will feature both the semifinal and final matches.

Over in the Senior Division, top seed John Pate made quick work of Gary Crabtree, winning 4 and 3 after taking a 5 up lead through five holes. Defending Champion Craig Calkins of Hacienda GC also advanced, beating Guy Ewen 3 and 1.

Other notables to advance include four-time SCGA Amateur Champion Craig Steinberg, former SCGA Senior Player of the Year Michael Turner and former California Amateur Champion Mark Harding. Senior division matches begin Monday morning at 7:30 a.m., with quarterfinal action starting at 12:30. Stay tuned to scga.org for live, hole-by-hole scoring of all matches.

Morikawa Dominates in U.S. Amateur Round of 64

August 16, 2017

Pairings/Results

By Julia Pine

After rounds of 68 and 70 left him T8 at the conclusion of stroke play, Collin Morikawa made playing Riviera CC look easy during the Round of 64 Wednesday at the U.S. Amateur Championship. The rising University of California, Berkeley star, who already this summer earned a big win at the Northeast Amateur, currently sits at No. 5 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings and lived up to his status, defeating Blake Collyer of Australia 6 and 5.

"It's never easy," said Morikawa. "All the players that made it out here are fantastic. I knew it was going to be a good test no matter what. I was able to make a lot of pars and kind of take advantage of his errors today."

Morikawa played his 13 holes on Wednesday in 2-under par, and will advance to Thursday morning's Round of 32, where he will face another Australian in Dylan Perry, who earlier this summer finished as the runner-up at The 122nd Amateur Championship at Royal St George. Perry won his Round of 64 match in 19 holes.

"This week you can't think about what's going to happen on Friday, Saturday or even tomorrow afternoon," said Morikawa, who will play at 8:25 a.m.. "It's really one match at a time. Golf is about each shot. Tomorrow is just about the next match."

One match at a time is exactly the attitude Sahith Theegala of Pepperdine has, as the SCGA member from Chino Hills was presented with one of the toughest draws in the bracket when stroke play completed Tuesday evening. Theegala, who competed in the PGA TOUR's Genesis Open at Riviera in February, defeated his opponent Gavin Hall in 19 holes Wednesday, coming from behind to steal victory away from the University of Texas senior, who is ranked in the Top 40 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings. In a match that many would have loved to see later in the week, neither competitor ever led by more than 1. After taking a lead with a birdie on the first hole, Theegala would lose his advantage right away on the challenging par-4 second hole. He would regain the advantage on Hole 6, one that he would hold until Hall would bring the match back to All Square on 12 before taking his first lead on 13.

With his back against the wall, Theegala entered the par-5 17th hole down 1, knowing he needed to win one of the final two holes to keep his week alive. He would card an impressive birdie on 17 before missing an 8-foot birdie putt on 18 that would have sealed the comeback. But it would take just one extra hole to complete the job.

But things don't get any easier for Theegala, who moves on to the Round of 32 to face Hall's teammate Doug Ghim, a rising junior at Texas who is currently ranked No. 7 in the world.

Ricky Castillo, who at 16 years old is now the youngest player left in the field, also looked to have a tough draw in the bracket before No. 2 ranked amateur in the world Maverick McNealy was eliminated Wednesday by Connor Syme of Scotland. Castillo took care of his opponent Edwin Yi of The University of Oregon 3 and 1 in the opening round of match play, and will now face Syme.

"I made a couple of really good swings and made couple really good putts," said Castillo of Yorba Linda. "My putting has been really good this week. I live out here so I'm used to poana and kikuyu, so I think I have a little bit of an advantage. Edwin is a great player. He played really well today. I just made a couple more putts than him. That's all."

Castillo feels very comfortable with the match play format, having recently made it to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Boys' Junior.

"I like match play. I like the way it's set up," said Castillo. "I felt really good coming into this event; my confidence was high after the Junior."

Matt Wolff of Agoura Hills, who recently made it to the final match of the U.S. Boys' Junior Championship, fell in his match Wednesday 3 and 2 to Tyler Strafaci of Florida.

Norman Xiong of San Diego, who recently took home the prestigious Western Amateur, dug himself a early hole and was unable to climb out, losing 2 up to Billy Walthouse of University of Rhode Island.

The Championship will continue Thursday morning, as Round of 32 matches get underway at 7:15 a.m. The Round of 16 will kick off immediately after, beginning around 1:15 p.m. The action can be watched live on FS1 at 3 p.m., or streamed live on usga.org beginning at 11 a.m.

Match play field set for 2017 U.S. Amateur at Riviera

August 15, 2017

Pairings/Results

By Julia Pine

Just 178 days ago Sahith Theegala went through the best preparation for this year's U.S. Amateur Championship a golfer could receive. Over four days in February, Theegala played in the PGA TOUR's Genesis Open at Riviera CC, which happens to also be the host site for this year's Amateur. Making the field by way of the Collegiate Showdown, an 18-hole qualifier held the Monday of tournament week, Theegala made the cut in his PGA TOUR debut, playing two rounds alongside former U.S. Amateur Champion Phil Mickelson and seeing Riviera in clear cut tournament conditions.

That experience should bode well for Theegala this week, as after rounds of 72 (Riviera) and 68 (Bel-Air CC), the rising Pepperdine University junior has made the match play portion of the event, which gets underway Wednesday morning.

"I am pretty confident in my game," said Theegala. "I'm fresh off taking a couple of weeks off. I've been hitting the ball well, really well, and my short game has been solid so far."

Theegala followed up his opening round 72 with a 2-under par 68 at Bel-Air, which featured an impressive birdie on the first hole. After a rare errant tee shot found itself in the left rough, Theegala hit a tree on his second shot before chipping the ball to ten feet. He would make the putt to birdie the 492-yard opening par-5 hole.

"To make that putt was huge starting off the round right away like that," said Theegala. "That was a big one."

Despite an opening round of 2-over par at Riviera Monday, Theegala feels good about his opportunity at the course.

"I actually didn't play too bad yesterday," said Theegala, a native of Chino Hills, Calif who last year made it to the U.S. Amateur quarterfinals. "It was playing tough and I missed it in a few wrong places and had no chance to make par. Today I hit my driver well, and hit a lot of fairways. Obviously everyone's goal is to get into match play, so I'm super pumped about that."

Theegala will face Gavin Hall of New York in the Round of 64 at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday.

Also achieving the goal of match play is La Canada Flintridge native and Cal Berkeley golfer Collin Morikawa, who entered the event ranked fifth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. After an opening round 68 at Bel-Air on Monday, Morikawa shot even par at Riviera Tuesday to easily make Wednesday's action.

"I could have been the 64th seed and I'd have been happy," said Morikawa, who earlier this summer won the Northeast Amateur. "Now the slate is wiped clean and everyone is on an even playing field."

The match play portion of the event, in addition to wiping the slate clean for the remaining 64 competitors, may also change the strategy for players like Morikawa. On the iconic 10th hole at Riviera, which Tuesday was playing at 327 yards, Morikawa pulled out a driver, eventually putting himself in position for a birdie putt which he just missed. We may not see that again Wednesday.

"It will depend who I am playing and what they are doing. Where we are in the match," said Morikawa, who will face Australia's Blake Collyer at 10:30 a.m. "I do think, however, that if I go driver and miss it, I still give myself the chance to chip onto the front. We'll see."

Norman Xiong, who is coming off a career-changing win at the Western Amateur, held a share of the Round 1 lead after blazing Riviera for a 64 Monday. He cooled down a bit Tuesday, but will be a top seed as the Championship moves into the match play portion. After a hot start at Bel-Air, that saw the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year collect two birdies in his first four holes, Xiong would run into trouble on the par-3 13th hole, carding a five, and then collecting another bogey two holes later. A late birdie on 18 would right the ship, sending Xiong into match play a clear favorite to make a long run.

"It was fun," said Xiong, who finished with an even par 70 at Bel-Air to finish second in stroke play and three behind the medalist. "I played some really solid golf. Did what I needed to do and got through to match play, which is the biggest goal."

Other SoCal stars to make match play include Matt Wolff of Westlake Village, who is coming off a runner-up finish at the U.S. Boys' Junior, and Ricky Castillo of Yorba Linda, who also had a nice match play run at the Boys' Junior. Wolff will face Tyler Strafaci of Florida at 11:20 a.m. while Castillo will play Oregon's Edwin Yi at 9 a.m.

The stroke play portion of the event will conclude at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, as the competitors sitting at 4-over par on the leaderboard battle it out in a playoff to firm up the 64 seeds. Thirteen players will battle it out for the final eight spots, including one against Xiong at 1:50 p.m. Round of 64 action will begin at 8:50 a.m.

Xiong Paces Field on Day 1 of U.S. Amateur

August 14, 2017

Pairings/Results

By Julia Pine

Norman Xiong is making a last ditch effort to don the red, white and blue at The Los Angeles CC this September. But for now, he's focused on this week at nearby Riviera CC.

After the biggest win of his career earlier this month at The Western Amateur, Xiong, a rising sophomore at the University of Oregon and native of Canyon Lake, Calif., scorched Riviera Monday for a 6-under par 64, tying the low round of the day to open the 2017 U.S. Amateur Championship. After cracking the Top-10 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings for the first time in his career on Wednesday (he currently sits at No. 9 on the rankings), Xiong is giving Captain Spider Miller and the USGA a lot to consider as the Walker Cup team gets formalized later this week. The 46th Walker Cup Match will be held mid-September at The Los Angeles CC.

"Making the Walker Cup team is definitely a goal," said Xiong after his round. "I mean, ever since the summer started really it was in the back of my mind. Then I made it a really big goal of mine, so hopefully I get in. I hope my play keeps up and I can make it."

Xiong shot one of three rounds of 64 Monday, with Hayden Wood of Oklahoma joining him for the low-round of the day at Riviera and Mark Lawrence Jr. of Virginia shooting a 64 over at nearby Bel-Air CC. On Tuesday, all 312 competitors will switch courses to finish up stroke play. On Wednesday, the top 64 will make the match play field, which will battle it out the rest of the week at Riviera before Sunday's 36-hole final match.

"Bel-Air is totally different than [Riviera], but scorable," said Xiong. "There are a lot of chances to kind of hit it out of play and make a big number, though. My biggest goal will be the same thing: keep it in play, get it on the green and score from inside 150 yards in."

Xiong was able to do that Monday, turning in a bogey-free round that included six birdies, including one on the iconic, 476-yard par-4 18th hole. Xiong, who played a practice round at Riviera both before and after his win at the Western Amateur, hasn't played much golf since the big victory, only playing his practice rounds at Riviera and Bel-Air in the last few days.

"The [Western] was exhausting, so I've really been trying to rest up since then," he said.

In addition to winning the Western, Xiong was also the event's medalist. He will tee off at Bel-Air at 1:49 p.m. Tuesday in a featured group that also includes Doug Ghim and Cameron Champ.

Collin Morikawa of La Canada Flintridge shot the low-round of the day for Southern California players at Bel-Air Monday, turning in a 2-under par 68. After a hot start saw him get as low as 5-under par, Morikawa ended his round with bogeys on three of his last four holes.

"I had three three-putts coming down the stretch, and I have to fix that if I want to stay in contention," said Morikawa. "But overall it's a good start for the tournament. I can't complain really."

Morikawa sits T7 after Round 1, and is looking to build off a summer that already includes a win at the Northeast Amateur in June.

"It's a long week," said Morikawa of his game plan tomorrow. "You hope to finish out on top, but you have to worry about the day that's ahead and each shot. You get ahead of yourself and you think about later on in the week, you know, something might get a little tangled up. All I'm focused on is tomorrow and making the cut."

Reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion and frequent SCGA tournament competitor Stewart Hagestad is among those hoping to advance to Wednesday's Match Play action after an opening-round 2-over par 72 at Riviera. Other than the low scores posted by Xiong and Wood, Riviera played tougher overall, with just five of the 14 lowest scores of the day coming on the Pacific Palisades course. Also sitting at 2-over par after playing Riviera is Pepperdine's Sahith Theegala, who earlier this year made the cut at the Genesis Open, the PGA TOUR's annual event at Riviera. Theegala and Hagestad are also joined by Westlake Village's Spencer Soosman and UCLA's Corey Shaun at T61 on the leaderboard.

Round 2 action will begin Tuesday at 7 a.m. Fox and FS1 will air coverage of the match-play portion of the competition from Aug. 16-20.

SCHEDULE OF PLAY

Monday, Aug. 14: First round, stroke play (18 holes)
Tuesday, Aug. 15: Second round, stroke play (18 holes)
Wednesday, Aug. 16: First round, match play
Thursday, Aug. 17: Second and third rounds, match play
Friday, Aug. 18: Quarterfinal round, match play
Saturday, Aug. 19: Semifinal round, match play
Sunday, Aug. 20: Championship match (36 holes)

Collin Morikawa Enters 2017 U.S. Amateur As Top-Ranked SoCal Golfers

August 13, 2017

La Canada Flintridge Native and Cal Berkeley Junior Morikawa Set To Compete In His Third Consecutive U.S. Amateur As The 2017 Event Comes to Southern California

Pairings/Results

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ricky Barnes and Bryson DeChambeau are Californians who have won the U.S. Amateur and leveraged the ultimate amateur experience as a springboard onto fruitful and famous PGA TOUR careers. This is the same path La Canada Flintridge, Calif. native Collin Morikawa hopes to walk along in golf.

Morikawa, 20, is the top-ranked amateur from Southern California within the 312-player field at this week’s 117th U.S. Amateur Championship, positioned at No. 5 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking™. The 2017 Northeast Amateur Champion is a Los Angeles Lakers and Dodgers fan who loves LA and proclaims LA will always be his home.

