We’re excited to share with you the success of The Peggy Kirk Bell (PKB) SoCal Qualifier, held recently at Los Serranos Golf Club. With 33 participants initially registered, we had 27 finishers competing across two days of high-level golf, showcasing impressive performances, including a standout score of -2 for the lead player.
After some tough competition, Volunteer and Coach Penelope Ornelas reflected on the heart of the experience: “What stood out to me the most was the positive attitude of the girls throughout the event. Even after two long days of intense golf, they were still smiling and congratulating each other. It’s this spirit of encouragement and support that makes girls’ golf so special.”
Volunteer involvement is crucial to success. Beyond keeping pace of play and lending a helping hand with admin, every volunteer serves as a relatable role model for our girls. Giving back takes many forms, and all have a profound impact.
We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers who served various roles on and off the course, including Earl Gillings, Wesley Baba, Robert Bittner, Emily Broudy and several Titleist staff members.
Maria Juliana Loza, Women’s Channel Manager at Titleist, said “As someone who played junior golf and college golf, it is very fun to see the new generations playing the game and see them rip some drives. Wow, do they have speed!”
Emily Broudy, a Championship and Golf Operations Rules Official, shared, “This qualifier provided these young women with a platform to showcase their talents and also played a crucial role in shaping their futures by instilling values of discipline, resilience and teamwork.”
I’m also proud to announce that the top three finishers from the Bell National Flight and the top finisher from the Futures National Flight will advance to the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Championship this July in North Carolina. SCGA Junior is proud to provide the winner of each flight, along with one guardian, round-trip airfare to the championship.
Our mission goes beyond teaching golf. We strive to create a community where young girls can find encouragement, build confidence and form lasting connections. Events like the PKB SoCal Qualifier not only provide a platform for athletic achievement but also offer the opportunity to foster those deeper connections. As Coach Penelope Ornelas put it, “The support from parents, the pride they feel watching their daughters succeed, and the friendships that form among the girls—this is what makes the experience so valuable.”
We are thrilled to offer our girls the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious event, and we couldn’t have made it possible without the generosity of donors like you.
With gratitude,
Kristen Lee
Golf Club Coordinator