Named Scholarships

Named Scholarship Overview

Named scholarships honor donors who have committed to prolonged sustainment of the scholarship program. Scholars selected as named scholars exemplify traits described in each scholarship description.

Interested in endowing a named scholarship? Contact Camille Mahlknect at cmahlknect@scga.org to learn I

Livingston Family Scholarship

The Livingston Family Foundation recognizes an athletic individual who exemplifies qualities that others respect.  This leader is honorable, hard–working, positive and remains committed to their vision despite life’s challenges.  He or she demonstrates enthusiasm and is persistent in accomplishing goals in school, the community or workplace.

The Jim Duff Scholarship 

The Jim Duff Scholar embodies the traits of an honorable golfer. This scholar plays the game with courtesy and integrity, knows the Rules of the game, and maintains a good pace on the course. He or she demonstrates etiquette on and off the course and knows that golf is a sport and a social activity that lasts a lifetime. These scholars will utilize the game to pursue a higher education and a better life for themselves.    

SCGA President’s Named Scholarship

The SCGA Presidents’ Scholarship, granted by the SCGA Foundation, recognizes an individual who exemplifies leadership qualities and has excelled on the golf course. The SCGA Presidents’ Scholarship honors an accomplished high school golfer who demonstrates initiative, leadership and accountability in his/her community, school or workplace as well as a strong sense of social awareness. These qualities reflect traits our SCGA Presidents have possessed since the founding of the association in 1899.  

COPi Cup Scholarship 

The COPi Cup Scholar embodies the traits of competition, camaraderie, and charity. This scholar plays the game as a competitor, but also enjoys the social aspects. He or she demonstrates a significant dedication to charity through both golf and in his or her community.

 

Deb Long Scholar 

This scholarship is named in honor of SCGA team member, life-long golfer, and advocate for women and girls in golf, Deb Long. This scholar is a female of need who will honor Deb’s memory by pursing higher education with the intent to give back to her community. She will have a passion not only for her golf game but for the game of golf and aspire to lead others. 

 

Friends of Golf Scholarship   

The Friends of Golf (FOG) Scholarship is presented annually to an SCGA Junior participant who represents their mission of growing the game and being of a charitable heart.  This participant has been actively involved with SCGA Junior and has utilized their passion for the game to give back to golf and to the community.  This individual will have clearly demonstrated the values of hard work, integrity, sportsmanship and leadership as well as a love for the game of golf.  Finally, the individual will have performed well in the classroom and shown a commitment to pursue a college degree.  Priority for this scholarship is given to those involved with the instruction program and who have significant financial need. 

Livingston Scholars:

2011 – Wally Gonzalez

2011 – Grisell Medina

2012 – Ezequiel Jauregui

2013 – Sachi Hamada

2014 – Rachel Chandler

2015 – Stephanie Gonzalez

2016 – Allan Sander

2017 – Stephanie Fernandez

2018 – Dana Bryant

2019 – Jacob Lewis

2020 – Skylar Graham

2021 –Yuliana Chavez

2022 – Kyla Coaxum

2023 – Nathan Zet

2024 – Meredith Holmes

2025 – Leah Garcia

Jim Duff Scholars:

2012 – Elise Polk

2013 – Savannah Knox

2014 – Jamie Harada

2015 – Lauren Fesler

2016 – Amber Christensen

2017 – Hansel Suharli

2018 – Salvador Hinojosa

2019 – Jennifer Queller

2020 – Kirsten Lindner

2021 – Evan Chien

2022 – Brandon Salas

2023 – Luke Johnson

2024 – Salma Ibrahim

2025 – Alysa Davis 

SCGA Presidents’ Scholars:

2012 – Jorgeo Catolico

2013 – Carolane Gariepy

2014 – Georgia Lacey

2015 – Nicholas Moreno

2016 – Michael Nguyen

2017 – Mark Williams

2018 – Elizabeth Wang

2019 – Emilie Nguyen

2020 – Ryan Ruaysungnoen

2021 – Evan Reyes

2022 – Madison Stout

2023 – Diego Soto

2024 – Jonah Siu

2025 – Judah Johnson 

Friends of Golf Scholars:

2016 – Steven Torres

2017 – Matthew Carungay

2018 – Diamond Lew

2019 – Jetty Sivongsay

2020 – Shani Waite

2021 – Sophia Sandoval

2022 – Joshlyn Ayala

2023 – Mitzi Duarte

2024 – Josiah Joseph

2025 – Atticus Sajor

COPi Cup Scholars:

2014 – Alec Spencer

2015 – Samantha Rocha

2016 – Marni Murez

2017 – Alyaa Abdulghany

2018 – Calista Reyes

2019 – Juliette Ruaux

2020 – Derek Ban

2021 – Alan Pham

2022 – Michelle Cheng

2023 – Sophia Martinez

2024 – Dontya Bell

2025 – Carlee Verdugo

Deb Long Scholars

2019 – Jasmine Lew

2020 – Ashleigh Park

2021 – Elisa Gomez

2022- Madalyn Nguyen

2023 – Sophia Soto

2024 – Hayley Henderson

2025 – Nataliya Laciste

Recently, the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation held its annual Scholar Reception at Wilshire Country Club where 60 scholars were recognized for their academic achievement. Since the Scholarship Program’s inception in 2008, the Foundation has awarded $2.3 million to nearly 200 scholars. This year, the Foundation will be awarding $230,000 to 54 individual scholars, including 16 new scholars for the class of 2029.

