Morton Golf, Author at Morton Golf Foundation

Fun Updates on Past MGF Junior STARS

Where are they now? We have an updated on a few of our past MGF Junior STARS!

Wheare are They Now Image Red Background with Pink writing

Nikki Chindavong: MGF Scholarship winner 2023, MGF Jr Grant winner 2017 to 2023 (7 years). Sophomore at UNR, currently working at Jr camps for

NCIG, continues to volunteer for MGF.

Darla Dela Torre: MGF Scholarship winner 2024, MGF Jr Grant winner 2016 to 2024 ( 9 years, started at 9 years old). Committed to Sac State for 2024, will play

on the golf team. Qualified for 2024 USGA Junior Girls Championship.

Jack Fidler: MGF Scholarship winner 2022, MGF Jr Grant winner 2019 to 2022 (4 years). Currently works for Morton Golf LLC, active MGF volunteer, loves to

act in community theater.

Richie Gibbs: MGF Jr Grant winner 2015 to 2020 (6 years). Currently works for Morton Golf LLC, working on his PGM degree, while teaching lessons, running Junior camps and completing his degree online. Continues to be a MGF volunteer.

Emily Guan: MGF Grant winner, 2022 and 2024 (2 years), Age, 16. Current 2024 Sacramento City Junior Girls Champion. Also, a competitive Junior Skier.

Ashley Knepshield: MGF Scholarship Winner 2020, MGF Jr Grant winner 2015-2020 (6 years), continues to be a MGF volunteer. Graduated from UCLA 2024. Seeking employment in the film industry.

Taylor Morton: MGF College Scholarship Winner in 2018, Age 24. Graduated with an Engineering Degree from UNR and immediately got an Engineering position with PING Golf in Scottsdale, AZ. He has been the Lead Engineer on Blueprint S irons, Blueprint T irons & GLE3 Women’s hybrid clubs.

Emily Zedek: MGF Scholarship winner 2022, MGF Jr grant winner 2021-2022 (2 years), Currently attending UNR, plays golf at club level, Works summers at Morton Golf LLC running junior camps.

Where Are They Now? Cameron Champ

Cameron Champ came to Morton Golf Foundation when he was a Junior in High School looking for funding. His thoughts were to play in International golf tournaments to increase his awareness for his future to play on the PGA TOUR. The rest is history. . .

Cameron Champ and his caddy looking at green

Cameron, now 29 years old graduated from Texas A & M, is married & resides in Houston, TX.

He just finished his 2nd round in the Barracuda Championship with 2 days to go with a score of 20 as they play the Stableford method.

Sacramento, his hometown continues to cheer him and on & wish him well in his PGA TOUR future.

4th Annual Sacramento Valley Women’s Amateur Championship

Muggy skies and 100 degree temperatures couldn’t stop this electric 2-day women’s golf competition.

As this women’s tournament continues to grow each year, this year kicked off with a field of 61 players.

The final group was Kaylyn Noh, Sienna Lyford & Sneha Sharan.

Sienna Lyford poses with her family in front of a golf cart outside the Haggin Oaks Pro Shop.

Sneha Sharan poses with a male friend on the gravel area near the Haggin Oaks scoreboard.

Kaylyn Noh won the overall 1st Place with a 5-under at 139.

Kaylyn Noh was a Morton Golf Foundation College scholarship winner in 2021. She graduated from Rocklin High School & went on to Cal Poly to play golf her Freshman year. She then transferred on to CAL Berkeley for her Sophomore & Junior year. This fall, Kaylyn will enter her Senior year at CAL Berkeley & will graduate in 2025 with a degree in Law Studies.

Kaylyn Noh and Mike Woods posing for the camera after Kaylyn's victory. Kaylyn is holding the glass trophy for the Sacramento Valley Women's Amateur Championship.

Congratulations to Kaylyn and we wish her good luck in her golf & final year at CAL.

We look forward to seeing her back at this event next July to defend her 1st Place Title!

Golf & Guitars XVI

Big names, great people, and a good cause—what better two days could country music fans ask for?

Last week was the annual Golf & Guitars country music festival at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. For two days, country music stars and fans descended upon the course for one heckuva shindig and raise money for a good cause!

On Monday, VIP Golf & Guitars ticketholders were treated to dinner and an intimate evening with several country music songwriters. Before the musicians took the stage, the Morton Golf Foundation announced their 2024 scholarship winners. Once the presentation was over, it was finally time for the country music to begin.

Artists came out in groups of 4, each playing their own songs and assisting the other musicians on stage. Among those featured were Chris Roberts, Craig Wayne Boyd, Johnny & Heidi Bulford, Erin Enderlin, Mae Estes, Amanda Gray, Elena Jane, Austin Jenckes, Lauren Mascetti, Kevin Post, Kennedy Scott, and Scott Stepakoff.

A wide shot of the Singer/Songwriter Night dinner outside the Haggin Oaks Pavilion. In the distance is the empty stage for Golf & Guitars.

The 12 scholarship winners in attendance at the Singer/Songerwriter night are holding their giant checks with their scholarship amounts. They are smiling and looking at the camera.

Tuesday started at 9am with the annual Golf & Guitars charity golf tournament. After mingling with fans before the opening ceremony, the players all hit the links to raise money to benefit charities of their own choosing.

Like always, fans were welcome on the course during the tournament as spectators. There were groups set up on holes, ready to collect their favorite musician’s signatures as they played through. Many of the players took the time to stop and talk with their fans and thank them for coming out (or snap a selfie or two!). The mood was lively, welcoming, intimate, and above all else—fun!

