The high school team gives back to Youth on Course

The SCGA Foundation hosted a Youth on Course clinic at Brea Creek GC last Thursday, and was thrilled to have more than 30 juniors in attendance. With school beginning soon and golf season on the horizon, the Chino Hills Huskies girl’s golf team, and its Head Coach Keane Misawa, ventured to Brea to be a part of the clinic. Beginning his third year and coming off a 6-4 season where they missed the league championship by just five strokes, Misawa has high expectations for his team. “I believe the hard work is ready to pay off,” he said.

The Chino Hills team is unique in that they do not have tryouts for the team and instead, embrace any girl that has an interest in golf with open arms. When asked about why he chose to bring his entire team to this clinic, he responded, “I am a strong advocate of Youth on Course and require all the members of my team to become members.” He believes the Youth on Course program “is the best opportunity for youth to get involved in golf” and supports it in any way he can.

Christie Spann, an active YoC member and junior at Chino Hills, has been a Youth on Course member since 2010. When she spoke about the impact Youth on Course has had on her life, she not only explained how it helped her greatly improve her golf game, but also said that, “It has inspired me to be better both on and off the course. I am now much more social and have met many new friends through the game of golf.”

Spann and her teammates often go out to their favorite courses, either Dad Miller or Los Serranos, on the weekend, not only to hone their game, but also to enjoy the friendships they have built during their time on the Huskies’ team. She was ecstatic to hear that the team would be coming to the YoC clinic, and thought “it would be a great bonding experience for the team before the start of the season.” Her teammates agreed.

Jourdan Lizarraga is currently a senior at Chino Hills High, and one of the leaders of the Huskies’ team this season. “I see myself as a mentor to the others on the team and I try to use positive reinforcement to encourage the girls to get better and remind them that it is a team sport,” she said. Having been a Youth on Course member for three years, she has felt the impact the program has on girls like her.

We at the Foundation wish Christie, Jourdan, Coach Misawa and all of the Huskies the best of luck this season and hope to see them and you at our next clinic Sept. 8 at Menifee Lakes Golf Course.