How did you decide to get involved with the SCGA Foundation? I was introduced to the Youth on Course (YoC) program by Mike McMonegal, L.A. County Jr Golf Program Director & Assistant Golf Director. Mike recommended the program to me as a way to reduce practice and playing costs for my son and his high school golf team. When I discovered my son's high school home course, Alondra, was not a participant in the YoC program I decided to get proactive to convince the course to get on board with the program.
How has the Youth on Course program helped your family and children? It has reduced the cost of playing and practicing, while at the same time we have discovered a significant number of participating courses. This has expanded our interest in playing new courses and quite frankly we are playing much more golf. There are so many great courses in SoCal, what an eye opener, thanks to the SCGA Foundation and the YoC program.
Recently, you were able to help the Foundation secure a few new Youth on Course facilities? What do you think the advantage is for a golf facility to participate in the Youth on Course program? The program helps drive more business to the facilities not only during slow times but overall for the course, practice facilities and concessions. Like my family has experienced, simply having low cost access promotes more frequent play, a great economic stimulant for SoCal golf in general. Just as important, the program allows participating facilities to be an active participant in growing golf at the junior level with very affordable costs as compared to other sports such as soccer, hockey, lacross, baseball, etc. Golf is a game you can play for life, being active in supporting the growth of golf at the youth level will help solidify the economic future of the game, while lending to healthy activity that teaches important values in life and sportsmanship. The SCGAF YoC program certainly helps golf thrive, while other sports are struggling to survive.
Further Thoughts? I look forward to further involvement and exploring potential cooperative opportunities.
For more information or to volunteer, visit the Foundation section or email foundation@scga.org.