As he prepares to tee up his ball at the U.S. Amateur for the third consecutive year, this time at The Riviera Country Club and Bel-Air Country Club from Aug. 14-20, he’s hoping LA will love him back on a pair of its famed golf courses, and that his third U.S. Amateur will be the charm and land him the Havemeyer Trophy.

“It’s definitely the best amateur event anyone can play in. The strength of the field and the size of the field, allowing any amateur to play, it’s the pinnacle of the amateur events,” Morikawa said. “I take a lot of pride in being from LA, I love it down here. I’ll always live, breathe and bleed LA. Seeing the history and all the players that have been out here, I just hope to represent LA and Southern California as best as I can.

“To have the biggest event of the year for us here in LA, it really means a lot. Hopefully we’ll get some big crowds out there and we’ll have a lot of fun. Hopefully it will be a memorable one.”

Tickets to the U.S. Amateur are available online at usga.org/usam. Tickets are $20 (single-day grounds) and $75 for a weekly pass. Military personnel and students receive free admission with valid ID. The oldest golf championship in America, the U.S. Amateur was first held in 1895 at the Newport (R.I.) Country Club.

The La Canada High School alumnus and University of California (Berkeley) junior participated in the previous two U.S. Amateurs – Morikawa missed the cut through stroke play in 2015 at Olympia Fields CC (Illinois) before reaching match play and the Round of 16 last year at Oakland Hills CC (Michigan).

Morikawa began his U.S. Amateur preparations in earnest over the last week of July, doing reconnaissance at the upcoming U.S. Amateur sites. He played Bel-Air CC for the second time ever and Riviera CC (home of the PGA TOUR’s annual Genesis Open) for the third time on consecutive days.

“They’re great courses. Growing up in California, you kind of get used to the Poa annua grass,” Morikawa said. “The first priority is to make match play. It’s not easy. I hope to make it far and give it a good run. What I learned last year, it’s going to help me a lot. Match play is a completely different game from what we usually play. You have to be consistent. You can’t give away shots because every shot counts.”

Morikawa credits his father, Blaine, and his uncle, Mel, for introducing him to golf. As a child, he would tag along with them to the driving range. Shortly after, he was introduced to golf on television and took inspiration from another Southern Californian’s domination of golf – Tiger Woods – and joined the ultra-competitive California junior golf scene.

“I gave up baseball and basketball when I was about 10, and I knew this is what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be a professional golfer at some point,” Morikawa said. ”Growing up, I was a Tiger Woods fan. Who wasn’t? What he’s done on the course is absolutely stunning.

“I always loved competing and playing in as many tournaments as a little kid. Growing up in California, I’ve been very fortunate to have such great players to play against and push me towards a higher goal. Competing on the biggest stage is what I live for and what I love to do. It’s not something I get tired of, ever.”

Through his first two years at Cal, the golfing achievements have stockpiled for Morikawa. In his 2015-16 season, he was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, became the Bears’ first GCAA Freshman All-American and tied for 10^th at the NCAA Championships. As a sophomore last season, he was named a Division I PING First-Team All-American, a semifinalist for the Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year and Ben Hogan Awards and finished second among all NCAA golfers with a 69.94 stroke average.

Morikawa plans to see his time through at Cal and graduate in two more years before he considers a professional golf career “unless something really big happens, like winning a professional event.” That almost happened during his first foray on a professional circuit last year.

Receiving an exemption into the Web.com Tour’s 2016 Air Capital Classic, Morikawa amazingly advanced to a playoff against current PGA TOUR golfers J.J. Spaun and Ollie Schniederjans, who ultimately won the tournament. In October, Morikawa made his PGA TOUR debut as an amateur exemption at the 2016-17 season-opening Safeway Open in Napa, Calif.

Coming off of his sophomore campaign at Cal, Morikawa was one of 10 members of the victorious U.S. team in June’s Arnold Palmer Cup, posting a 2-2 record at the Atlanta Athletic Club (Georgia). It was one of Morikawa’s most memorable golf highlights and it will lead to another as he was nominated from the U.S. Palmer Cup squad to receive an amateur exemption into next year’s PGA TOUR Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard in Orlando, Fla.

Just two months removed from the Palmer Cup, Morikawa believes the experience on that stage can help him prepare mentally and emotionally for competing at the U.S. Amateur.

“Representing the United States at the Palmer Cup was fantastic, and to be put in that position in match play was amazing,” Morikawa said. “Representing the United States, it’s something that you never forget.”

Morikawa’s sights are now set on Bel-Air CC, which will serve as the stroke-play co-host course and last hosted the U.S. Amateur in 1976 (won by Bill Sander), and Riviera CC, a first-time host to the U.S. Amateur. Morikawa hopes a little hometown karma will help to further polish his golf resume in the same way the U.S. Amateur has done so for Californian starlets who have come before him.

“Collin is among a great group of outstanding youngsters in the field of 312,” said Michael R. Yamaki, corporate office of The Riviera Country Club. “It’s going to be an incredible week of golf for the players and the fans as the U.S. Amateur champion is crowned.”

Riviera will host its first U.S. Amateur Championship this week. Bel-Air, which will serve as the stroke-play co-host course, hosted the 1976 U.S. Amateur, won by Bill Sander.

Vu’s 2017 Success Continues at U.S. Women’s Amateur

August 11, 2017

By Julia Pine

Pairings/Results

Seven years ago Lilia Vu stood at the practice area of the 2010 U.S. Women's Amateur, watching in awe as competitors hit chip shots with ease. At just 12 years old, Vu had herself qualified for the Championship, held at Charlotte CC and eventually won by fellow Southern Californian Danielle Kang, but the young girl from Fountain Valley felt out of her league.

"I remember standing there for almost two hours just watching this girl from Texas A&M hit flop shots that I knew I couldn't hit," said Vu, now 19. "I knew it was special to be there when I saw how many great players there were in the field."

What Vu didn't know, however, was that it would be another seven years until she would find herself back in the field at the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, now in its 117th year. Attempting to make it through qualifying every since being at Charlotte CC, Vu is finally back in the event and taking advantage of it, winning Friday to advance to the semifinals.

For some, Vu's success may seem like a surprise, but for those who have followed women's amateur golf for the past 12 months know, the rising UCLA junior has quickly become one of the game's brightest stars. After earning her first win since her junior golf days last summer at the SCGA Women's Amateur Championship at Rancho Santa Fe GC, Vu went on a tear, winning four times individually this season as a member of UCLA's women's golf team, including at the Pac-12 Championship. Her success led her to be named Pac-12 Women's Golfer of the Month twice this season. She would then finish second at the prestigious Canadian Women's Amateur in July. The phenomenal year catapulted her to No. 5 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, exempting her into this year's Women's Amateur.

"I didn’t win one single time in high school," said Vu. "I was always getting top 5 but never the win. I didn’t have any confidence. And then I went to college and my teammate Bronte [Law] who is very competitive, she brought out this new side in me. I've followed in her footsteps and learned a lot from her. I’m really thankful for that."

Back in the Championship seven years later with a new confidence and winning resume, Vu has played as solidly as anyone else in the field this week at San Diego CC. And besides now being able to hit flop shots as well as the rest of the field, it's the mental side of the game that Vu credits for her success.

"I think I’m a more well-rounded player," said Vu. "I have better course strategy. I’m less risky. I know where it’s OK to miss, and I always take that into account. I play smarter, not necessarily better."

The course strategy comes in handy at San Diego CC, which is known for its diabolical greens. So far this week Vu has been able to master them, although Friday was a grind. Despite winning her quarterfinal match 4 and 3 over young phenom Lucy Li of Northern California, Vu was unable to record a birdie all day, earning her victory despite a 1-over par showing in 15 holes.

"With the irons today I just didn’t put it where I wanted," said Vu. "I hit it long today, which was good. But I had a lot of downhill putts, and those are really challenging here. I didn’t leave 4-5 footers uphill like I want to."

But Vu didn't let the struggles derail her, showing the smarter, wiser play she credits for her success.

"I used to get angry after every bad shot, now I accept it and move on to the next one," said Vu. "It’s too much energy to get angry. It takes too much mental energy that I could use to think about the next shot."

Where did that come in handy? On No. 10, where Vu didn't want to lose the momentum she had gained on No. 9, where she had just extended her advantage to 3 up for the first time in the match.

"I had 140 in, hit a 9-iron and blew it over the green, which was surprising since I opted to take the lower club," said Vu. "I had a tough downhill chip, and tried to flop it and land soft. It rolled 15 feet past the hole. I was angry. But I picked myself up and realized I just had an uphill left to right 15-foot putt next and made it."

Li matched with a 15-foot par putt of her own, but struggled on the day, posting six bogeys and allowing Vu to lead from the second hole on.

"I couldn't hit the ball straight today," said Li, 14. "I don't know if it was because I was tired after 36 holes yesterday or what. I'm very proud though, this is the furthest I've ever made it in match play. I beat a lot of very good players in the first three rounds."

The victory for Vu allowed her to seek some revenge for teammates Bethany Wu and Mariel Galdiano, who both lost to Li earlier in the week.

"It was some good redemption for us," said Vu. "I knew it was going to be a grind today, I told my mom that before the round, because I saw how much [Li] challenged my teammates. But I didn't let it get to my head. I just wanted to play golf and do me."

For Vu, the birdie-free round was a stark difference to Thursday, where she advanced through the Rounds of 32 and 16 with seven birdies in just 31 holes. She'll try to fall back into that groove tomorrow, when she faces Albane Valenzuela of Stanford at 8 a.m. in the semifinals. Valenzuela defeated Robynn Ree of USC, the only other SCGA member to advance to the quarterfinals, 4 and 3 to advance to Saturday's action.

"I'm going to work on my putting a bit this afternoon, but then probably take it easy and rest up for tomorrow," said Vu, who started to feel her back bothering her a bit beginning on the ninth hole. "I came into this tournament with no expectations. I’m back again for the first time since I was 12. I just wanted to try my best, and I’m happy with where I am now. Hopefully I can make it to Sunday."

Former MLB All-Star Hasegawa Qualifies For U.S. Amateur

August 11, 2017

The SCGA hosted eight U.S. Amateur Championship qualifiers, as some of the finest golfers began their journey to the 2017 U.S. Amateur, held at Riviera CC and Bel-Air CC here in Southern California Aug. 14-20. Three men advanced out of each qualifier, but only one has previous experience at the pinnacle of another sport. Shigetoshi Hasegawa pitched nine seasons in the MLB with the Angels and Mariners, earning an All-Star bid in 2003. The right-hander retired in 2005, but as it turns out, his sporting career was not over just yet. We caught up with the ex-big leaguer on the eve of his debut in another spotlight.

You were out there with predominately younger players who are used to the format of two rounds in one day. Were those 36 holes of qualifying taxing?

“I was certainly the old guy. My goal was just to finish the 36 holes standing up. Obviously I was thinking about the score, but I had to just complete the round. Luckily it wasn’t super hot like the last time I tried to qualify, so my legs held up and I was able to get into the clubhouse in one piece.”

What kind of experience do you bring from your background as a professional athlete?

“Well, I’m not going to have the same nerves as some of these young kids. I used to get really nervous back in high school in Japan while I was playing baseball because everything was under a microscope. Since those days I’ve never been nervous, even in my time in the big leagues. I used to pitch in front of 50,000 people so I think my nerves will be fine and I’ll have an advantage in that sense.”

You’ve approached the pinnacle of two different sports; Major League Baseball and now amateur golf. Similar paths to get there?

“Yeah, kind of. If I can make the U.S. Open that would top being in the All-Star Game for the MLB. I don’t think I’m at my peak for golf just yet, but hopefully soon. My goal is to make to the match play portion of the upcoming event. I’m not saying that I was lucky to qualify, but I do know that I’ve got to go out there and prove I belong. The next step after this is to make the Senior Tour.”

Did you want to be a MLB player or a golfer growing up?

“To be honest with you right now – if I knew about golf in my younger days, it would have been a 50/50. The game isn’t as popular as it is in the states. There aren’t many kids playing golf in Japan. With Hideki playing well, hopefully that will attract more kids to the game like Ichiro did for baseball.”

How often did you play golf while in the big leagues?

“When I was with Seattle, they encouraged us to play golf. If we had an early tee time, we wouldn’t stay out drinking too long! It’s also a good way to avoid burnout, especially as a bullpen pitcher because you have to be ready every day. It’s tough to think about baseball all the time.”

Ree, Vu Survive Marathon Day

August 10, 2017

Pairings/Results

A day that began with 32 competitors and nine SCGA members standing ended Thursday night with just eight women still in the running to claim the 117th U.S. Women's Amateur. The nine Southern California natives were dwindled down to two, with USC's Robynn Ree of Redondo Beach and UCLA's Lilia Vu of Fountain Valley surviving the morning's Round of 32 and the afternoon's Round of 16 to advance to the Championship's quarterfinals, which will be held Friday afternoon.

In perfect conditions at San Diego CC, which is hosting the Championship for the first time since 1993, Robynn Ree was the story of the Round of 32, defeating her opponent Tze Han Lin of Chinese Taipei 9 and 8, playing the ten holes in 4-under par en route to the dominating victory. The win was the second-largest margin of victory in Championship history. Ree, who had only needed 14 holes to win her Round of 64 match Wednesday, finally found herself in a close match in the afternoon round, needing all of San Diego CC's 18 holes to close out her match against Japan's Karen Miyamoto. The match, which was tied for 12 of its 18 holes of play, was a close battle throughout, with four lead changes and neither competitor ever going more than 1 up. Ree, a rising junior at USC, will square off against Albane Valenzuela of Switzerland at 1:40 p.m. Friday.

