Now a retired aerospace engineer, as a child Lindley experienced everything the game has to offer – from competition, to summer jobs, life lessons and everything in between.

“Golf can be a central theme that can affect many other areas of a young person’s life,” Lindley said. “That appeals to me because it has shaped so many things that have happened to me and the experiences I’ve had.”

Lindley picked up golf at a young age and developed a passion, and skill, that allowed him to play at USC. He played in a handful of SCGA championships, including the 1975 SCGA Amateur Championship at Wilshire CC, before trying his hand at a professional golf career. He even spent one summer working for a man who retrieved golf balls out of lakes.

Having received so much from the game of golf, Lindley decided it was time to give back. Lindley is a Change Maker, a donor who gives an automatic, monthly gift in support of the Foundation.

“This is a multi-dimensional charity,” Lindley said. “As opposed to other choices to contribute money, the fact that golf can spread and affect many aspects of people lives just by starting with this one thing means my dollars are going farther.”

The Foundation’s programming has been proven to have a positive effect on the social, emotional, relationship and cognitive-behavioral skills of a child in research with the Claremont Graduate University. And that’s in addition to increasing their golf skill.

What starts with golf leads to so much more.

The Foundation champions affordable access through its Golf Pass, with $1-$5 green and range fees at more than 150 SoCal courses, so that all juniors can afford to play the sport. In high-impact instructional classes through the Player & Youth Development program, the Foundation intentionally works with underserved communities to increase diversity and equity within the game. This program connects kids with coaches who are local role models, often program alumni. The Foundation’s support doesn’t end when a kid packs up their clubs though, through the scholarship program, $165,000 is awarded annually to young adults pursuing their dreams through higher education.

Lindley gets it. That’s why he supports the Foundation.

“Leveraging golf to other parts of life can lead to so many other things, even outside of and beyond golf,” he said.

Being a Change Maker is easy for Lindley. With the automatic payment, there’s no worry that he’ll forget to make his gift, and since he knows he’s giving a certain amount every year, a monthly gift gives the Foundation a constant stream of revenue.

“I can’t think of a better place to put some of your money than into the Foundation if golf has had a positive impact on your life,” Lindley said. “Imagine the impact golf can have on someone who hasn’t had the same advantages and opportunities as we have.”

At the end of the day, it’s the same game everybody is playing. And it’s easy to fall in love with it when you’re given a chance to hit the ball… really far.

If you’d like to join Brian as a Change Maker for as little as $9 a month, click here.

That’s the case for the SCGA’s Assistant Director of Championships and Golf Operations Matt Pawlak. Having worked at the Association for 16 years, Pawlak has seen junior golfers turn into avid players as adults, thanks in part to the support of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation.

“The overall health of golf is dependent on us paying it forward and investing in the future of the game,” Pawlak said. “It ensures that people are playing golf at the next level by introducing them to the game and investing in them.”

Through the Foundation’s programming, which includes affordable access to more than 150 SoCal courses and high-impact, positive youth development courses in underserved communities, junior golfers learn more than just how to swing a club. They learn life lessons.

“Everything that the Foundation teaches with character development, knowing the rules, life skills, in addition to learning how to play golf, are important for our communities,” Pawlak said.

These life lessons really stick out for someone who is a parent of school-aged children. With programming open to juniors ages 5 – 17, and college scholarship opportunities beyond that, the Foundation serves as a one-stop shop for everything a child needs to get into the game of golf. For a parent like Pawlak, the opportunity to get his kids playing sports is critical.

“Especially today, as a parent you get so worried with your kid being stuck to the computer or TV or phone,” Pawlak said. “Sports offers them a chance to get out, get fresh air, exercise, interact with people and make friends. Golf introduces them to such a diverse array of people from every age, gender, ethnicity. It’s a sport that everyone can play.”

Pawlak’s belief in the work of the Foundation is so strong that he is a Change Maker, meaning he gives a monthly donation to support the future of the Foundation.

“There are so many amazing things to give money and resources to, but golf is a lifelong game and these investments are changing people for their entire lives,” he said. “The Foundation captures all the good that is within the game and the people that it’s affecting have shown time and time again that the money is being invested in kids that turn into great citizens, great golfers and great adults.”

With his monthly donation, Pawlak knows that even a little adds up to make a big difference. With the automatic payments, it also makes it easy to make an impact.

“When you set up automatic payments it ensures stability for the Foundation by allowing for more accurate budgeting and knowing that money is coming in,” Pawlak said. “By becoming a Change Maker, you ensure that giving back to the Foundation isn’t pushed to the back of your paycheck – it makes it a priority.”

The Foundation serves more than 6,000 junior golfers annually, helping create a pipeline of the next generation. Who knows when you’ll be paired with an SCGA Junior member in your next round. Maybe it will even be because of your gift that they’re there.

If you’d like to join Matt as a Change Maker for as little as $9 a month, click here.

Now, with one daughter a full-time employee, and one a scholarship recipient they’ve been Change Makers for three years and have no intention of slowing down.

