The event aimed to bring together SCGA Junior participants and elite amateur and professional players in a unique experience that marked the kickoff of the 124th SCGA Amateur Championship, which is the second longest, continuously contested amateur championship in the country with a star studded list of past champions that includes Tiger Woods, Beau Hossler, Patrick Cantlay and Sahith Theegala.

The afternoon included a lively Q&A session with Michael Block, PGA, skills demonstrations and an alternate-shot competition. One of the featured coaches who was also a participant in the championship, Greyson Leach, ended up winning the SCGA Amateur later in the week, setting the all-time scoring record (-21) in the process. It was a memorable and engaging experience for over 40 young juniors and a community builder for the SCGA. For a complete photo gallery, please click here. For a video recap of the day, please click here.

Through this partnership, Cisco generously donated 280 Wednesday practice round tickets along with 130 parking passes and 200 food vouchers, enabling the young golfers and their families to witness firsthand the pinnacle of professional golf.

Recognizing the importance of investing in the future of golf, PGA Tour pro Keith Mitchell also made an appearance for a meet-and-greet with juniors, complete with autographs and photos.

The partnership between the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation, Cisco and the USGA showcased the collective commitment to creating a lifelong love for golf. By providing access to one of golf’s greatest events and facilitating meaningful interactions with professional golfers, this collaboration left a lasting impact on the juniors, ensuring they remain active in the game for years to come.

Clubs, gear, tickets and hanging out with @K_m_Mitchell!

With @Cisco and @thescga Foundation, we made dreams come true for juniors this year at the #USOpen. pic.twitter.com/FbjY0WJYyR

— USGA (@USGA) June 15, 2023

Momoka has grown through her experience in PYD, shooting her lowest round of 75 last month. She continues to work hard on her game and introduce others to the sport she loves by starting her middle school golf team with the support of SCGA Junior.

How has SCGA Junior impacted you?

The SCGA Junior program has helped improve my golf skills. But on top of that, it has taught me many things about leadership and friendship. It’s also given me many amazing opportunities, such as watching professional golfers playing on local courses, and I can’t thank SCGA enough.

What inspired you to start a golf club at your middle school?

I started a Japanese club in 6th grade, and this year, I started a golf club at my school, Portola Highly Gifted Magnet, because I want to make more friends who enjoy playing golf together. Coach Lauren Fesler offered golf clinics for my club, and I am very thankful for her. 

What has volunteering for Girls Golf meant to you?

My dream when I become a professional golfer is that I want to start my own golf school. I think golf is an amazing sport, and I want more kids to love the game. Volunteering for Girls Golf is the beginning of that dream. I am very happy to see children, especially young girls, enjoying golf. 

Why is diversity and representation important in golf?

Golf is a sport that anyone can play – no matter their race – and everyone has a fair chance at competing. If Asian people like me can become role models to more juniors, it will encourage kids to go after their dreams.

How important is it to you to have a community of golfers and coaches that look like you?

It’s very important because seeing the similarity between yourself and someone successful makes you think, “Oh, someone that looks like me did this amazing thing. That must mean I can also do it!” And I feel that is the mindset that encourages children to push themselves harder to get to their goal.

What is your favorite family tradition?

There is a festival in Japanese culture called “Hinamatsuri” (Girls’ Day), and on that day, we always cook Chirashizushi. My mother learned the recipe from her mother, and I love it.

What is your favorite part of playing golf?

Ethan: My favorite part is being able to practice with my brother Matthew, who is autistic.

Matthew: Being able to focus and hit the ball. Focusing has always been a challenge for me but playing golf has helped my apply myself better in school.

What is your best SCGA Junior memory?

Ethan: Going to Game Days with my brother and encouraging him throughout the day.

Matthew: When I hit the ball far during a driving range session with Coach T!

Why do you like SCGA Junior?

Matthew: I like going to SCGA Junior events because I wanted to try a new sport and now I realized how much I enjoy it!

Favorite golfer:

Ethan: My favorite golfer is my little brother. He has some challenges, but he doesn’t let this interfere with playing golf and trying his best.

Any hidden talents?

Matthew: I don’t call it a talent, but my superpower. My SUPERPOWER is that I’m AUTISTIC! I have a vast and creative imagination and this makes me unqiue.

What is your favorite part about playing golf and why?

Sunnie: My favorite part of playing golf is meeting new people. It’s always fun to meet and introduce myself to different types of people.

Lily: My favorite part about playing golf is that I make new friends with different kids every time I join a class. I also love the sound the golf club makes when it comes in contact with the ball. It’s very soothing.

What is your favorite thing about SCGA Junior?

Sunnie: With the SCGA Junior golf program, I have made so many new friends and met so many different people who also have an interest in golf. I love how we play fun golf games, but we are still improving and learning more about this amazing sport. The coaches are awesome.

Lily: I always love SCGA Junior and the Girls Golf program. I have so much fun when I’m with that group! All of my friends in the classes are always kind and we bond quickly. The coaches are always kind and helpful to me to learn to adjust my golf swing. The games we play are always fun. SCGA Junior lessons always consist of laughter and joy.

Favorite food:

Sunnie: Sashimi and curry chicken

Lily: Somewhere in the pizza and ice cream category

Other hobbies:

Sunnie: Swimming, and I am on a swim team

Lily: I’m on the swim team. At school, sometimes I play basketball with the boys, and I sometimes play handball and soccer at recess.