“I feel like I'm putting well,” said Ree, who made the field by way of being the first alternate in the U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and found out she was playing in the event on July 29. “I feel like I can read the greens better, and definitely my putting speed is helping me a lot, too, because these greens are difficult.”

For Vu, her nail-biting match occurred in the morning's Round of 32, where she went 18 holes with Sarah Burnham of Minnesota before eventually winning 1 up. After spending the majority of the front nine 1 or 2 down, Vu would win holes 11 and 12 with birdies, taking her first lead since the first hole of the match. Burham would quickly fight back, however, tying things up on the par-4 15th hole with a birdie of her own. She would give the lead right back to Vu two holes later, collecting her third bogey of the match on the 17th hole, giving Vu the 1 up advantage heading into the 402-yard finishing hole.

Needing to win the hole to extend the match, Burnham hit a beautiful approach shot to give herself a good look at birdie, her ball sitting about eight feet from the hole. Vu, on the other hand, would settle for a two-putt par, and opening the door for Burnham to keep herself alive. The putt would slide just to the right of the hole, however, providing Vu the victory and unleashing cheers from the gallery, which included UCLA Head Coach Carrie Forsyth and UCLA rising junior Bethany Wu, who had lost an hour earlier to young phenom Lucy Li, 6 and 5.

Vu will have the opportunity to seek revenge for her teammate when she faces off against 14-year-old Li in the quarterfinals at 1:30 p.m. After the close match Thursday morning, Vu easily took care of her opponent Sarah Rhee of Seattle 6 and 5 in the Round of 16, playing the matches 13 holes in 3-under par.

Southern California stars to advance out of the Round of 32 but fall later that afternoon included Escondido's Haley Moore, 14-year-old Zoe Campos of Valencia and Stephanie Lau of Fullerton.

The quarterfinals can be watched live on FS1 from 3-6 p.m. PT. All eight quarterfinalists are exempt into the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur, which will be conducted Aug. 6-12 at The Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs.

SCGA well-represented as U.S. Women’s Amateur reaches Round of 32

August 09, 2017

Pairings/Results

After sending an impressive ten women past the cut and into the match play portion of the U.S. Women's Amateur here at San Diego CC, the SCGA continued its success on the national stage Wednesday with nine of the ten SoCal stars winning their Round of 64 matches. With just 32 players left in the field, which began with 156 players competing over 36 holes of stroke play earlier this week, golfers from Southern California represent nearly 30 percent of the remaining match play bracket.

After earning the No. 3 seed after an extremely impressive performance in the stroke play portion of the event, Escondido's Haley Moore defeated Latanna Stone of Florida in back and forth match that lasted all 18 holes. After jumping out to an early 2 up lead after three holes of play, Moore, a rising junior at the University of Arizona, would card three straight bogeys to lose her lead and find herself 1 down through five. The disadvantage would slip to as many as 2 down before Moore would win holes 9 and 10 to bring things back to all square.

The two would exchange leads one more time before Moore carded a birdie on the extremely challenging par-4 18th hole, playing today at 402 yards, to win the match 1 up.

“I missed a couple short putts in the beginning, and I just took some breaths and was focusing more on getting it closer to the hole,” said Moore of her thought process walking to the 18th tee all-square with Stone as a gallery of her close friends and family watched. “I just came in there, just hit a good drive and was in between two clubs and just hit a nice easy one and just stuck it pretty close and made birdie.”

Moore, however, was not the only Pac-12 star to find herself in a close match. Andrea Lee of Stanford, who is coming off her second win in three years at the SCGA Women's Amateur Championship, would battle it out with University of Washington's Sarah Rhee in a 18-hole affair that would eventually see Rhee upset Lee. Lee, who currently sits as No. 6 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, was without a lead the entire match, but still managed to keep the pressure on Rhee until the final putt on 18 green. The two college stars matched each other shot for shot for the first seven holes of play, before a big birdie for Rhee on No. 8 gave the Seattle native an advantage. A missed three-foot putt on No. 9 for Lee would keep things that way at the turn.

But Lee battled back, tying things up on the par-4 12th hole with an impressive birdie of her own, draining a 12-footer that brought the match back to even. She would have the chance to take her first lead on two of the next three holes, but struggled with her putter, missing putts of three feet and five feet to head to the 16th hole with the match still all square. Rhee would find her putting stroke again, carding a birdie with a 10-foot putt on No. 16 that she would never relinquish.

The rest of the Southern California contingent would have better Luck that Lee, however, with Robynn Ree of USC cruising past Sabrina Iqbal of Northern California 5 and 4 and UCLA's Bethany Wu (pictured) and Lilia Vu easily taking care of business in their respective matches. Wu will face amateur phenom Lucy Li tomorrow in the Round of 32.

The most impressive SCGA victory of the day though may have come off the clubs of 16-year-old Brooke Seay of San Diego, who already has an impressive summer under her belt after making the cut in July at the U.S. Women's Open. Facing her good friend Rachel Heck, with whom she played a practice round with at the Women's Open, Seay battled back from an early deficit to eventually win the match in 20 holes. Seay will battle fellow SoCal native Stephanie Lau of Fullerton in Thursday morning's action.

Thursday will feature Round of 32 matches in the morning, with Round of 16 matches following in the afternoon. The action can be watched live on FS1 beginning at 12 p.m. PT.

Moore, Lee Advance, But Playoff Steals The Show

August 08, 2017

Pairings/Results

Escondido's Haley Moore finishes stroke play T3, while SCGA Women's Amateur champ Andrea Lee has a big second day to finish T7, but the story of the day at the 117th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship was the two-hole playoff that saw Day 2 action at San Diego CC go 40 minutes past sunset.

With 36 holes of stroke play concluding around 6:45 p.m., 56 women had claimed their spot in the Championship's match play portion, which kicks off Wednesday morning at 9:20 a.m. Leaving eight coveted spots still up for grabs, the eleven women who finished at 6-over par began a playoff that would last well over an hour before being suspended for darkness. With the bonus golf beginning on San Diego CC's par-4 10th hole, only three girls were able to par the challenging hole, which played the third-most difficult during the 36 holes of regulation stroke play over the past two days. That left five spots still up for grabs for eight girls, and with a short, 153-yard par 3 up next, the Championship Committee decided to continue play.

With the sun setting rapidly, the women battled darkness through the hole, with golf carts sporting headlights being brought in to help light the green. At one point, the gallery of spectators brought out their phone flashlights to help light an area for a chip. The result? Tze Han Lin earned her spot in the match play bracket, two women were eliminated, and five will return tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. to play Hole No. 3 of the playoff, San Diego CC's 17th, to determine the last four match play positions.

Luckily for the women from Southern California, none of them had to endure the dramatic playoff. With 22 Southland players in the initial field of 156, ten of them were able to advance past the cut and make the 64-player match play field. Leading the way was Moore, who ended Round 1 tied for the lead after an opening day 5-under par 67. Her 36-hole total of 4-under par grants her the No. 3 seed in the bracket, where she will face a player TBD by the playoff and tee off at 1:20 p.m.

Moore, a rising junior at the University of Arizona who advanced to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Girls’ Junior two weeks ago, had three birdies against four bogeys.

“I knew that there would be bogeys out there with this wind,” said Moore, who tied for second individually in the 2016 NCAA Championship. “I'd tell myself just to stay calm because there's a bunch of holes left. I came back with a birdie [on the par-5 eighth], which probably could have been an eagle, but then just stayed steady after that.”

Fresh off a win at the SCGA Women's Amateur Championship, Andrea Lee, a native of Hermosa Beach and rising sophomore at Stanford, continued her hot play with a two-day total of 2-under par to earn the bracket's No. 9 seed. She will tee off at 10:20 a.m. and face Sarah Rhee of Seattle.

Also advancing to match play are UCLA's Lilia Vu and Bethany Wu, USC's Robynn Ree, and San Diego's own Brooke Seay, who at just 16 years old made the cut earlier this summer in the U.S. Women's Open.

Schedule of Play

Aug. 9 (Wednesday): First round, match play
Aug. 10 (Thursday): Second and third rounds, match play
Aug. 11 (Friday): Quarterfinal round, match play
Aug. 12 (Saturday): Semifinal round, match play
Aug. 13 (Sunday): 36-hole championship final, match play

Television Coverage
The 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur will receive at least 15 hours of live network coverage over five days on FS1, beginning with Wednesday’s Round-of-64 matches. All times PDT.

Aug. 9/Wednesday, 3-6 p.m., Round-of-64 matches
Aug. 10/Thursday, 3-6 p.m., Round-of-16 matches
Aug. 11/Friday, 3-6 p.m., Quarterfinal matches
Aug. 12/Saturday, 4-7 p.m., Semifinal matches
Aug. 13/Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Championship match (afternoon 18)

Moore Shares Lead After U.S. Women’s Amateur Round 1

August 07, 2017

Results

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (Aug. 7, 2017) - Kristen Gillman, the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, and Haley Moore, one of six San Diego County players in the field, each shot 5-under-par 67 Monday to share a 1-stroke lead after the first round of stroke play in the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at the par-72, 6,423-yard San Diego CC.

A rising sophomore at the University of Alabama, Gillman’s first round included three birdies on her first nine holes. Her card was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole, with her only bogey on the par-4 ninth, her final hole.

Gillman, who won the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur in a come-from-behind 2-up victory over Brooke Henderson at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y., doesn’t feel any increased pressure from seeing her picture on signage around the course.

Moore, an 18-year-old rising junior at the University of Arizona from Escondido, Calif., carded eight birdies – the most of the day – to three bogeys. She is coming off of a T13 finish in last week's SCGA Women's Amateur.

“I'm pretty thrilled,” said Moore, who graduated high school a semester early to play for the Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Championship, where she finished runner-up individually. “I started off pretty steady, a couple birdies coming in, and after the front nine I was 3 under. I played pretty steady after a couple bogeys out there, but it happens, so feel good with how I played today.”

Crediting strong iron play as a key to her success, Moore is not the only high-level amateur player in her family. Her brother, Tyler, qualified to play in the 117th U.S. Amateur Championship, which will be played approximately 145 miles north at The Riviera CC and Bel-Air CC in Los Angeles County next week.

Also putting together a solid opening day is UCLA's Bethany Wu, who opened with a round of 1-under par to sit T10. Joining Wu in good position for a match play spot is Fullerton's Stephanie Lau, who shot even par, and Brigitte Dunne of Camarillo, who earned a Top-5 finish in the SCGA Women's Am at San Gabriel CC last week. The reigning SCGA Women's Am Champion Andrea Lee, who currently sits at the No. 6 spot on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, shot a 1-over par 73 today to sit in the event's Top 25.

The U.S. Women’s Amateur consists of 36 holes of stroke play, with the low 64 players advancing to match play, which begins Wednesday. The championship, scheduled to conclude with a 36-hole final on Sunday, is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

The match-play rounds of the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship will be broadcast on FS1 (Fox Sports 1). Coverage will be from 3-6 p.m. PDT Wednesday through Friday, from 4-7 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Exclusive bonus coverage will be streamed live on usga.org on Thursday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

U.S. Women’s Amateur Returns to Southern California

August 04, 2017

Live Scoring

By Julia Pine

For the first time since 1993, the top female amateur golfers in the nation will converge on Southern California next week for the 117th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, as the USGA brings the world's premier female amateur golf competition to San Diego CC. Running from Monday, Aug. 7 - Sunday, Aug. 13, the tournament will begin with 156 competitors playing 36 holes of stroke play over two days before the field is cut to the top 64 players for match play. Five 18-hole rounds of match play will determine the finalists, who will square off in a 36-hole championship match Saturday. The event is free and open to the public. Round 1 tee times can be found here.

Among those set to compete is a strong contingent of Southern California golfers, including recent SCGA Women's Amateur Champion Andrea Lee, who last year lost to eventual champion Eun Jeong Seong in the Round of 16. Lee, a native of Hermosa Beach, was fully exempt into the Championship and currently sits at No. 6 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. In addition to her SCGA victory, which was her second in the event in the last three years, Lee is also coming off of a freshman season in which she collected three individual collegiate titles as well as earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors.

"This SCGA win gives me a lot of confidence," said Lee. "I haven't played a lot of competitive golf this summer, this is only my second event, so winning this really boosts my confidence going into next week. I'm really looking forward to the U.S. Women's Amateur finally being in California and hopefully having some family and friends out there for support."

Other notable SoCal golfers earning exemptions into the U.S. Women's Amateur are fellow Stanford golfer and 2016 Curtis Cup Team member Mika Liu, San Diego's Haley Moore, 16-year-old Brooke Seay of San Diego who recently made the cut in the U.S. Women's Open, UCLA star and 2016 SCGA Women's Amateur Champion Lilia Vu as well as UCLA's Bethany Wu, who in 2015 advanced to the U.S. Women's Amateur semifinals.

For those not exempt, the USGA received more than 1,300 entries into qualifiers, which were held across the country earlier this summer. The SCGA ran two local qualifiers, which sent 14 additional women into the Championship, including Alyya Abdulghany, who will join the USC golf team this Fall. Full results from the Southland qualifiers can be found here. These ladies will look to become the first SCGA member to win the U.S. Women's Amateur since Danielle Kang won two straight titles in 2010 and 2011. In total, 26 players from California are in the field, including six from San Diego County.