“It’s important for us to give our monthly donation so we can make sure other kids will have the same or better opportunities than our kids had,” Marco said. “We give back because we’ve seen first-hand the benefits of the program. We want to give the same opportunities to other families that were given to us.”

The Gonzalez girls initially got involved because of the affordable local access that allowed them to practice and play daily for $5 or less. As they continued to get more involved, the benefits began to multiply.

The girls were selected because of their character and dedication to the game to participate in Mentor Play Days, invitation-only events where juniors play exclusive courses and spend a day networking with a mentor.

“So many kids in our community don’t know what’s outside of Norwalk, or South Park or wherever they live, but this opens their eyes and allows them to think, ‘I can be somebody and I can do something with my life,’ and I know that because it happened to my girls,” Marco said.

If you’d like to make an impact for junior golfers by becoming a Change Maker, click here.

Both Stephanie and Natalie earned college scholarships and played golf at their respective universities: Texas A&M International University and Whittier College. The scholarship allowed them to attend the schools they wanted to, not just the schools they could have otherwise afforded.

“Because of SCGA Junior my kids had the opportunity to attend college, become better golfers and become better individual people,” Marco said. “It was a great financial help. They still would have gone to college, but because of the scholarship, Stephanie was able to go out of state and Natalie was able to attend a private school, which we wouldn’t have been able to afford.”

The Gonzalez family takes every chance they get to express their gratitude.

“Oh my gosh, golf and SCGA Junior have meant just about everything to us,” Rosie said. “We’re so grateful for this sport.”

Together, they have frequented SCGA Junior events as participants, volunteers and employees. They’ve fundraised in annual events, they’ve advocated in the community and they’ve never stopped giving back.

Stephanie was recently hired to continue teaching golf and working in the same community where she grew up.

“SCGA Junior has helped me so much financially and professionally,” Stephanie said. “I became a scholar and it helped not only myself, but my whole family. I also got my first ‘big girl job’ with SCGA Junior.”

Natalie continues to work part-time as a coach and mentor while she’s in school, frequently attending girls-specific outings and leading on-course playing opportunities for all juniors.

“SCGA Junior has helped me so much socially,” Natalie said. “I was so shy and quiet when I was younger. I would keep to myself and hide behind Steph whenever we were golfing. This program has helped me come out of my comfort zone. Especially when I’m teaching little kids, where I have to talk a lot and talk with their parents.”

Like his daughters, Marco loves being out in the field volunteering with junior golfers on top of his monthly donation.

“It just makes me feel great that I can see the growth of the kids when I volunteer,” Marco said. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing than being out here with the kids making sure things run smoothly, and they are safe while they are out enjoying the game.”

But of course, he knows that his donation helps pay the bills. Even a small contribution made monthly, adds up and Marco knows, it changes lives.

“Without the monthly donation of Change Makers, this program wouldn’t be as successful as it is right now,” Marco said. “You can tell by looking at where the kids who have been in this program have gone; it enhances their golf skills but also their life skills.”

If you’d like to join Marco and Rosie as Change Makers and make a difference for junior golfers, click here.

The first award is the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation’s John Argue Founder’s Award, which is given to an organization or individual that has made a significant contribution to the Foundation’s mission.

This year, the award is given to one of the Foundation’s most ardent supporters, Friends of Golf. Friends of Golf, which was founded by SCGA Hall of Fame member and golf legend Eddie Merrins, is a critical funder and partner to several organizations including college, high school and junior programs. Their support of the Foundation dates back more than ten years, but most critically was their seed funding in 2015 that helped launch the Player and Youth Development program. Now five years later, they continue to be an ongoing and impactful partner to the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation.

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 and continues to grow and serve more and more youth. Last year, the Foundation served more than 1,600 juniors through the PYD program, with 77 percent being minority golfers and 37 percent being female golfers. With an emphasis on high-impact golf programming that focuses on positive youth development, juniors are being mentored by local coaches and role models and learning life lessons, all thanks to Friends of Golf and their belief in this effort.

John C. Hoffman, President of Friends of Golf, received the award on behalf of the organization.

“I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation for choosing FOG as this year’s recipient of the Argue Award,” Hoffman said. “Friends of Golf is so proud to partner with SCGA Junior in introducing golf and all that the great game has to offer to underserved youth.”

This award was established to honor SCGA Foundation Founder and former SCGA President, John C. Argue. Mr. Argue, a leading civic figure in Southern California for several decades, was most notable for his efforts in bringing the 1984 Olympic Games to Los Angeles. Through the combination of his leadership and community commitment, proceeds from the 1983 PGA Championship established the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation.   

The second award is the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation President’s Award. This award is given annually to an outstanding volunteer or SCGA club that significantly furthers the mission of the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation.  

This year, the award is presented to long-time volunteer, Rebecca Ramirez.

Rebecca first got involved with the Foundation as a volunteer in 2014, when her son Phillip was a program participant at Pico Rivera GC. Paying it forward runs in the family, as Phillip is now a coach in the same community.

As a volunteer and member of the parent committee in our Southeast Los Angeles community, Rebecca tirelessly works on local fundraising projects. She most recently served as the chair of last year’s helicopter ball drop fundraiser, which raised more than four thousand dollars for local programming.

