For kids who have never swung a golf club, or even been to a course, accessibility is an issue. Golf is an intimidating and expensive sport to try, especially in communities where golf isn’t a culturally relevant sport.
SCGA Junior teamed up with the LA84 Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier to break down those barriers for local kids to help them try golf.
Give Golf A Go, hosted at Pico Rivera GC, gave kids from the Pico Rivera and Whittier Narrows communities a fun afternoon filled with games, clinics and of course, food. For many of the 60 kids who attended the event, it was not only their first time trying the sport, but also their first time on a course.
“This event is so special because we are getting the chance to spend purposeful time with these kids and show them a sport they’ve never experienced before,” said SCGA Junior instructor Teresa Thornton. “I look around and see a lot of smiles and hope that they are seeing how much fun golf can be.”
With an emphasis on fun for kids of all abilities, Give Golf A Go allowed kids to learn and try various golf skills and learn from SCGA Junior’s certified instructors. The day included putting and chipping skills, a driving range session, on-course play, fitness and non-golf activities. Every junior in attendance also received a sleeve of golf balls and a hat.
Along with the event’s partners, SCGA Junior is dedicated to diversifying the game of golf and making it accessible for kids from all communities and backgrounds.
“We hope that all these kids had enough fun today that they’ll want to come back to the golf course and keep playing this sport,” Thornton said.