Studio City, Calif. – Thousands of junior golfers in Southern California will benefit from a generous grant of $20,000 made to the Southern California Golf Association Foundation by the L.A. Legends Club on behalf of the Northern Trust Open.

“I continue to be amazed at what can happen when a community comes together to support something that benefits so many,” said Lakers legend Jerry West (pictured third from left), executive director of the Northern Trust Open, which will be played Feb. 13-19 at Riviera CC in Pacific Palisades.

The grant, one of five such allotments to Los Angeles-area charities, was accepted by SCGA Foundation President Ed Holmes (pictured left) at a recent reception at Riviera. Holmes had nominated the SCGA Foundation for the grant, one of more than 20 charities that were considered by the NTO.

SCGA Foundation Executive Director Kevin Gigax promised that the money would be put to good use. “It’s not a specifically allocated grant,” he said, “so it is going to benefit all of our programs, and that means providing affordable access to golf for all Southern California juniors and, above and beyond that, supporting additional educational and mentoring opportunities for youth, such as vocational and college field trips, leadership activities, and golf tournament opportunities.”

The SCGA Foundation, founded in 1983 thanks to a generous donation from the PGA Championship, sponsors the education and character development of Southern California youth through golf. It believes that golf teaches integrity, character and responsibility in youth and therefore works to ensure access for all.

For further information about the SCGA Foundation, visit www.scga.org/foundation.