Established in 1897 and opened at its current location on Sept. 3, 1921, San Diego CC’s course was designed by William Watson. William P. Bell later completed a project that lengthened the course and added several tees and bunkers. The club also serves as the home course for the men’s golf teams at the University of San Diego and San Diego State University, which since 2011 have co-hosted an intercollegiate tournament at the club. It hosted the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1993, as well as the 1964 U.S. Women's Open, which was won for the fourth and final time by SCGA Hall of Famer Mickey Wright. San Diego CC also hosted the 2013 SCGA Amateur Champion which was won by Beau Hossler.

The U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship is one of the USGA’s original three championships. It was first conducted in 1895, shortly after the inaugural U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open. The Women’s Amateur has been conducted every year since, except 1917-18, when it was suspended due to World War I, and 1942-45, when it was suspended due to World War II.

The most decorated champion is Glenna Collett Vare, a lifelong amateur who won the Cox Trophy a record six times. Second only to Vare is JoAnne Gunderson Carner, who won five U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships. Combined with her two wins in the U.S. Women’s Open and one victory in the U.S. Girls’ Junior, Carner’s eight USGA titles are eclipsed only by Bob Jones and Tiger Woods, who have each won nine.

U.S. Women’s Amateur champions seem to possess a remarkable facility to repeat. Beatrix Hoyt, Alexa Stirling, Vare, Virginia Van Wie and Juli Inkster have all won the U.S. Women’s Amateur three consecutive times. Another seven champions – Genevieve Hecker, Dorothy Campbell, Margaret Curtis, Betty Jameson, Kay Cockerill, Kelli Kuehne and the Southland's Kang – have won two in a row.

The U.S. Women’s Amateur has long identified some of golf’s greatest female players, many of whom have gone on to successful professional careers. Along with the champions listed above, Patty Berg, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Louise Suggs, Marlene Stewart Streit, Anne Quast Sander, Barbara McIntire, Catherine Lacoste, Carol Semple Thompson, Beth Daniel, Morgan Pressel and Lydia Ko have secured a place in golf history.

Schedule of Play

Aug. 7 (Monday): First round, stroke play
Aug. 8 (Tuesday): Second round, stroke play
Aug. 9 (Wednesday): First round, match play
Aug. 10 (Thursday): Second and third rounds, match play
Aug. 11 (Friday): Quarterfinal round, match play
Aug. 12 (Saturday): Semifinal round, match play
Aug. 13 (Sunday): 36-hole championship final, match play

Television Coverage
The 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur will receive at least 15 hours of live network coverage over five days on FS1, beginning with Wednesday’s Round-of-64 matches. All times PDT.

Aug. 9/Wednesday, 3-6 p.m., Round-of-64 matches
Aug. 10/Thursday, 3-6 p.m., Round-of-16 matches
Aug. 11/Friday, 3-6 p.m., Quarterfinal matches
Aug. 12/Saturday, 4-7 p.m., Semifinal matches
Aug. 13/Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Championship match (afternoon 18)

Summer of `17

July 28, 2017

This Summer, Southern California will play host to three of the most prestigious amateur golf tournament in the nation, as the USGA brings the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women's Amateur and The Walker Cup to the Southland.

U.S. Women's Amateur

Aug. 7-13
San Diego CC
Admission is free and open to the public.
Volunteer

U.S. Amateur Championship

Aug. 14-20
Riviera CC & Bel-Air CC

TicketsVolunteer

The Walker Cup

Sept. 9-10
The Los Angeles CC

Tickets

Rich History of U.S. Amateur Awaits New Chapter in 2017

July 24, 2017

Bob Jones will forever be considered the face of the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Jones also will be remembered as the greatest amateur golfer in history, because his 1930 U.S. Amateur title – the record fifth and final time he won the Havemeyer Trophy – capped what many believe is the greatest year in golf history.

In the summer of 1930, the United States was still reeling from the stock market crash of the previous fall that had ushered in the Great Depression. So when Jones won the 1930 U.S. Amateur to complete an unprecedented sweep of that era’s four major championships in the same year – the British Amateur, British Open, U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur – it seemed to lift the spirits of an entire nation.

A gallery estimated at 18,000, the largest in United States Golf Association history at the time, followed and cheered Jones as he made his way around Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, Pa., enroute to an 8-and-7 rout of Eugene Homans in the 36-hole U.S. Amateur final.

The victory made Jones the first and only to win golf’s calendar “Grand Slam” – or “The Impregnable Quadrilateral,” a phrase coined by sports writer O.B. Keeler.

How big were those four titles? A ticker-tape parade in New York welcomed Jones back to the U.S. as a conquering hero after he won the Amateur Championship at St. Andrews and the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, then considered the greatest accomplishment in golf history. When he won the U.S. Open at Interlachen Country Club in Minneapolis to make it three straight majors, the fan frenzy intensified as a crowd of 125,000 honored Jones with a downtown parade in his hometown of Atlanta.

And then he finished it off in style by winning the U.S. Amateur for the fifth time, a mark that still stands – one more than Jerome Travers.

Admittedly exhausted by his pursuit of the Grand Slam, Jones – a lawyer by profession who never turned pro – retired from competitive golf at age 28. Shortly thereafter, he helped Alister MacKenzie design Augusta National Golf Club and then co-founded the Masters Tournament, which evolved into one of golf’s professional majors.

Though the U.S. Amateur lost some of its luster after Jones’ departure from the competition, a number of talented youngsters used it as a springboard to greatness in professional golf.

Arnold Palmer won the 1954 U.S. Amateur, Jack Nicklaus the 1959 U.S. Amateur and Phil Mickelson the 1990 U.S. Amateur before launching their record-breaking careers on the PGA Tour, whose popularity led to the pursuit of a professional Grand Slam of majors: the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and the PGA Championship.

Ben Hogan won three majors in 1953, Palmer won the first two majors in 1960 and Nicklaus won the first two majors in 1972, but that was as close as anyone came to achieving the modern Grand Slam until Tiger Woods – a three-time U.S. Amateur champion – rocketed to stardom upon turning pro in 1996.

In fact, the U.S. Amateur became must-see TV when Tiger reinvigorated the event by becoming the first and only player in history to win three consecutive U.S. Amateurs (1994 through 1996), on the heels of becoming the first and youngest in history to also win three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateurs (1991 through 1993).

In the summer after graduating from Western High School in Anaheim, Woods was 18 years old when he rallied from 6 down in the 36-hole final to defeat Trip Kuehne in the 1994 U.S. Amateur on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. He was the youngest in history to win the event at the time, a distinction that lasted until Danny Lee did it in 2008, six months younger at 18, and then Byeong-Hun An won it at 17 in 2009.

Woods won his second U.S. Amateur in 1995 by beating Buddy Mariucci, 2-up, at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island and then three-peated in 1996 by rallying from 5 down to defeat Steve Scott in a riveting 38-hole match at Pumpkin Ridge in Oregon.

It was a sign of things to come as Woods turned pro that summer and began winning PGA Tour events at a pace never equaled before or since. It wasn’t long before he also revived talk of a possible “Grand Slam” for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Woods actually won four consecutive majors – the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship in 2000 and the Masters in 2001 – an unprecedented feat that was dubbed the “Tiger Slam.” He currently ranks second all-time with 79 PGA Tour victories and second all-time with 14 major victories, to go along with his record six consecutive USGA titles.

Other U.S. Amateur winners who went on to enjoy successful professional careers include Gene Littler (1953), Bob Murphy (1965), Bruce Fleisher (1968), Lanny Wadkins (1970), Craig Stadler (1973), Jerry Pate (1974), John Cook (1978), Mark O’Meara (1979), Hal Sutton (1980), Billy Mayfair (1987), Justin Leonard (1992), Matt Kuchar (1997) and Ryan Moore (2004). Two-time champion Jay Sigel (1982-83) is one of the best amateur golfers of all-time, as he added three U.S. Mid-Amateur titles to his resume before turning pro at the age of 50 to play on the PGA Senior Tour.

Another famous U.S. Amateur champion was Francis Ouimet, who won the title in 1914 and again in 1931. But Ouimet’s life story is better known for what happened in the 1913 U.S. Open – a story that inspired a book and a movie entitled “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”

At the age of 20, Ouimet became the first amateur to win the U.S. Open in history, at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. – across the street from where he lived and where he once caddied. Against all odds, he upset British tour stars Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18-hole playoff while using a 10-year-old neighborhood boy as his caddie.

Because Ouimet was from a working-class family of immigrant parents, his win forever changed golf, which until then had been known as an elitist sport for the wealthy. Some consider him the “Father of American Golf, because there were only 350,000 golfers in the U.S. when he won the 1913 Open – a number that grew to 2 million a decade later.

Interestingly, Ouimet and Jones were two of the four amateurs who won the U.S. Open before they won a U.S. Amateur. The other two were Chick Evans, the first to win both in the same year (1916), and John Goodman, the last amateur to win a major in professional golf: the 1933 U.S. Open at North Shore Country Club outside Chicago. He won the U.S. Amateur four years later.

Who will be the next Francis Ouimet, the next Bobby Jones or the next Tiger Woods? A new star will be born at the 117th U.S. Amateur Championship, which will be contested Aug. 14-20 in Los Angeles at The Riviera Country Club and Bel-Air Country Club.More history waits to be written.

“We look forward to another chapter to be written in U.S. Amateur history as the finest amateur players in the country compete for the coveted title,” said Michael R. Yamaki, Corporate Office of The Riviera Country Club.

Riviera, the site of the 1948 U.S. Open, will host is first U.S. Amateur Championship. Bel-Air, which will serve as the stroke-play co-host, hosted the 1976 U.S. Amateur, won by Bill Sander.

U.S. Amateur tickets are available online at usga.org/usam. Tickets are $20 (single-day grounds) and $75 for a weekly pass. Military personnel and students receive free admission with valid ID.

County of LA, Norwalk Open Don Knabe Golf Center & Junior Academy

July 20, 2017

Photos

Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn and the County's Department of Parks and Recreation officially opened the Don Knabe Golf Center & Junior Academy earlier this week, reopening a facility that had been closed for renovation since December 2015. With the objective of building a community hub and golf center with a specific attraction to juniors, the new center features affordable green fees, a lighted, double-decker driving range, practice area and community center. SCGA Junior has been appointed the primary junior golf program on site.

"I strongly believe in public golf; public golf is the essence of the game, and it will be forever," said Don Knabe, the former L.A. County Fourth District Supervisor who oversaw the initial plans for the facility. "This course in particular will not only cater to juniors, but also senior and beginning golfers."

Putting its money where its mouth is, the Don Knabe GC will offer extremely affordable green fees for the 9-hole, par 3 course. Costs will be just $6.75 on weekdays and $9 on weekends. For juniors, the prices are especially low, with nine holes costing kids just $1.75 on weekdays and $2.25 on weekends. The nine holes on the course range from 50 to 100 yards, and the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art lighting systems that illuminate tee to green to provide playing opportunities throughout the year, day or night.

"We're thrilled to be back in Norwalk with the opportunity to help kids from this community," said Kaycee Wilke, SCGA Junior's director of instruction. "To be able to run golf programming on a kid-friendly course and also have the classroom space to assist other aspects of needs in the community is a unique opportunity for us, and one we plan to take full advantage of."

SCGA Junior will run year-long golf instruction classes for kids ages 5 and older, as well as youth summer camps, golf leagues and clinics. Currently, the junior organization is running a community needs assessment to see what additional programming would be most beneficial to the surrounding area.

A complete overhaul and redesign of the golf course helped transform the former Norwalk Golf Center into Don Knabe's dream facility. Knabe was on hand for the opening, and hit the ceremonial opening tee shot with members of SCGA Junior looking on. "I want to thank SCGA Junior for stepping up to make today a reality," said Knabe. Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn also joined Knabe for the festivities by taking part in the ceremonial first putt alongside kids from the SCGA Junior instruction program.

The Don Knabe GC & Junior Academy marks the 20th L.A. County golf course, making it the nation's largest municipal golf system with more than 300 holes of golf. For more information on SCGA Junior programming at the Norwalk facility, click here.

Road to Riviera

July 20, 2017

The SCGA will host eight U.S. Amateur Championship qualifiers, as some of the finest golfers began their journey to the 2017 U.S. Amateur, set to be held at Riviera CC and Bel-Air CC here in Southern California Aug. 14-20. Three men advance out of each qualifier and will tee it up at the nation's most prestigious amateur tournament. Results from each of the local qualifiers held in Southern California are below.

La Purisima GC - July 13, 2017

Connor Nolan (co-medalist)

Nate Whitson (co-medalist)

Nicholas Engelhardt

Bakersfield CC - July 13, 2017

Wonje Choi (medalist)

Zach Smith

Justin De Los Santos

Hillcrest CC - July 13, 2017

Corey Shaun (co-medalist)

Andrew Levitt (co-medalist)

Danny Ochoa

Oakmont CC - July 13, 2017

Jonathan Kang (medalist)

Clay Feagler

Corby Segal

Crystailer CC - July 18, 2017

Raymond Navis (medalist)

Erik Jarvey

Justin Kim

Bernardo Heights CC - July 24, 2017

Tyler Moore (medalist)

Franklin Huang

Perry Cohen

Mission Viejo CC - July 24, 2017

Derek Castillo

Taehoon Song

Shigetoshi Hasegawa

Western Hills CC - July 24, 2017

Roy Cootes (medalist)

Ricky Castillo

Matt Wilson

Road to San Diego CC

July 10, 2017

The SCGA hosted two U.S. Women's Amateur Qualifiers, as some of the finest golfers began their journey to the 2017 Women's Amateur, which will be held at San Diego Country Club here in Southern California Aug. 7-13. Seven women advanced out of each qualifier and will tee it up at San Diego CC. Results from each of the local qualifiers held in Southern California are below.