How long have you been with SCGA Junior?

I’ve been with SCGA Junior for just a few months.

What is your favorite golf course?

My favorite course is Roosevelt Executive GC because it’s challenging and it’s big so I can use all my clubs. I can see deer eating while I play, as well as gophers and coyotes. It’s great!

What is your favorite thing about golf?

My favorite part about playing golf is how I’m able to be outside exercising, breathing fresh air and having fun. I love to play with my Dad and making pars.

What is your best SCGA Junior memory?

My best memory is on the last day of Spring Session, I got to play Whittier Narrows GC with my classmates. Another memory is when I won tickets to the U.S. Open. It was such a blast! I got to see Bryson, Rory, Rahm, Wolff and DG in person.

Why do you like SCGA Junior?

I like to go to SCGA Junior events because it’s so much fun. I get to learn new things about the game of golf, I get to meet new people and I get to spend time with the best coach ever, Coach Stephanie!

Favorite golfers:

Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Severiano Bellesteros

Hobbies:

Drawing, painting and I’m trying to learn to play the piano

How long have your been with SCGA Junior?

I’ve been with SCGA Junior for about four years.

What’s your favorite course?

My favorite course is Rustic Canyon GC because it has wide open fairways and I love links style courses.

Why do you love golf?

My favorite part about playing golf is spending quality time with my dad and having fun with my friends.

What is your favorite SCGA Junior memory?

My best SCGA Junior memory is when I played a scramble round with my dad at an SCGA Junior event.

Why do you like SCGA Junior events?

I love coming to SCGA Junior events because it allows me to meet new people, practice my golf game at different courses and learn from my coaches.

Favorite golfer:

Tiger Woods

Other hobbies:

Drawing and raising animals

Any hidden talents?

Cooking! I like cooking from scratch and trying new recipes.

How long have you been with SCGA Junior?

I’ve been with the SCGA Junior since I was 7 years old so about eight years now.

What is your favorite golf course and why?

My favorite course is Wilshire CC because I was invited when I was 11, and its was a great experience and I played some of my best golf with six birdies. We also had a caddy!

 What is your favorite part about golf?

My favorite part about playing golf is the social aspect, the community, family and friends you make and the opportunities it opens for kids like me and my friends.

Best SCGA Junior memory?

I have so many, however one stands out a little more than the others. When I had a closest-to-the-pin contest at Pico Rivera GC with one of my favorite coaches, and and we kept going back and forth because we would both get so close.

Why do you like coming to SCGA Junior events?

SCGA Junior events are very fun, welcoming, family friendly, competitive and teach juniors like me things about being on and off the golf course.

Favorite golfer?

Favorite golfer by far is Tiger Woods, but currently I love Dustin Johnson too.

Other hobbies?

I game, draw, dance, give back to the homeless, and  tutor

Favorite sport other than golf?

Basketball

Any hidden talents?

I can dance, play most sports, and I’m a good writer 

How long have you been with SCGA Junior?

I have been with the SCGA Junior program for over ten years. I began the program when it was established at Pico Rivera and Norwalk.  

What is your favorite course and why?

My favorite golf course is Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon. The Champions Course is fun and challenging. I love the wide open fairways but the greens make for a tough shot. My favorite hole is #9 which is a par 5. I got a birdie on that hole on my first outing at the course and that was one of my favorite moments. 

What is your favorite part about playing golf and why?

My favorite part of playing golf is the new friends that I make when I play a round. Whether it’s a fun nine holes, or an enduring two-day tournament, it’s always fun to meet a new people and learn about them and where they come from. 

Best SCGA Junior memory?

My favorite memory was when I was invited to watch the LPGA tournament with my SCGA Junior friends. I had the opportunity to work alongside with the staff at the scoring table to see how each players’ scores are verified after a round. The staff members were so nice and the LPGA players made all of us feel so welcome. 

Why do you like coming to SCGA Junior events?

SCGA Junior is my second family. I only have a little brother and my cousins all live so far away so it is nice to come to my classes and outings and have other kids to hang out with. I’ve grown up with the program and they all feel like my brothers, sisters or cousins. The coaches are also so supportive that I feel like they are a part of my family.   

Favorite golfer or athlete?

Michelle Wie West

Other hobbies?

Playing the piano and doing volunteer work with the National Charity League of Whittier. I spend my time delivering Meals on Wheels with my mom, making blankets for the hospital and helping sort donations at the Women’s Crisis Center just to name a few things. 

Favorite sport other than golf?

I like to watch basketball. I grew up watching my dad play and I would go to his games every weekend. We also love to watch the Laker games together as a family. 

Any other hidden talents?

I am skilled at writing and producing my own stories. I love to draft narratives of science fiction and read horror books for ideas. 

How long have you been with SCGA Junior?

I have been with SCGA junior approximately one year

What is your favorite course and why? 

My favorite course is Bell Gardens, because the greens are super small, so it’s hard to chip onto the green.  

What is your favorite part about playing golf and why?

I like chipping. I don’t really know why.  

Best SCGA Junior memory?

My first class, because it was exciting to try something new, and all of the people were really nice.  

Why do you like coming to SCGA Junior events?

Everyone is super helpful and nice. The games are fun to play. It’s also fun to meet new people.  

Favorite golfer or athlete?

Brooke Henderson 

Other hobbies?

Horseback riding and swimming.

Favorite sport other than golf?

Tennis  and skiing 

Any other hidden talents?

I like to bake.