As the Chevron Championship had its final run on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills CC, it will leave behind a lasting impression on SoCal golf, especially for the girls of SCGA Junior (SCGA).
SCGA’s commitment to growing the game amongst diverse female golfers earned the program an invitation from the LPGA Foundation to participate in the Chevron Legends & Juniors Pro-Am ahead of the big event. 14-year-olds Ayuka Yang and Carolina Pedroza, members of the Advanced Player Program (APP), were selected to play and were paired with LPGA legends and amateurs.
Ayuka enjoys playing golf every day with her two siblings and plays several sports, including football and basketball. She loves to draw and volunteer in her community.
Carolina plays on the golf team at Gahr High School. She also loves playing golf with her two younger brothers and enjoys running in track and field.
It was difficult to select only two girls from the program as SCGA Junior communities are filled with fantastic kids, but it was Ayuka and Carolina’s heavy involvement and leadership that earned them this life-changing experience.
Both girls are high-level golfers and are active participants in SCGA Junior programming including clinics, tournaments, classes and mentor play days. They are LPGA*USGA Girls Golf E-Leaders and serve as role models and mentors to younger girls.
“As Ayuka’s golf coach, I see how hard she works and the big future she has ahead of her. She is a junior who represents our program to the fullest,” says SCGA Junior Assistant Director Lauren Fesler.
SCGA Junior Senior Instructor Teresa Thornton says of Carolina, “She is often referred to as a superstar. She represents our program so well and her personality is contagious.”
The day itself was one that these girls will never forget.
Ayuka was paired with LPGA Legend and SCGA Hall of Famer, Amy Alcott, as well as Donna Andrews. She was also able to meet current pros Lexi Thompson, Minjee Choi, Jessica Korda, Gabbi Ruffels, Hinako Shibuno and the 2022 Chevron winner, Jennifer Kupcho.
Meanwhile, Carolina played with LPGA Legend and World Golf Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, who gave her inspirational words of wisdom throughout the round.
To top off the experience, Ayuka and Carolina both made birdies, impressed the legends with their playing ability and zeal for golf and ended the weekend watching the final splash at Poppie’s Pond.
Both girls expressed that this was a life-changing opportunity and felt so motivated to work on their game and grow into the legends and professionals that they played with and saw compete.