Red Hill CC - June 27

Rose Zang (medalist)

Elizabeth Wang

Chia Yen Wu

Briana Chacon

Tze Han Lin

Jiyoon Jang

Han Hsuan Yu

Brentwood CC - July 10

Calista Reyes (medalist)

Alyya Abdulghany

Kailie Vonsaga

Amy Lee

Alana Uriell

Zoe Campos

Tatiana Wijaya

Schauffele Shines In U.S. Open Debut

June 15, 2017

By Garrett Johnston

Xander Schauffele, a San Diego native who has made 10 cuts in 17 PGA TOUR starts this season, became a household name this weekend after he blazed Erin Hills GC to the tune of a championship total 10-under par, securing him a T-5 finish. Schauffele, who won the 2014 California Amateur, chatted with the SCGA after his impressive first round.

Talk about being out there on this stage. What’s it like for those watching at home?

This is my first U.S. Open. I think it's my fifth or sixth USGA event. I'm still trying to see how it goes tonight, but it's just one round. It's a good start.

Talk about the experience. It's one thing to play a first round in a major championship, but to play it so well and come in one off the lead?

Yeah, I was telling my caddie, my team, that I'm slowly starting to feel comfortable at a regular TOUR event. So I tried to shoot this one like a normal event, even though there's a lot going on. I'm trying to keep that mindset. I'm just excited to be here.

What were you feeling when you stepped on the first tee this morning?

Nervous. Walking over I was fine. They announced my name and I was a little more nervous than usual, but I got the first shot out of the way and I was pretty much calm after that.

How did you settle yourself and decide that I'm going to come out and play?

I mean, I qualified for this event. It's not like I was in it already. To me as a rookie you only get a certain amount of starts. For me to qualify for this event it's like a bonus round for me. I have nothing to lose. The better I play it's good on me.

Can you talk about your team and the preparation you put in?

I played two practice rounds with [fellow San Diego native] Charley Hoffman. He's probably the veteran that I'm closest with. Obviously he has a lot of accolades in his career. I hung out with him and his caddie, saw how they prepared for the course and tried to copy it, really. I think he's probably played in close to ten of these.

This is my first one, so I figured copy what they're doing. I've got to be all right.

If you had started today and were told you would shoot 6-under par at the U.S. Open, what would you have said?

I don't know. It's a great question. I'd be very happy, just like I am right now.

How do you prepare for tomorrow?

Oh, this place is more of a mental grind. If you're hitting it well, the fairways are open enough, and it seems like the wind is down for now. But just try to recover, eat and sleep as much as possible.

What about the fan experience? This surely has to be very different than what you've experienced?

Yeah, for sure. Are you talking about the fans out here?

The theater of the event.

Yeah, it it -- I was playing with Trey and Cameron, they're both great guys and no one really knows who we are, which is kind of nice since we're flying under the radar. We're walking one way and Rory and Day and those guys are going the other, so everyone follows them. So it's just kind of like a walk in the park.

I hit a shot to seven feet on one hole and no one clapped. I thought it spun off the green. I thought, man, it's not a bad shot. Even though it's a big stadium, you don't really have a following. Being in this pairing is definitely easier on me.

What's the mindset overnight? Does it help having a quick turnaround?

Probably. I'd rather tee it up tomorrow morning, wake up and get out here and get the day going than sitting around watching what people are doing. And I can kind of set the bar for high myself rather than having people set it for me.

You'll be in a lot of conversations from golf fans. You certainly put yourself on the radar with your performance today. I'm sure people are going to be butchering your name?

Been happening for the last 23 years, so nothing new there.

You've got a buzz going now out there in the golf world. Just talk about how you were able to do that today.

Yeah, I'm sure. I'm a rookie and this is my first time here. I'm sure I'll hear people say let's see if he can keep it up, or he's got game. Both sides of it. I'll try to be me and hopefully that will be good enough.

Young SoCal stars to make U.S. Open debuts

June 13, 2017

It's a bucket list item for most competitive amateur golfers. Qualify for the U.S. Open before you turn professional.

This year, two SCGA members were able to add that feather to their caps, advancing through Sectional Qualifying at Big Canyon CC and Newport Beach CC earlier this month to earn their spot in the Erin Hills field.

Stewart Hagestad: The reigning U.S. Mid-Am champion and low am at the Masters in April played his way into the U.S. Open in front of a home crowd at Big Canyon CC, where he just recently won the club championship. Hagestad is very likely having the best year of any amateur golfer on the planet, and it will continue this week with his U.S. Open debut at Erin Hills. He will tee off at 5:29 a.m. PT Thursday in a group that includes Chez Reavie and Gene Sauers.

Sahith Theegala: Also making his Open debut is Sahith Theegala, who already checked a major item off his bucket list earlier this year when he qualified for the Genesis Open at Riviera CC and made the cut, ending up with a weekend pairing with Phil Mickelson. The Pepperdine star was a quarterfinalist in last year's U.S. Amateur, and helped the Waves advance to the NCAA Championship just last month. He tees off at 6:57 a.m. PT with fellow SoCal native Daniel Miernicki and Tyler Light.

But a U.S. Open debut is also an accomplishment for up-and-coming professionals. The following former SCGA stars will also be teeing it up in an Open for the first time.

Xander Schauffele: After retiring from his amateur career nearly two years ago, now-professional Xander Schauffele will also make his U.S. Open debut at Erin Hills after advancing through Sectional Qualifying in Tennessee. Schauffele, a former California Amateur Championship winner as well as San Diego State grad, tees off at 10:31 a.m. along with Trey Mullinax and Cameron Champ.

Kevin Dougherty: The Murrieta native and former CIF/SCGA Champ was the only professional to earn a qualifying spot from the Newport Beach sites last week. Currently playing on the Mackenzie Tour, Dougherty made his PGA TOUR debut earlier this year at the Genesis Open after securing a spot in Monday Qualifying. He begins Thursday's Round 1 action at 4:45 a.m. PT and plays with Talor Gooch and Jordan Niebrugge.

Amateurs Take Center Stage at U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying - 2017

June 05, 2017

Full Results Photos

The Longest Day in Golf spanned from sunup to sundown, with 10 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifiers being held across the country.

Here in Southern California, 103 players competed for six coveted spots in the 117th U.S. Open at Erin Hills GC. Playing two rounds – one at Big Canyon CC and one across the street at Newport Beach CC – hopeful qualifiers battled championship nerves and fatigue in a true test of golf.

Stewart Hagestad, who is arguably having the best amateur golf year in the nation, was able to highlight a group of five amateurs and one professional in this year’s crop of qualifiers.

The 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion took advantage of his exemption into The Masters by finishing as low amateur at Augusta in April, and continued his hot play in Newport Beach, earning a spot in the year’s second major by putting together two consistent rounds amid immense pressure.

Hagestad fired a two-round total of 135, which included a second round 4-under 68 on Big Canyon CC, a course in which he was crowned club champion a month back. Not to mention his childhood home overlooked the 8th green.

“I don’t think there’s even an argument in terms of people who would know this course better than me,” said Hagestad. “The comfort level is there.”

John Oda’s stellar two-round total of 132 – which included 13 birdies – earned him medalist honors, while Mason Andersen’s 8-under 64 at Big Canyon – the low score of the day on that course – afforded him a cushion to coast into the U.S. Open field. Oda, a member of the UNLV men's golf team, is heading to his first major, as is Andersen, an 18 year old Arizona native who will be heading to Arizona State for his freshman season in the Fall.

Sahith Theegala, the Pepperdine University standout who made his PGA TOUR debut at the Genesis Open at Riviera this past February, plotted around Newport Beach to the tune of an even-par 71 before going ballistic in an impressive second-round 65, which included seven birdies in an eight hole stretch amid strong afternoon winds at Big Canyon.

“After my first round I really didn’t think I had any shot,” said Theegala. “So I decided to just have fun with my roommate and teammate Roy [Cootes] who was on the bag. I was playing free, started to strike it well and just put things together.”

The lone professional to qualify was Kevin Dougherty, who needed an up-and-down on the final hole to secure his spot. The Oklahoma State alum is embracing the opportunity to check in with old hometown friend Rickie Fowler.

“I’m super excited to get out there and meet up with Rickie,” said Dougherty. “I’ll get to pick his brain regarding playing in a major."

It didn't take long for Fowler, who like Dougherty had amateur success in Southern California before turning pro, to shoot his buddy a text. "See you at Erin Hills," he said.

And on a day that first began with five qualifying spots here in Newport, the luckiest man in the field may be Cameron Champ. At 6 a.m. PT, one hour prior to the start of the event, Newport was granted a sixth qualifying spot after withdrawals in Columbus weakened their field. In fitting fashion, as the Longest Day in Golf isn’t complete without a playoff, Cameron Champ fought off a setting sun and Bradon Wu to earn the final spot after a one-hole playoff, draining a 40-foot putt to end the playoff in record time.

All six of the qualifiers will compete in their first ever U.S. Open next week Erin Hills GC.

Road to Erin Hills Ends Monday

June 02, 2017

Pairings/Scoring

The SCGA will host one of the largest Sectional Qualifiers for the U.S. Open on Monday in Newport Beach, as 103 competitors compete for six qualifying spots in this month's U.S. Open, to be played at Erin Hills. Players will each play 18 holes at Big Canyon Country Club and Newport Beach Country Club beginning at 7 a.m. Monday. Notables in the field include:

