PLAYER & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Meet the Instructors

   

Lauren Fesler

Lauren Fesler

San Fernando Valley

Lauren Fesler first started playing golf at 12 years old as an SCGA Junior program participant. She grew up playing at LA City golf courses and spent most of her time at Hansen Dam GC. She was an SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Scholar and played on the golf team at Cal Lutheran University. Lauren now serves as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams. Lauren is passionate about developing junior golfers on and beyond the course. Her philosophy is that everyone swings their own swing based on physical mobility. She finds it most important that her students understand the “why” behind swing mechanics.  

CREDENTIALS

  • LPGA Apprentice, LPGA TEP (Level 2 LGPA TEP in-progress)
  • Body-Swing Connection Level 1, Junior Level 2, Junior Level 3 and Golf Level 2 Certified, Titleist Performance Institute
  •  US Kids Certified Coach, US Kids Golf
  • Site Director, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf
  • Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, American Red Cross
  • Assistant Golf Coach, Cal Lutheran University

    YEARS TEACHING: 4 years  

    AWARDS & NOMINATIONS 

    • 4x Scholar-Athlete Society, Cal Lutheran University  
    • 2x WGCA All-American Scholar  
    • Nominee SCIAC Student-Athlete of the Year  
    • 2x Nominee Sandy La Bauve Spirit Award, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf  
    • SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Scholar Alumni 

    COLLEGE: Cal Lutheran University

    ROLE IN COMMUNITY: Assistant Director

    • Oversees curriculum development, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf programming, educational outings, conducts one-on-one lessons, emphasis on building intermediate/advanced players in community
    Eric Koscielak

    Eric Koscielak

    Southeast Los Angeles

    Eric is passionate about growing the game of golf through junior golf development. He started working in the golf industry in 2003 and began coaching in 2009. Over the years, Eric has had many PGA teaching professionals as mentors. These mentors have not only grown his golf knowledge but have also shown him the life skills that can be learned from playing the game. Eric has been teaching golf for 15 years and has given over 14,000 hours of instruction to adults and juniors. 

    CREDENTIALS

    • PGA Associate
    • Junior Level 3 Certified, Titleist Performance Institute
    • American Development Model Certified, PGA of America
    • CPR Certified, American Red Cross 

    YEARS TEACHING: 14 years

    COLLEGE: Cal State Fullerton 

    ROLE IN COMMUNITY: Senior Golf Instructor (Southeast Los Angeles)

    • Develops curriculum and leads programming for levels 1-3, levels 4+ and the Advanced Player Program 
    • Conducts one-on-one lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced juniors
    • Creates competitive leagues for intermediate and advanced players
    • Lead coach for PGA Jr League teams, travel teams and in-house teams
    • Played an integral role in the relaunch of SCGA Junior programming at Don Knabe GC in 2017
    Payton Meeks

    Payton Meeks

    Southwest Los Angeles and Orange County

    Payton graduated from William Jewell College in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communication, and Critical Thought & Inquiry. She played on William Jewell’s women’s golf team and was the team captain for three of her four years. Payton was a member of various organizations on campus, such as Delta Zeta Sorority, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Lamda Pi Eta, and Delta Mu Delta. She moved to California from Missouri in 2021 and started working for SCGA Junior as a part-time coach shortly after.

    CREDENTIALS

    • Level 1 and 2 Certified, Titleist Performance Institute
    • US Kids Level 1 Coach, US Kids Golf

    YEARS TEACHING: 2 years 

    COLLEGE: William Jewell College

    ROLE IN COMMUNITY: Assistant Director 

    • Oversees the Southwest LA and Orange County facilities and programming operations
    • Manages the equipment program
    • Develops curriculum
    • Conducts one-on-one lessons
    Jacob lewis

    Jacob lewis

    Southeast Los Angeles

    Jacob earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology: Pre-Physical Therapy from The Masters University, where he proudly played on the men’s golf team. Now, he shares he serves as a Golf Instructor in Southeast Los Angeles, offering one-on-one lessons and leading programming. Jacob’s journey with SCGA Junior began in 2013 as a participant where he later transitioned to part-time youth coach in 2018. Since 2019, Jacob has been recognized as an SCGA Scholar Alum. 

    YEARS TEACHING: 5 years

    AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

    • 2019-2023 SCGA Junior Golf Foundation Scholar

    COLLEGE: The Master’s University

    ROLE IN COMMUNITY: Golf Instructor (Southeast Los Angeles)

    • Conducts one-on-one lessons
    • Lead coach for programming classes
    • Develops curriculum
    kendel abrams

    kendel abrams

    Southeast & Southwest Los Angeles

     A graduate of Howard University and member of its women’s golf team, Kendel brings a bevy of industry experience to this role. She worked as an assistant at CitySwing in Washington DC, where Kendel instructed guests on the rules and techniques of golf. She’s also gained relevant experience during a marketing internship with Callaway Golf and while volunteering with The First Tee in Baltimore, Md.  

      COLLEGE: Howard University 

      ROLE IN COMMUNITY: Golf Instructor (Southeast & Southwest Los Angeles)

      • Conducts one-on-one lessons
      • Lead coach for programming classes
      • Develops curriculum
      Hannah Ko

      Hannah Ko

      Orange County & Riverside

      Hannah graduated from Long Beach State in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Affairs and Marketing. She also obtained her Master’s Degree in Sport Management in Winter 2023. She played on the Long Beach State women’s golf team for 5 years. Hannah thrives to achieve all her goals and find success when she is on and off the golf course. She is passionate about developing junior golfers with the swing mechanics and the mental game as well. She is determined to become a mentor to these juniors and watch them succeed in their careers.

       Credentials

      Junior Level 1, Titleist Performance Institute

      CPR Certified, American Red Cross

       Years Teaching: 2 years

       College: Long Beach State University

       Awards & Nominations: 

      2x Golfer of the Month

      2019 Honorable Mention All-Big West

      2021 Second Team All-Big West

      2023 First Team All-Big West

      4x Academic All-Big West Selection

       Role In Community: Golf Instructor

      • Conducts one-on-one lessons
      • Lead coach for programming classes
      • Develops curriculum

       

        Natalie BRUGLER

        Natalie BRUGLER

        San Fernando Valley

        Natalie most recently worked in the SCGA’s Championships & Golf Operations department as a Championships Associate, where she administered qualifiers, One-Day Series events and supported various SCGA-affiliated championships. 

        Additionally, Natalie has previously worked at the Northern California Golf Association as its USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. intern and Foxtail GC in the pro shop. She is a recent graduate of Sonoma State University, where she competed on the women’s golf team. 

        COLLEGE: College of the Desert, Sonoma State University 

        ROLE IN COMMUNITY: Golf Instructor (San Fernando Valley)

        • Conducts one-on-one lessons
        • Lead coach for programming classes
        • Develops curriculum