She is an advocate for our program by recruiting new families and volunteers, spreading the word to community stakeholders and connecting us with local organizations and individuals. Ultimately, she has been the eyes, the ears, and the voice for the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation throughout our community.

“The game has given so many young people confidence, courage and respect,” Ramirez said. “Going to the courses in our community has been so fulfilling and rewarding and I love to share the work that we do with everyone I talk to.”

The work of both Friends of Golf and Rebecca has been critical to the Foundation’s success for several years. Again, the Foundation expresses its gratitude for these long-time supporters and the belief they have in the Foundation’s mission.

To see past award winners, please click here.

The donation is completely optional and up to the discretion of each individual member.

First introduced in 2018, the portal giving program has made a huge impact on the Foundation. Already adopted by 125 SCGA clubs, the portal has raised nearly $17,000 for local programming.

For one club, South Bay Pub Links, turning the portal giving option on for their members was a no-brainer said their Club President and co-founder Lew Murez. The club has consistently been one of the most successful at raising money through the option.

“The impact that supporting junior golf has had on our members has been really positive,” Murez said. “Getting a large number of people to understand the value of having juniors involved is even better for the big picture.”

South Bay Pub Links has made supporting junior golf a cornerstone of their club’s mission. Murez emphasized the importance of having a club that was open to men, women and junior golfers and has kept good on that. Many junior members of his club are also members of the SCGA Junior Golf Club, which includes access to $1-$5 green and range fees at more than 150 Southern California courses through the Golf Pass program.

Murez believes that the access and support that the Foundation provides for young golfers is critical to their development as individuals and for the future of the game.

“Exposing juniors to clubs and organized golf teaches them to be future leaders and makes them want to stay involved with golf in the way of the clubs,” Murez said. “SCGA Junior is a part of that and shows them the value of a local club.”

Murez knows first-hand how impactful the Foundation can be. His daughter, Marni, was a member of the SCGA Junior Golf Club for years before earning a college scholarship through the Foundation. She played golf at Santa Clara University and graduated in 2020.

“People aren’t aware of how brutally expensive junior golf is, especially for competitive players between travel and tournament fees and everything else,” Murez said. “We’ve all gotten a lot out of golf and we should do something to invest in the future and that lies with junior golf.”

From the Foundation’s perspective, the support of SCGA clubs like South Bay Pub Links and so many others, is game-changing.

“We’re so thrilled that the portal giving program has been embraced by SCGA clubs,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director, Kevin Gigax. “Without the support of these clubs, we wouldn’t be making the impact that we are today.”

For South Bay Pub Links, portal giving is an easy, efficient way to make a difference.

“Juniors are the future of the game and your club,” Murez said. “Making a donation is strictly optional. It’s up to your members if they want to do it or not, but all clubs should find some way to support the Foundation.”

If you’d like to turn on portal giving for your club or learn about other ways to get involved and support the Foundation, please email Kevin Gigax.

If your club doesn’t use the SCGA’s Online Commerce Portal but would like to sign up, please email Jeremy Pitt.

“My junior golf experience was great, and I wish I could have had more of it,” Coates said. “I didn’t have a lot of financial support as a kid to do things like that. I worked while I was in high school and when it came to golf, I was funding what I could do.”  

While playing golf at Mission Viejo High School, Coates was exposed to a level of competition that not many high schoolers are. Mark O’Meara, yes, the Masters Champion, was a teammate of Coates’.

After seeing a recent video featuring O’Meara, Coates says that he was reminded of how much fun he had as a junior golfer and how important that time in his life was for his personal development.

“There are kids who have ability and desire who may not have the financial backing and if you can give back it’s important to do so because they need it more than you do,” Coates said.

Coates is a Change Maker, meaning that he makes an automatic, monthly gift to the Foundation. Because of the support of Change Makers like Coates, no child is ever turned away. Financial aid is available for every program that the Foundation offers.

Last year, more than 21 percent of juniors in the Foundation’s Player & Youth Development program received at least 20 percent financial aid.

As Coates was reminiscing on his best junior golf memories, he realized that winning wasn’t the most important thing, (though he did enjoy watching O’Meara do it) but really it was the lessons of golf that can be carried through life.

Having now carved out a successful business of his own, Coates is dedicated to giving junior golfers the freedom to pursue golf that he didn’t have.

“When it comes to supporting junior golfers in today’s world, sports teach kids a lot, but the only sport that really teaches a number of things on an individual basis is golf,” Coates said. “It’s not a team sport and it teaches you kindness, respect, honesty, courage, sportsmanship… It teaches a young person a lot of things that will go a long way in their life.”

Coates says that his support of the Foundation has brought him joy on his own trips to the course when he sees junior golfers playing and practicing.

“It’s fun to support the kids and when you see them on the range having fun, it makes me smile,” Coates said. “It’s really important to get kids involved in golf and help them along the way. It helps the future.”

Plus, now he has the same bag tag as Mark O’Meara.

If you’d like to join Bill as a Change Maker and receive the same bag tag as Mark O’Meara, click here.