• Shintaro Ban, 21, of San Jose, Calif., won the 2016 California State Amateur one year after his older brother, Shotaro, accomplished the same feat. Shintaro helped the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) win the 2017 NCAA West Lafayette Regional and Mountain West Conference titles. Ban, an All-West Region and All-MWC selection, competed in the 2013 U.S. Amateur. Shotaro was an All-Pac-12 Conference performer at the University of California-Berkeley.
• Ray Beaufils, 30, of Australia, is a former rugby player who earned conditional status on the Nationwide (now Web.com) Tour in 2010. Beaufils, who resides in Phoenix, Ariz., trained with the Australian Institute of Sport and later appeared on Golf Channel’s “Big Break Greenbrier.” He won the 2013 California State Open with a 4-foot putt on the second playoff hole.
• Charlie Beljan, 32, of Mesa, Ariz., has played in three U.S. Opens, including a tie for 18th in 2015 at Chambers Bay. He started his professional career on the Gateway Tour and earned his PGA Tour card in 2012. Beljan won the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic later that year. In 2002, he claimed the U.S. Junior Amateur title, defeating Zac Reynolds in 20 holes.
• David Berganio Jr., 48, of Granada Hills, Calif., has played in six U.S. Opens. His best finish was a tie for 16th in 1996. Berganio, a two-time U.S. Amateur Public Links champion, advanced to the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 through both qualifying stages and tied for 28th. Berganio, who was a University of Arizona teammate of 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk, was provided his first set of clubs by a local priest.
• Cameron Champ, 21, of Sacramento, Calif., was chosen first-team All-Southeastern Conference and helped Texas A&M University finish second in the 2017 SEC Championship. Champ, a product of The First Tee program, tied for fifth individually at SECs. His father, Jeff, was a catcher at San Diego State University who was selected in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles.
• Sean Crocker, 20, of Long Beach, Calif., earned All-Pac-12 Conference honors, including his second first-team selection, for the third consecutive year. He tied for second at the NCAA Washington Region and led the University of Southern California to the team title. Crocker, who was born in Zimbabwe, learned the game from his father Gary, a professional cricket player. He made it to the 2015 U.S. Amateur semifinals and reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 U.S. Junior Amateur.
• Aaron Dexheimer, 36, of San Diego, Calif., is a commercial salmon fisherman in Alaska during the summer and a caddie at Del Mar Country Club in the winter. He grinded on mini-tours for more than a decade before taking over his father’s fishing operation.
• Allen Geiberger Jr., 29, of Palm Desert, Calif., is the son of Al Geiberger, who played in 20 U.S. Opens and tied for second in 1969 and 1976. Al Geiberger, the 1966 PGA champion, became the first player to shoot 59 in a PGA Tour event, the 1977 Danny Thomas Memphis Classic.
• Paul Goydos, 52, of Coto de Caza, Calif., has competed in 10 U.S. Opens. His best finish was a tie for 12th in 1999 at Pinehurst No. 2. Goydos has two PGA Tour and four PGA Tour Champions wins, including last year’s Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He began his career on mini-tours and supplemented his income as a substitute teacher.
• Stewart Hagestad, 26, of Newport Beach, Calif., won the 2016 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship by defeating Scott Harvey in 37 holes. He produced the largest comeback victory (4 down with 5 holes to play) since a 36-hole Mid-Amateur final was introduced in 2001. Hagestad, the 2016 Metropolitan Golf Association Player of the Year, was the low amateur (tie, 36th) in the 2017 Masters Tournament.
• Max Homa, 26, of Corona del Mar, Calif., is attempting to qualify for his second U.S. Open, having played in 2013 at Merion Golf Club. Homa, an All-American at the University of California-Berkeley and a member of the 2013 USA Walker Cup Team, has won twice on the Web.com Tour. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2010 U.S. Amateur.
• Beau Hossler, 22, of Dallas, Texas, is attempting to qualify for his fourth U.S. Open. He shot a 4-under 68 in the Houston, Texas, local qualifier to advance to sectional play. Hossler, an All-American and two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year at the University of Texas, played in the 2011 U.S. Open at age 16 and tied for 29th in 2012. He has competed in 11 USGA championships and was a member of the 2015 USA Walker Cup Team.
• Cheng Jin, 19, of the People’s Republic of China, earned Pac-12 Conference All-Freshman recognition and helped the University of Southern California win the NCAA Washington Regional. He won the 2015 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and earned an invitation to the 2016 Masters, where he missed the cut. He has played in two U.S. Amateurs and three U.S. Junior Amateurs.
• Jake Knapp, 23, of Costa Mesa, Calif., competed in the 2015 U.S. Open after qualifying through the local and sectional levels. Knapp, who played at UCLA, was the medalist in the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada Q-School at San Jacinto, Calif., in March. He shot a 61 at Newport Beach Country Club in 2012 U.S. Open local qualifying. Knapp reached the Round of 16 in the 2015 U.S. Amateur.
• Edwin Kuang, 15, of Murrieta, Calif., was the second-youngest competitor in last year’s U.S. Amateur Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club. He shot a 69 to earn co-medalist honors in U.S. Open local qualifying at Andalusia Country Club, in La Quinta, Calif. Kuang is a sophomore on the Murrieta Valley High School team.
• Gregor Main, 27, of Danville, Calif., advanced to his first U.S. Open through both local and sectional qualifying last year. Main, a third-team All-American at UCLA, was the stroke-play medalist in the 2011 U.S. Amateur at Erin Hills.
• Scott McCarron, 51, of La Quinta, Calif., spent four years working in the family clothing business after playing as a collegian at UCLA. He returned to golf in 1992 and won three times on the PGA Tour. He later worked for Golf Channel and Fox as a broadcaster. He has won three PGA Tour Champions events since June 2016. McCarron has played in six U.S. Opens.
• Collin Morikawa, 20, of La Canada Flintridge, Calif., was chosen All-Pac-12 Conference first team for the second consecutive year as a sophomore on the University of California-Berkeley team. Morikawa, who won last year’s Sunnehanna Amateur, was the 2016 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. He tied for sixth in the 2017 Pac-12 Championship.
• Danny Ochoa, 22, of Carlsbad, Calif., miscalculated a jump on his motocross bike eight years ago and broke his humerus bone after his bike landed on top of him. Two metal rods were placed in his left arm, and he was looking at a year of recovery. Ochoa, who is a fifth-year senior on the University of Southern California team, returned in seven months and later placed fifth at the 2010 Callaway Junior World Golf Championships.
• Josh Sedeno, 19, of Roseville, Calif., is a redshirt freshman on the University of Alabama team. He helped the Crimson Tide tie for third in the NCAA Washington Regional. Sedeno competed in the 2014 and 2015 U.S. Junior Amateurs and was the runner-up to Shotaro Ban in the 104th California State Amateur. Sedeno’s family can trace its roots to the original native Hawaiians.
• Justin Suh, 19, of San Jose, Calif., helped the University of Southern California win the NCAA Washington Regional. Suh, a sophomore, was selected All-Pac-12 Conference first team. He qualified for the U.S. Open and advanced to match play in the U.S. Amateur last year. Suh reached match play in four consecutive U.S. Junior Amateurs, from 2011-14. His sister, Hannah, played in the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open.
• Jonah Texeira, 21, of Los Angeles, Calif., advanced to the semifinals of the 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship, losing to Brad Dalke, 3 and 2. Texeira, a junior on the University of Southern California team, helped the Trojans win this year’s NCAA Washington Regional. He earned All-Pac-12 Conference honors for the second consecutive year. His sister, Keana, is a pop singer.
• Sahith Theegala, 19, of Chino Hills, Calif., reached the quarterfinals of the 2016 U.S. Amateur, losing to eventual champion Curtis Luck, 2 up. Theegala, a sophomore on the Pepperdine University squad, was chosen West Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year and earned first-team All-WCC honors for the second consecutive year in 2017. In February, Theegala won the Collegiate Showcase to earn a spot in the PGA Tour’s Genesis Open and went on to tie for 49th.
• Duffy Waldorf, 54, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., has competed in 13 U.S. Opens, including a tie for ninth in 1994 at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. He has won four PGA Tour events and twice on PGA Tour Champions. He received his nickname Duffy from his grandparents. He tagged along on the golf course and they called him “Little Duffer.”
• Brandon Wu, 20, of Scarsdale, N.Y., shot a 9-under-par 63 in U.S. Open local qualifying at Yocha Dehe Golf Club, in Brooks, Calif. Wu, a sophomore on the Stanford University team, made 10 birdies with one bogey and was medalist by five strokes. He was born in Danville, Calif., but lived in Beijing for five years. He was a second-team All-Pac-12 Conference selection and a teammate of Maverick McNealy, the 2016 Mark H. McCormack Medal recipient.

Judy Anderson, Lynne Haraway To Join Southern California Golf Association’s Board of Directors

May 15, 2017

STUDIO CITY, CALIF. (MAY. 15, 2017) – Judy Anderson, a retired physical therapist and member of Bakersfield Country Club, and Lynne Haraway, a retired retail and transportation industry executive and member of Porter Valley Country Club, have been selected to join the Southern California Golf Association’s Board of Directors effective July 1, when the unification with the Women’s Southern California Golf Association becomes official. Both members of the WSCGA’s Board of Directors, Anderson and Haraway were elected to the SCGA Board at the Association’s May Board Meeting.

“Having spent time with both Judy and Lynne, I know I speak for the rest of the SCGA leadership in saying that both women will be valuable assets to the SCGA,” said SCGA Executive Director Kevin Heaney. “Along with their experience guiding women’s golf in Southern California, both are passionate golfers who can assist the SCGA with its mission to promote and advance amateur golf in our region. We are thrilled to welcome them to our board.”

Anderson, 63, has volunteered time to the golf community since 2006, when she started a high school girls golf clinic in Bakersfield. A golfer and member of the WSCGA since 1991, Anderson joined the WSCGA Board of Directors in 2014 and assumed the role of president in 2017, where she helped oversee the process and member club vote to unify with the SCGA. In addition to her spot on the SCGA board, Anderson will also serve as the co-chair of the Transition Committee in conjunction with the unification.

“Organizations like the WSCGA and SCGA have a longstanding tradition of supporting the game and providing consistent value to those who enjoy it,” said Anderson. “I have enjoyed my service to the game and very much appreciate the opportunity to work with members of the SCGA community moving forward.”

Anderson, who worked as CFO and administrative business partner of Glinn & Giordano Physical Therapy for more than a decade, is a graduate of Kansas State University, where she received a B.S. in secondary education with a minor in athletic training while lettering in three different sports. She is a former member of Rio Bravo Country Club, where she served as president, and has been a member of Bakersfield Country Club since 2015.

Haraway, 66, spent 32 years in the retail and transportation industries, holding senior positions responsible for purchasing, operations and business development with DFS, one of the world’s largest duty free and specialty retailers. She also served as principal vice president of Bechtel’s aviation group, providing leadership in worldwide strategic development for their aviation business. In addition, she served as chairperson for Airports Council International (ACI) Associates North America and ACI Associates Pacific region, and was as a key player for American Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and other industry organizations. Haraway is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Haraway joined the WSCGA board in January 2017. As a member of Porter Valley Country Club, Haraway has served as president of the Auxiliary Ladies Group, and has spent time volunteering for a number of Southern California golf events, including the PowerShares QQQ Championship and the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship qualifiers. Along with her place on the Board, Haraway will also join the SCGA’s Transition, Strategic Planning and Facility Planning Committees.

“I believe that golf is a sport for all ages, sexes and abilities,” said Haraway. “It is a game that can be played throughout one’s entire life and has helped me as a woman in business as well as retirement. My passion is to promote golf through women and kids. Both segments are integral to the future of golf, and I look forward to helping the SCGA continue to lead and invest in these demographics, as well as the entire Southern California golf community.”

Anderson and Haraway’s additions will bring the total number of SCGA board members to 16, three of whom are female. With the WSCGA’s July 1 unification into the SCGA, the Association’s total female membership will be more than 30,000, representing one of the largest groups of female golfers in the nation.

Road to Erin Hills

May 08, 2017

Local Qualifying

The SCGA hosted nine U.S. Open Local qualifiers in May, as some of the finest golfers began their journey to the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. Five men advanced out of each local qualifier and will tee it up at Sectional Qualifying June 5. Results from each of the local qualifiers held in Southern California are below.

Indian Ridge CC - May 8

• Adam Navigato (a) (medalist)
• Matt Lutz (a)
• Justin Suh (a)
• Andrew Levitt (a)
• Alex Chiarella

TPC Valencia - May 8

• Benjamin Lein (medalist)
• Jeremy Sanders
• Collin Wheeler
• John Kim
• Cole Madey (a)

Andalusia CC - May 9

• Edwin Kuang (a) (co-medalist)
• Matt Picanso (co-medalist)
• Max Homa
• Tommy Mansuwan
• Anthony Paolucci

La Costa - May 10

• Tyler McCumber (medalist)
• Aaron Dexheimer
• Colin Featherstone
• Danny Ochoa (a)
• Gin Kim

Bermuda Dunes CC - May 10

• David Berganio Jr. (co-medalist)
• Kurt Kitayama (co-medalist)
• Allen Geiberger Jr. (co-medalist)
• Kevin Dougherty
• Alex Hird

La Purisima - May 10

• Manav Shah (medalist)
• Matt Hansen
• Joseph Crawford Jr.
• Paul Imondi
• Rory Doll

Industry Hills GC - May 10

• Connor Brown (a) (co-medalist)
• Tain Lee (co-medalist)
• Cavin McCall
• Michael Sharkey (a)
• Ryan Carter

Classic Club - May 15

• Dalan Refioglu (medalist)
• Patrick Murphy (a)
• Samuel Engel
• Jamie Cheatham (a)
• Chris Gilman

Ironwood CC - May 16

• Jake Knapp (medalist)
• Christopher Evans
• Charles Reiter (a)
• Christopher Tuulik (a)
• Michael Block

Coachella Valley hosts Grow The Game symposium

May 08, 2017

By Matt McKay

How can we grow the game of golf?

Speed it up.

Make it cheaper.

Stop being snooty.

Get more women and juniors to play.

Those were the basic findings at the American Outreach Foundation Grow the Game of Golf Symposium, held Saturday, May 5 at Thunderbird CC in Rancho Mirage. The symposium, organized by American Outreach Foundation and featuring some of the valley’s top golf names, was convened to generate instantly implementable ideas to expand the game’s reach, encourage involvement and increase player retention.

The symposium featured a distinguished panel, consisting of former LPGA Tour standouts Liselotte Neumann and Donna Caponi; former LPGA Tour Commissioner and business advisor to Arnold Palmer, Charlie Mechem; architect Clive Clark; and 11-time PGA TOUR winner and SCGA Hall of Famer Al Geiberger. The audience included some of golf’s top executives and minds, including ANA Inspiration Tournament Director Gabe Codding, 19-time LPGA Tour winner and Mission Hills CC instructor Sandra Palmer and former Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Ridge, all engaged in an interactive suggestion-fest. Yet no matter what was discussed, or tweak offered, a vast majority of remedies were forwarded to counter golf’s three great hurdles: time, accessibility, intimidation.

Individual transportation units such as the “GolfBoard” and golf bikes, “ready golf” concepts and spin-offs such as Footgolf and Speed Golf were brought up. However, while GolfBoards and Speed Golf might not seem related, they are both “pace of play” fixes. The creation of golf course “loops,” offering players the option of three, six, nine, 12 or 18 holes, re-legitimizing the concept of playing nine holes, and a nine-hole green fee, were also suggested. As varied as the ideas were, they could all be traced to the root problem - golf’s lingering pace-of-play issue/the five-hour, 18-hole round - a turn-off to those with a short-attention span, an impossibility for anyone with a tight work and family schedule.

Others proposed ways golf could become friendlier, or made less “stuffy.” Consideration was given to relaxing some course and clubhouse rules, and to clubhouse employees being more welcoming and engaging, ideas which might encourage more beginners to hang in there. Some beginners fear being scolded by veteran players for what newbies perceive to be minor etiquette violations, said one theorist. Some recommended expanding or creating group play, with events consisting of players with similar abilities. These ideas were clearly intended to deal with the intimidation some feel when deciding to give the game a try, and how facilities and teachers can overcome or minimize it.

Lastly, the seemingly-eternal struggle for affordable, accessible play for those outside the country club structure (including resident juniors) was addressed frequently. The Coachella Valley has always been a “second home” golf market, where members stay and play seasonally at high-end clubs. Consequently, some valley residents simply stow their clubs from January-April, waiting for the inevitable heat to drive part-timers away and green fees down. Resident juniors participate in The First Tee of the Coachella Valley’s programs, the SCGA Junior Golf Pass program or resort to hitting balls and taking lessons to sharpen their game. All because of limited access to a great majority of golf courses in the area, and the prohibitive cost of many others.

The group was nearly unanimous in its belief that juniors and women provide the greatest opportunity to grow the game, at least in the short run. Participants also realized these groups were particularly susceptible to the game’s three biggest deterrents. Mothers - particularly working mothers - find it difficult to carve out time for 18 holes, what with the working and the child care and the kids’ activities, not to mention that husband. Intimidation is also a problem; learning to play in a world structured by and for men (and too often, devoid of women), makes for a less-than-comfortable learning environment.

