Meet The 2025 Junior Golf Foundation Named Scholars

by | Jun 30, 2025 | Success Stories | 0 comments

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

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 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 growth of the game and aspire to lead others. She is a competitor, but also enjoys the game socially and adheres to the rules, etiquette, and values that the game provides.

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

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.

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 Scholar: Leah Garcia

The Livingston Family Foundation recognizes an athletic individual who exemplifies qualities that others respect.  This leader is honorable, hardworking, and positive while remaining 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.

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

The SCGA President’s Scholarship recognizes an individual who exemplifies leadership qualities and has excelled on the golf course. This scholarship honors an accomplished high school golfer who demonstrates initiative, leadership and accountability in their 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.

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

The Friends of Golf 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.

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

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.

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.

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