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 Mahlknecht at cmahlknecht@scga.org to learn more. 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.

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.  

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.    

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.

 

Mimi Frengs Scholarship 

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.

 

Deb Long Scholarship 

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

2026 – Sunnie Shay

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

2026 – Ayuka Yang

SCGA President’s 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

2026 – Jocelyn River 

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

2026 – Andrew Rodriguez

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

2026 – Jose Chavez

Deb Long Scholars:

2019 – Jasmine Lew

2020 – Ashleigh Park

2021 – Elisa Gomez

2022- Madalyn Nguyen

2023 – Sophia Soto

2024 – Hayley Henderson

2025 – Nataliya Laciste

2026 – Allysara Phantavee

Mimi Frengs Scholars:

2025 – Dallas Vega

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:

COPi Cup Scholar: Jose Chavez

Jose Chavez is a compassionate and dedicated student with a strong commitment to academic excellence and community service. A long-time participant that has participated in the Player & Youth Development program, Play Days, the Foundation Cup and SCGA Junior field trips, where this recipient really shines is his volunteer efforts. He has dedicated over 100 hours of service to supporting junior golfers, motivated to ensure the next generation has the same incredible experience and learn the life lessons he did in the program. He’ll be studying Finance at Cerritos College this fall.

Jim Duff Scholar: Ayuka Yang

Ayuka Yang recipient has been a member of the San Fernando Valley golf community for seven years, advancing through the entire SCGA Junior Player Pathway. A competitor on the SCGA Junior Gold Tour, dedicated Girls Golf eLeader, and frequent volunteer at Woodley Lakes Golf Course, she has consistently demonstrated the sportsmanship, integrity, and leadership that define the Jim Duff Scholarship. This fall, she will attend the University of California, Santa Barbara to study Psychology, and we know she will continue to carry forward the lessons, relationships and love for the game that golf has given her throughout her life.

Deb Long Scholar: Allysara Phantavee

Allysara Phantavee has demonstrated the power of the Player and Youth Development program to enhance her golf skills and gain valuable life lessons. She credits golf and volunteering as the tools that have taught her the importance of empathy and responsibility and has been a consistent supporter of SCGA Junior programs, along with volunteering in hospitals and youth camps. She’ll be attending Chapman University to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences.

Livingston Family Foundation Scholar: Sunnie Shay

Sunnie Shay 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’s competed in countless SCGA Junior Tournaments and various college tours, and has been a long-time volunteer, specifically for our girls golf programs in Orange County. A leader on her high school golf team, she implemented daily mental health check-ins with her teammates, a sure sign she will flourish as she pursues her nursing degree. She’ll be attending the University of Portland this fall.

SCGA President's Scholar: Jocelyn River

Jocelyn River is a dedicated student, golfer and leader whose impact extends well beyond the golf course. Through SCGA Junior, she has competed in tournaments, volunteered extensively with the Southeast Los Angeles programming team, and recently shared her story with the Industry Hills Women’s Golf Association. Most notably, she took the initiative to establish the first girls’ golf team at her high school, leading the effort from concept to competition. She will attend Duke University this fall to study International Relations, where she will undoubtedly continue to lead and inspire those around her.

Friends of Golf Scholar: Andrew Rodriguez

Andrew Rodriguez began his golf adventure at six years old and discovered a supportive community that fostered lifelong friendships and personal growth. A long-time participant in Play Days, the Foundation Cup, College Golf Summits and SCGA Juniors Tournaments, his development as a golfer has been tremendous. In May, he was crowned the UNDERRATED Golf European Tour champion at The Belfry in England- which catapulted him to the Top 55 of the AJGA Rankings. He’ll be playing golf for Long Beach State this fall.