Problems need solutions, and the group isolated several which could be quickly employed. Rather than build a new junior program from scratch, attendees were encouraged to contact SCGA Junior and The First Tee of the Coachella Valley to find out what they could do for the existing organizations. Clubs could sort teeing grounds for handicap ranges (example: handicap 4 or less, Back Tee; handicap 4-10, gold tee, etc.), and allow juniors to play free starting tomorrow. Golf staffs could immediately begin proactively, aggressively and kindly educating golfers on time-saving “ready golf” tips, such as replacing a club when drawing a club for the next shot, or logging scores on the next tee. In short order, courses or clubs could host more “fun” based programs for beginners and juniors, where everyone learns and plays together, to reduce intimidation. And, incorporating more technologies and social media options into a round, such as on-course applications, could be a fast and easy way to engage Millennials.

When the meeting adjourned, participants left with a renewed passion to generate involvement, and ways to go about it. They also vowed to convene next year for the same purpose.

Debunking Your Sunscreen Myths

May 03, 2017

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and golfers are a prime segment that needs to be cautious about protecting themselves from the sun because of how much time they spend outdoors. The easiest way to do that is by using sunscreen effectively and efficiently, so with our friends at SKIN Sunscreen, the official sunscreen of the SCGA, we put together this list debunking sunscreen myths. Enjoy, and don’t forget to use that sunscreen!

A little sunscreen will last me all day

The general principle is to reapply every three hours. With each application, you should use enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass.

I just need to put sunscreen on my face, arms, legs, back and neck

Wait! You may be missing some key areas. The ears are often neglected, and are a common place for skin cancer to show its ugly face. Also, if you’re not wearing a hat, your scalp is an easy place to get burned. Lastly, don’t forget your lips! Many companies, like SKIN, offer lip balms with SPF.

It’s not sunny so I don’t have to

When it is cloudy, there are still lots of UV rays. In fact, 70 to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can reach earth on a cloudy day. Don’t assume that because it’s not sunny there is little risk of sun damage!

I had sun damage to my skin at a young age, so it doesn’t matter any more

Revamping your sun habits at any age is a good idea. It’s the same as smoking cigarettes, no matter how much damage you’ve done, it’s always good to stop. While it’s true that melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is more closely linked to childhood sunburns, “it’s cumulative sun exposure that’s associated with other skin cancers, not to mention wrinkles, thinning skin, dark spots, and ‘broken’ capillary veins on the skin,” says Jessica Wu, MD, Los Angeles dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at USC School of Medicine according to rd.com.

Anything above SPF 15 is a waste

Many experts agree that there are in fact differences between SPF 15, 30 and 50. What matters most is how you apply it! Use enough, and use it often enough.

The greasiness effects my grip on the club

Some sunscreens can do that, but companies like SKIN, that are made for golfers and athletes, are able to provide sunscreens that won’t leave your hands sticky or greasy. Look for words like non-greasy or oil-free on the bottle!

"SKIN Sunscreen purposely removed all oils from the active ingredients during formulation in order to provide a non-greasy product which will not interfere with the golf grip or run into your eyes while sweating," said Jessica Folino, general manager of SKIN.

It looks too white on my skin

Try a different sunscreen! If the look of it is important to you, than shop around until you find a sunscreen that doesn’t have you feeling like an uncomfortable Casper The Ghost! Many brands of sunscreen rub in quickly and easily, or have a clear spray to use in the first place!

All I need to protect myself is sunscreen

Sunscreen is great, but it can only do so much. Here are a few other tips to help protect yourself from the sun:

- Wear clothing! A number of companies sell clothing with UV protection. Different types of clothes provide different levels of protection. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants cover the most skin and are the most protective. Darker colors generally provide more protection than lighter colors. Remember … if you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through too. Be aware that covering up doesn't block out all UV rays. A typical T-shirt worn in the summer usually protects you about as much as Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 8!

- Wear a hat

- Wear sunglasses that block UV Rays. Long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes can increase your chances of developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage

- Seek shade whenever possible. Umbrellas are not just for rainy days, they can provide shade out on the golf course

- Hydrate

SKIN Sunscreen can be purchased at your local golf shop, as well as online at skinsunscreen.com. SCGA members save 10% when using coupon code, “SCGA10” at checkout.

SKIN: The Official Sunscreen of the SCGA

April 25, 2017

A product that is for golfers and created by golfers, SKIN Sunscreen serves as a top player’s choice for sun protection.

There are more cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year than breast, colon, prostate and lung cancer combined. It’s estimated that 1.6 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year, but companies like SKIN are here to help.

SKIN Sunscreen was formulated specifically for the golfer and their environment, providing users with a non-greasy, sweat resistant formula that won’t run into your eyes.

“I’ve been in the golf industry for 20 years,” said Jessica Folino, general manager/partner of SKIN. “I was a buyer at many different golf clubs and had a hard time finding sunscreen to bring into the pro shop that wasn’t greasy.”

An age-old problem of dealing with a slippery grip after application, SKIN has solved that issue and provided a formula that eliminates slipperiness for golfers across the country. The SPF30+ sunscreen contains a healthy combination of Zinc and Titanium Dioxide, along with being water resistant.

“A golfer doesn’t want to wash their hands after applying sunscreen,” said Folino. “So we removed all the oils from the active ingredients to create a non-greasy product that still provides a protective barrier on the skin..”

Owned and operated by two women, Folino along with her trusted confidant Michelle Hollman have made it their goal to educate, prevent and protect the golfer from sun damage.

A retired dermatologic surgeon’s medical assistant, Hollman has seen firsthand the destruction of the body’s largest organ. Hollman’s son was diagnosed with skin cancer at age 15 and her husband suffered from carcinoma. Fortunately, both cases were excised, leaving Hollman with a renewed mission to prevent future diagnoses.

Folino and Hollman launched SKIN Sunscreen in January of 2016 after working with a manufacturer in Azusa, Calif. to perfect the lotion formulation.

“We saw a need for this higher end product in the market,” said Folino. “We are building a network of golf consumers by focusing on PGA professionals at the grassroots level.”

SKIN has built a status on the PGA TOUR, as resident TOUR representative Ron Graham travels to 42 events throughout the year distributing samples in the locker rooms and practice range while tracking player usage throughout each event.

“We’ve gained a presence on TOUR,” said Folino. “It’s ideal for our marketing without having to pay the players. Anyone who is using it, chooses to use it, we’re not paying them as a sponsor.”

The results have been outstanding, as professional and casual players alike can attest to the benefits of the product.

“The oxybenzone free lotion provides many benefits that are unique to our products,” said Folino. “Golfers of all kinds have given us a positive response. It’s all about the formula and the team we’ve built here.”

The SKIN Sunscreen team of Folino and Hollman is small, simple, and yet extremely passionate in purpose – just like their product line.

Offering only seven products, SKIN aims to provide a superior sunscreen product in place of a wide-ranging variety of product choices.

The line includes three sizes of lotion formula (including a sample size), a new SPF50 continuous spray, 1-liter sport pump and a 1-gallon sport pump options as well as lip balm.

“Golf is our market,” said Folino. “SKIN is a product we believe in and our growing customer base speaks to the effectiveness of our vision.”

SKIN Sunscreen can be purchased at your local golf shop, as well as online at skinsunscreen.com. SCGA members save 10% when using coupon code, “SCGA10” at checkout.

Women’s Southern California Golf Association and the Southern California Golf Association To Unify

April 24, 2017

STUDIO CITY AND SAN DIMAS, CA — A unified Southern California golf landscape with significantly increased resources and member services for all golfers will result from the announcement today that the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and the Women’s Southern California Golf Association (WSCGA) will combine, effective July 1, 2017. On that date, the unified SCGA will strengthen its influential position as Southern California’s premier golf association.

Unanimously approved by both associations’ Boards of Directors, the SCGA and WSCGA unification will provide greater resources, advocacy, programming and services to the largest number of the region’s female golf clubs, as well as its individual member golfers. The unified SCGA will incorporate the WSCGA’s major championships, and WSCGA members will maintain their existing handicap number. In addition, the WSCGA Foundation will unify with the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, which provides instructional programs, education scholarships and affordable access to the game of golf for more than 5,000 kids annually.

Serving the needs of the Southern California golf community are at the forefront of the SCGA and WSCGA’s shared vision and commitment. The consolidation marks the uniting of two associations that have – for more than 200-years combined – served as Southern California golf’s preeminent advocates. The 145,000-member SCGA currently represents the majority of Southern California club-aligned golfers – including more than 8,000 female members – a number that will grow to an estimated 30,000 women golfers when the WSCGA’s members transition into full SCGA membership on July 1.

“This is a great opportunity for WSCGA members to benefit from the combined strengths of both organizations,” said Deb Long, WSCGA interim executive director. “Our members will continue to receive many of the same services and as well as a significant increase in benefits and programming. As a result of this unification, the game our members love will be better positioned to meet future challenges and advance women’s golf in the region,” she added,

“The SCGA has long cherished its close working relationship with the WSCGA, and this unification opportunity allows us to combine the synergies of our member service strengths to better serve Southern California golf and, as a whole, benefit everyone who enjoys this great game,” said Kevin Heaney, executive director of the SCGA. “Our unification means better representation, increased member programs and benefits, advocacy and other major advantages for the entire Southern California golf community. We look forward to welcoming all WSCGA members in July.”

With the WSCGA’s nearly unanimous member club vote, the SCGA will incorporate the WSCGA’s 190 clubs and 22,000 members, bringing the SCGA’s July 1, 2017 representation totals to 1,428 member clubs and 167,000 individual memberships – making the SCGA one of the largest golf associations in the nation.

The WSCGA’s full-time employees will be given the opportunity to join the SCGA’s 28-member staff to help drive membership initiatives, deliver member services and to accommodate increased staffing demands. From an association governance perspective, two WSCGA representatives will join the SCGA board of directors. WSCGA Foundation Trustee Nikki Gatch currently serves as a SCGA director. WSCGA volunteers will also be incorporated into standing SCGA Rules, Course Rating and other SCGA committees.

In advance of the formal July 2017 unification, WSCGA members have the opportunity to participate in the SCGA’s popular Member Outing program, Member Advantage course of the month discount program and 9-hole Summer Series casual golf events. Starting July 1, SCGA members formerly with the WSCGA will receive the SCGA’s award-winning FORE magazine, the digital publication FORE Her dedicated to issues and interests of female golfers, as well as the full suite of SCGA member benefits.

ABOUT THE SCGA

The Southern California Golf Association is devoted to providing all Southland golfers with the best experience possible. Its primary goal is to enhance the enjoyment of the game for those who actively live the golf lifestyle or have just learned to swing a club. Advocating on behalf of our community of passionate golfers, the SCGA provides accessible and affordable opportunities for anyone looking to be involved with the game. Whether crowning champions at amateur tournaments or providing a Handicap Index to track a golfer’s progress, the SCGA is committed to providing exceptional service to its members.

In addition to providing a host of member services, including access and preferred pricing at some of the area’s top courses, the SCGA administers the USGA Handicap System and conducts major amateur golf tournaments in the region. SCGA Junior, the Association’s charitable arm, actively promotes opportunities for area youth through golf access, scholarships, mentoring and skills development.

ABOUT THE WSCGA

The purpose of the Women's Southern California Golf Association is to promote and foster interest in women's amateur golf through friendly organized competition. Founded in 1922, the WSCGA has grown to 190 clubs and 22,000 individual members throughout Southern California. The WSCGA provides rules officials for CIF and state amateur events, administers the USGA Handicap System for its members, measures and rates the women’s tees for the region’s golf courses and supports the game golf in general.

Marlin Metcalf: One of a Kind

April 18, 2017

By Ray Eason

I play golf four days a week with a legendary man, Marlin J. Metcalf, who I, and everyone that knows Marlin, believes is one of a kind.

On June 6th, 1944, Marlin was with the 82nd Airborne and parachuted into Normandy, France. That in its self is extraordinary. But like TV hucksters say, " But wait there is more!"

Marlin spends his winters in Thousand Palms, California and golfs at Tri Palms Golf Club and that is where I met him about 7 years ago. When I learned that he was 87 years old, I was skeptical that he was consistently posting scores under his age and I managed to join his golfing group where I witnessed his incredible golfing ability. Now Marlin is 94 years old and his handicap has risen to a 21 from a 17 this year, but he still plays golf six days a week, and conservatively he will have a score less than his age three or four of those days.

Typically after a game, we head directly to the bar to pay our bets, have a couple of drinks, smoke a cigar and tell stories. Recently, someone on the patio asked, “Marlin how many times have you shot under your age?”

Marlin prefaced his answer by first telling us that he plays more than 280 games per year both in California and Montana, and has done so for a very long time. And in that very long time he has posted "thousands" of games that were equal or less than his age.

When I first started playing golf with Marlin, I witnessed some great shots. For example, there was a low flying shot that he rebounded off a three-foot brick wall because he was stymied by trees blocking his path to our 16th green. After that game and while at the bar, I told him that I recognized above average talent and I had Marlin tell me about his golfing history which began at age nine in 1931. His best handicap was zero. His best and first game at Tri Palms GC was about 10 years ago when he scored six under for a 64.

My golf group job is to book two tee times on Saturdays. Often my golfing friends will ask, “Is room for my visiting son or grandchild? And if so, please put him in Marlin's group so he could watch Marlin kick his butt.”

Two (or three) years ago, Marlin garnered the ire of a foursome on our 3rd hole who complained that he hit into them from the tee. That group was 245 yards out from the tee box!

Those days are pretty much over now, but it is not uncommon for Marlin to hit a 200-yard tee shot and be beyond some of his "junior" fellow players. And Marlin will say, "Sonny, you are away."

So, I am a 71-year-old guy playing golf someone that is 23 years my senior and often takes my money!

