On February 17, SCGA Juniors had a unique opportunity to attend the prestigious 2024 Genesis Invitational at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. Generously invited by the Tiger Woods Foundation (TGR Foundation), over 50 juniors and their families from Southwest Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley joined us for this remarkable experience. For many of our juniors, it marked their first exposure to a live PGA Tournament, witnessing their golfing idols up close. Among the highlights, our juniors were thrilled to catch glimpses of renowned golfers like Rory McIlroy and members of the Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC), such as Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala.
During the Genesis Invitational, our juniors participated in the Tee Off Fore Youth Clinic, hosted by golf multi-platform media personality Hally Leadbetter and golf media personality/content creator Tisha Alyn. Tisha stressed the significance of warming up before hitting the driving range, leading all attendees through dynamic stretching exercises. Her impressive trick shots left the juniors in awe, adding an element of excitement to the clinic.
Following Tisha and Hally’s engaging session, special guest and professional golfer Denny McCarthy made a surprise appearance. Denny showcased his skills by hitting various targets on the driving range, drawing cheers and applause from the young golfers.
Later, Denny facilitated a brief Q&A session, inviting questions from the junior golfers. Denny shared insights into his background and golf journey, emphasizing the inevitable challenges aspiring golfers must overcome. His presence provided invaluable inspiration and education to the young participants.
Jacob Albert, a junior from the Southeast Los Angeles community, asked Denny, “When did you start taking golf seriously and playing in tournaments?”
Denny replied, “I started playing in tournaments when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I played golf ever since I could walk.”
The Tee Off Fore Youth Clinic marked the final event of our day at the Genesis Invitational. As a last-chance effort to see the golfers, juniors gathered near the 18th hole, eagerly awaiting the chance to collect autographs and souvenirs from the passing professionals. For many of our juniors, this was an unforgettable experience, with some expressing that it was life-changing. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the TGR Foundation for providing us with this remarkable opportunity.