Of those 16 new scholars, seven were selected to represent their class by receiving a Named Scholarship. Named scholarships honor donors who have committed to prolonged sustainment of the scholarship program. Meet this year’s Named Scholars:

Deb Long Scholar: Nataliya Laciste

Nataliya Laciste has demonstrated the power of the Player and Youth Development program to enhance her golf skills and gain valuable life lessons. She coaches young golfers and volunteers for our girls’ golf classes in Southeast Los Angeles and has led collaboration with the Los Angeles Golf Club for a Women’s & Girls Invitational at Bella Verde GC. Nataliya is proud to share that SCGA Junior has given her a second family with friends, coaches and mentors and will be attending Cal State San Marcos in the fall to play on the golf team and pursue a degree in Communications.

Jim Duff Scholar: Alysa Davis

Alysa Davis has been a member of our Southwest Los Angeles golf community for over 10 years and is a passionate eLeader for our Girls Golf programs. Having learned to play on Maggie Hathaway GC, she has been a key advocate for the Maggie Hathaway GC Renewal Project and has promoted how the renovation will enhance inclusivity and access to the game. Alysa has shared that her future goal is to continue to bring golf to underserved communities and she hopes to inspire more young players to fall in love wit the sport just has her SCGA Junior coaches did for her. She will be attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the fall and competing on the golf team.

Livingston Family Foundation Scholar: Leah Garcia

Leah Garcia has participated in all aspects of the Player & Youth Development Program and her strong work ethic and dedication empowered her to reach our Advanced Player Program. She uses her social media platform to encourage and uplift young girls to try her two passions: golf and boxing and she strives to ultimately open a training facility where youth can improve in both of these sports. Leah will be attending Mt. San Antonio College in the fall and playing on the golf team.

SCGA President's Scholar: Judah Johnson

Judah Johnson is a dedicated student, golfer and program volunteer. His journey with SCGA Junior has led him to opportunities on and beyond the course, participating in our Gold Tour, Mentor Play Days at the Los Angeles Country Club and Hillcrest, and professional development with Deloitte. Beyond the greens, Judah excels academically, being a proud member of various clubs and captaining his High School golf team. Inspired by his grandfather’s struggle to rebuild his hometown after hurricane Maria, he will be attending UC Irvine to focus on developing cutting-edge, transformative solutions for society.

Friends Of Golf Scholar: Atticus Sajor

Atticus Sajor began his golf adventure at the age of 6 and discovered a supportive community that fostered lifelong friendships and personal growth. His participation in SCGA Junior opened doors to prestigious golf courses, and networking opportunities, and he and his family are avid volunteers for the organization. Atticus is SCGA Junior’s go-to DJ and has volunteered for multiple fundraisers and community events as ‘DJ Swing’. He led the inaugural SCGA Junior X LAGC Invitational at Bella Verde GC and has even modeled for some local golf brands. He will be heading off to Cal State Fullerton this fall.

COPi Cup Scholar: Carlee Verdugo

Carlee Verdugo is a compassionate and dedicated student with a strong commitment to academic excellence and community service. She has volunteered in our programs since 2018 and is extremely involved with our girls golf programs. In addition to her academic achievements, Carlee has exhibited exceptional leadership skills through her involvement in the A.S.B. She aims to pursue a career in healthcare administration and will be playing golf for Rocky Mountain College in the fall.

Mimi Frengs Scholar: Dallas Vega

The  Mimi Frengs Scholarship honors the life and legacy of Mimi Frengs, a gifted artist and compassionate community member whose warmth and creativity touched many. Mimi’s love of art and connection lives on through this scholarship, supporting students in pursuit of their artistic dreams.

Dallas Vega was a part of the very first SCGA Junior class at the Pico Rivera Golf Course at age four and has continued playing and volunteering in our programs throughout high school. He will tell you he’s met many of his closest friends through our programs and he and his family have introduced many new golfers to SCGA Junior. Beyond golf, Dallas loves to draw and recently collaborated with Palm Golf Co. to design a custom headcover for the Foundation Cup Tournament. His goal is to connect his two favorite things in life, golf and art and launch a golf brand that gives back to the community and inspires youth. This fall, he will attend Long Beach State and major in graphic design.