Every year when I leave Canada to come down here for winter, my first thought is, I hope Marlin is well.

Young Professionals of Golf Marketing are out to unite the industry

April 03, 2017

A common knock on today’s millennial generation is that they’re lazy, narcissistic and self-centered. While there’s never smoke without fire, one unique group of golf industry professionals are doing their best to rid that stigma, operating with a goal to “build relationships, make friends and grow the game.”

The Young Professionals of Golf Marketing (YPOGM) is a San Diego-based group of 20 and 30-somethings who happen to all work in golf and are passionate about innovation in their field.

A brainchild of Christina Lumsden, marketing manager at Carlsbad Golf Center, the group formed after talking with colleagues Lauren Milner, digital marketing coordinator for Linksoul & Goat Hill Park and Max Reinhardt, marketing manager at St. Mark GC.

“Max, Lauren and I had all worked together on projects before, so we’d just meet up and talk golf,” said Lumsden. “I’ve been around golf my whole life and have seen the relationships that get built through the game. I noticed the disconnect between the new up-and-coming professionals, compared to generations past. So, why be on an island?”

With that, the trio set sail to find a wide-ranging conglomerate of professionals with talents in different areas. The results have been prosperous.

“Everyone who we’ve recruited has a different set of skills and certain areas that they excel in,” said Lumsden. “We work together to promote one another because in the end, if more people are playing the game, everyone profits.”

The YPOGM recently held their fifth official gathering at The Quartyard in downtown San Diego. Equipped with a golf simulator provided by Street Swings, craft beer and food trucks, it was an event tailor-made for the millennial generation. After a few swings, a couple sips and a taco or eight, the group settled in on a set of picnic tables to talk shop.

The goal of each meeting is to have a topic or theme and then provide a featured speaker to engage the group. At this event, representatives from Morton Golf, an award-winning golf course operation and retail company, were the headline act and led a dynamic group discussion on micro marketing, blogging and customer engagement through social media.

Among the attentive and ever-growing group of attendees were representatives from Kemper Sports, COBRA PUMA Golf, PGA Magazine, The Crossings at Carlsbad, High Heel Golfer, Golf Range Magazine, Goat Hill Park, the SCGA and even an M.B.A. student from San Diego State.

“Everyone here is a seasoned golf professional,” said Lumsden. “We’ve been around the block. We all are eager to learn from each other and have some fun along the way.”

Fun will be on the calendar in the coming months, as Lumsden has some unique ideas for future hangouts.

“We want to do some research and development,” said Lumsden. “Bring out friends that have barely played or have never played before.”

Once they’re out on the range hitting balls, the idea would be to gather information on why they don’t play, or if they would play if something was different.

“We’re always looking for new ways to think outside of the box,” said Lumsden. “As marketers, we want to know why people aren’t playing and what we can do about it. Best case scenario is we can tie that event into our next meeting for our group to see first-hand and interact in-person.”

Past Champ Sandra Gal and San Diego Native Beth Allen Ready For Kia Classic

March 13, 2017

The SCGA recently caught up with Kia Classic past champ Sandra Gal and San Diego native Beth Allen at Media Day. Two of the LPGA's most intriguing players look to kick off 2017 with solid performances at Aviara GC March 21-26.

Where does this golf course rank among the others you play throughout the year?

Sandra Gal: I think it’s one of the most beautiful. I love coming back here every year. From a difficulty perspective, it’s sneaky tricky. You have to have good spin control as a lot of the greens get soft. There are very subtle breaks on the greens and a ton of challenging tee shots too. It definitely ranks in the upper echelon of courses we play.

This is your first time back at the Kia Classic since 2010. Can you speak to the differences in your game between now and then?

Beth Allen: I was pretty young when I qualified the first time around and it was a difficult time for me as my dad passed away that year. Shortly after, the opportunity came to head over to Europe to play for a while, and that changed my life. I’m so glad I spent as much time as I did over there. Now the transition back to playing in the states will be interesting. That being said, coming back to San Diego is the perfect place to start because my mother and brother still live here so it’s a homely feel. The last time I played in Southern California was 2008, so all my family is super excited to come follow me around!

Since you first joined the Tour, can you speak to the evolution of the LPGA these past ten years?

SG: I feel very lucky to be a part of this. Every year I see such enormous growth. We have competitions that are getting deeper and increasing in quality. It’s amazing to be a part of this growth and it's great to see women in sports getting closer to the men every year.

Your father was the San Diego city golf manager. You obviously spent a lot of time growing up and playing courses in the area. What was his influence?

BA: Interestingly, he didn’t push me to play golf. I actually didn’t start playing until I was 15 years old. When I did finally start, he was obviously really excited but kept his hands off and let me teach myself at first. Once I started to improve, he was happy to step in for guidance. I was really lucky to have him in my life for so long. I really appreciate golf because of him and I’m grateful for that.

You're back on the Solheim Cup team this year and you'll be playing for Annika Sorrenstam. What's that going to be like having her as a captain?

SG: Well, we already had a team practice together. We played some holes and then split up into teams for a bunch of team sports that raised camaraderie. Annika is really on top of things, everything she does is 150 percent. She’s also super organized and putting a lot of effort into this so I'm beyond excited for this summer.

You had quite the season in 2016. How will you look to build on that momentum?

BA: It was the best year of my life. I also got married, so that helps. I’ve taken the road less traveled or never traveled for that matter, as far as American golfers go. Even though I'm coming back to the states for competitive purposes, I’m still planning to live in Europe and compete over there as well. I'm happy to be back here in Southern California for my 'welcome back' tournament, surrounded my friends and family.

Want to see Sandra and Beth and the rest of the world's best in San Diego? Click here to purchase tickets.

ANA Junior Inspiration names 2017 field

March 06, 2017

A group of female golfers earned their way into the ANA Junior Inspiration, a premier amateur event held at Mission Hills CC on Mar. 25-26. The winner of this event receives the final playing spot in the ANA Inspiration, the LPGA’s first Major championship of the season. An event that has previously been run by SCGA Junior, the ANA Junior Inspiration has been revamped for 2017 to extend its reach beyond Southern California.

The field is made up of 40 of the best junior girls from around the world who qualified through the new ANA Priority Mileage Points system. The first 11 girls in the field earned their spot by way of topping their Gateway City points list. Here in Los Angeles, that spot was earned by Alyaa Abdulghany, who easily topped the SoCal category. Abdulghany (pictured) is an active member of SCGA Junior, and was recently featured in the SCGA's FORE magazine.

Southern California girls to qualify also include:

Elizabeth Wang, Karah Sanford, Rose Zhang, Brianna Navarrosa, Kornkamol Sukaree and Kailie Vongsaga, who have all catapulted themselves into the ranks of the world’s best junior amateurs. The event, which is now run by AJGA, has also expanded from 18 holes to 54, and will be contested on two courses over two days.

The event that has traditionally been an 18-hole event on the Arnold Palmer Course at Mission Hills CC. This year, on day one, participants will play 36 holes on the Pete Dye Challenge Course. On day two, they'll play alongside LPGA legends on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, just days before the course is transformed for the professionals.

Read more about this exciting opportunity for our girls and watch defending ANA Inspiration champion Lydia Ko get these amateurs excited about the event here!

The Community Links Vision: An Alternative for Success

March 01, 2017

by Andy Staples, Owner, Staples Golf Design

America’s Municipalities have been actively searching for ways to improve their golf facilities. Whether it’s the hope an investment will one day show an ROI, or to support golf course staff, or to even appease a small group of avid golfers, the traditional mentality of investing into an asset that loses money is an uphill battle. Many times, the stakeholders over these facilities are faced with providing mission critical services to their communities; not surprisingly the golf course is a lower priority than emergency services, schools, etc.

Our experience with Municipalities however allows us to assert that when a facility has a clear vision supported by sustainable business practices and broad community engagement, the golf course can be one of the highest used and most appreciated assets offered. This, when coupled with golf’s inherent values of healthy living, being outdoors, and lively recreation, allows for visions of a thriving community assets that appeal to 100% of the community; we call this vision Community Links.

Municipal golf began around the turn of the 20th century, when the impacts of the second Industrial Revolution (1870-1914) were being felt across America. Park planning visionaries such as Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York’s Central Park in the 1850’s, were advocating for urban greenspaces and their importance in providing quality of life for working class Americans.

As demand for public parks increased, so too did the popularity of a curious new game from Scotland. This novel game of “golf” was played outdoors across large open landscapes, and provided healthy recreation in the same manner as strolling a trail or hillside, while providing a bit of friendly competition. As it were, to promote golf in the same vein of park planning was an easy case to make.

Notably, Municipal roots in golf were focused on providing a service, much like a library or community park; not to make money, but to provide an amenity. As more time passed however, Municipal facilities slowly “lost their way,” and began adopting the Daily Fee facility model of providing the “higher end” experience historically reserved for private clubs, in search of profit. So while the intent of the Daily Fee facility was to make money, the original intent of the Municipal facility was to allow access to the beginner, the casual player, and the budget conscious golfer.

Over the past 25 years, the one area of the golf market originally intended to allow access for everyone further declined, while the “member for the day” facilities increased. Courses became longer and more difficult, daily maintenance expectations increased, and a “one size fits all” mentality began to take hold, along with the ever increasing pressures to perform financially. Currently, this is the model most Municipal facilities find themselves in, and it’s nowhere near as great as the glory days of golf’s boom.

Community Links was created to not only invigorate Municipal golf facilities, but to revitalize lack-luster and struggling communities through the valuable characteristics of the game of golf. Important to note here, is that not all communities are the same, nor all their golf facilities face the same issues. Two examples of non-traditional thinking, would be Rockwind Community Links in Hobbs, NM and the emerging plans for Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo.

Take Rockwind Community Links; it was once a rundown Municipal facility whose lack of golfer participation was largely due its deteriorated condition. Flash forward to 2017, 18 months after its reopening, and Rockwind is a thriving facility with overwhelming appeal toward 100% of its community. Results include increased revenue due to an increase of rounds, an increase of total spending per user, and increased use by non-golfers due to the introduction of a pedestrian/ biking trail, various auxiliary event spaces, and a communal gathering area around a manmade lake.

Second is the still evolving plan for the County of San Luis Obispo’s course, Dairy Creek. This course’s lack of golfer participation can be credited toward a significant reduction in water availability, resulting in less than ideal playing conditions. With the implementation of Community Links Vision however, this future facility is focused on repurposing the property to integrate the golf course into the fabric of the overall park, creating additional revenue sources that reflect the future trends of society as a whole.

The opportunity to innovate for Municipal facilities has never been more warranted than now. In today’s uncertain golf environment, Municipal golf should take the necessary steps to diversify in ways stakeholders haven’t even begun to imagine, creating new, exciting solutions in the process. Through the appropriate assessments and a focus for delivering the highest and best use of the facility for the community at large, increased pride and sound, sustainable business practices will result, and it all begins with a bit of non-traditional thinking.

Learn more about Staple's Community Links vision, read the whitepaper.

See a video case study of Staple's Community Links featured by the USGA.

The Great Drought: Rest in Peace?

March 01, 2017

by Craig Kessler, Director of Government Affair, SCGA

Dams are bursting. Rivers are overflowing. Precipitation records are falling. Does this mean that the Governor and his State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) will soon be calling off the “drought emergency?”

Maybe. But even if the SWRCB calls off the emergency it won’t call off efforts to enshrine certain aspects of the emergency into permanent law and regulation, nor will the agency shrink from effectuating the five initiatives contained in its recent “Resolution on Climate Change.” The State Department of Water Resources won’t call off efforts to strengthen the state’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. And the state legislature won’t desist from efforts to continue doing for outdoor irrigation what California accomplished so magnificently for indoor irrigation in a previous era.

No matter this one year’s precipitation, there are just certain facts about California’s water situation that are, well, facts. Under the best of circumstances and the wettest of years, there are more water rights in the state than there is water to fill them. Groundwater basins in the Central Valley, Central Coast, Ventura County, and Anza Borrego Desert remain severely depleted; one year of rain does not replenish aquifers. Current surface storage capacity (aka dams) is maxed out; there is little point to adding to California’s stock of dams if there is rarely enough rain and snow melt to fill them. The state’s climate is measurably warmer, presaging earlier and less efficient snow melts as well as higher evapotranspiration rates. And the population is going nowhere but up.

Those “facts” require not just that we continue to ramp up conservation efforts in general, but greater outdoor irrigation efficiency in particular. They also require that the state begin to look beyond traditional dams if we want to increase storage capacity – things such as storm water capture, groundwater replenishment, and increased recycling capacity. These things cost money to build and maintain, costs that can be larded onto ratepayers or spread more evenly through a combination of taxes and bonded indebtedness. Guess which avenue suits the industry’s interest.

Yes; the great drought is over. Yes; that means that we are relieved of mandatory cutbacks for the moment. Yes; that means we aren’t facing even more draconian cutbacks, something that was very much in the cards had we not been deluged this year. And yes; that means the industry gets a breather to deal with some of the issues it put off to deal with the drought.

But no; that hardly means that the industry can desist from its 20-year plus effort to keep reducing its water footprint. Indeed, the time to ratchet up that effort is now. Just as the deluge has given the golf industry respite to deal with some of its other pressing issues, it gives the conservation and policy managers of the state’s public utilities respite to deal with us. The time to rework ordinances and policies, incorporate lessons learned, and develop closer working relationships with regulators is precisely when the snowpack is rich and the dams are filled.

The late great political writer for the Los Angeles News Group, Rick Orlov, had a saying that applies: “It’s never over” – Three simple words that ring especially true when the subject is the relationship between golf and water.