Jason Michael Carroll and members of PGA Hope are being interviewed by Molly Riehl from Good Day Sacramento. The man being interviewed is in a wheelchair while looking at the camera, Molly and Jason are laughing at a joke he made.

That mood carried well on through the day, all the way to the main event. At 5:30pm, bands took the stage to perform. For nearly 5 hours straight, live country music rocked from the stage. Nothing could stop this party—not even a little unexpected rain!

Cripple Creek Band on the main Golf & Guitars concert stage. Behind them is a large sign that reads 'NEW COUNTRY'.

A wide-shot from the audience's perspective of the main show stage. The crowd is packed and the sun is peeking over the trees, causing a lens flare.

Of course, Golf & Guitars is a charity event and the true winners were the charities benefitting from the event. During the main concert, Jason Michael Carroll and KNCI radio hosts Tom and Cody presented a special gift to members of PGA Hope, a non-profit organization that helps wounded veterans. Each PGA Hope member in attendance received a custom PING Hooferlite bag and roaring applause from the crowd. The Northern California PGA also received a $29,000 check for an adaptive cart that their program highly needed.

Next, it was time to announce the winners of the golf tournament. In 5th place was Mae Estes, winning $2,500 for Creativets. Tied for second place were Kennedy Scott, Erin Enderlin, and Eric Gunderson, winning $4,000 for Rahab House, Songwriting with Soldiers, and Augie’s Quest respectively. In first place was Chris Roberts, winning $6,000 to keep the Apollo Middle School Choir’s program.

Members of the Northern California PGA smiling while holding a giant check for $29,000 to pay for an adaptive cart.

Jason Michael Carroll on stage with the PGA Hope members in attendance at the event, all with the PING Hooferlite bags they have been given.

With its sixteenth year behind it, Golf & Guitars has raised nearly $2 million dollars for charity since it’s inception. It is a wonderful event that both musicians and fans are proud to be a part of and this year was no different.

Make sure to follow Golf & Guitars on Facebook to learn when Golf & Guitars XVII will be!

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Golf Fore Health Finishes Spring Season

On June 26^th, 2024 “Golf Fore Health” finished their Spring Session in anticipation of the Fall Session starting back up in September.

The sun was out, the participants showed up in record numbers as everyone was ready to play 9-holes of golf.

Ken Hurdle, Lead Coach came up with a great idea of at the end of each session he ends it with a “Hot Dog Scramble”. Each participant gets to bring one caregiver to help guide them through their round along with the volunteers. After golf everyone goes into the MacKenzie Sports Bar & Grille to enjoy a hot dog as a group. The laughter and friendship are truly the best part when you see everyone saying goodbye in hopes of seeing their golf partners soon.

The participants enjoy the program so much that in-between sessions Coach Ken Hurdle organizes “Summer School”. This is a way to practice your golf skills with volunteers and leaders every other Monday morning before the start of the next fall session.

This is a wonderful way to rehabilitate through the game of golf and not in a doctor’s office.

Please join in the fun, meet new friends, and improve your golf game.

Just contact the Northern CA Institute of Golf Desk inside the Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop or call (916) 808-2531 to find out more.

Hope to see you there!

5th Annual Capital Golf Challenge

The 5th Annual Capital Golf Challenge was played in conjunction with the 100 year Centennial Celebration of William Land Golf Course on Saturday, June 8th, 2024.

Under the beautiful Sacramento skies the City Elected Officials -vs- the County Elected Officials competed in a Ryder Cup format in a fundraiser for the newly built Hiram Johnson High School Life & Golf Skills Academy.

For the past 4 years this fundraiser has raised nearly $300,000.00 to make this state of the art practice facility become a reality. The goal is to keep this fundraiser going every year to help maintain and staff this practice center.

The City Elected Officials are proud of winning this format 4 times to the 1 time that it was won by the County Officials.

Winning team at golf tournament holding trophy

We can’t wait to see a high school golf team established as it puts Hiram Johnson High School on the map.

To donate to this on-site project Click HERE . Under the event type in Hiram Johnson Facility.

Thanks for your support!

“The Putting Party” Annual Fundraising Event for Morton Golf Foundation

The Putting Party at Haggin Oaks held on May 15 was a fun and fabulous fundraising event!

The putting course was created, the putting teams arrived and everyone was ready to party.

Four golfers high fiving on the putting green

This annual fundraising event was created to educate our local businesses on what the Morton Golf Foundation is all about.

Each corporation pays $1,000.00 to participate as they bring their 5-person putting team. It’s a scramble format & the idea is each team has 5 chances to putt the ball in the hole with the least amount of strokes.

This year’s winners were from Boutin Jones Inc who were also the drink sponsor for the evening.

Everyone was putting, laughing and having a great time on a beautiful warm Sacramento evening.

The proceeds from this year’s fundraiser went toward PGA HOPE which is a nonprofit that stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere.

The crowd of 100 people was silent as their representatives told their stories on how PGA HOPE makes a difference in their lives.

Please join us next year by contacting Jane Siebers at jsiebers@hagginoaks.com

Del Paso Foundation Scholarship Now Open for Applicants

The Del Paso Foundation golf scholarship application is now open.

Del Paso Foundation Scholarship

Del Paso Foundation offers the R. B. “Bud” Roberts Memorial Scholarship. They are a public foundation that will award scholarship funds and grants to support Sacramento area youth engaged in the golf, hospitality, and food service industries. In addition, children in need and youth golf participants are also eligible to receive the Foundation’s scholarship funds and grants. Scholarships and donations will be awarded at the Foundation Board’s discretion and based on need and academic achievement. The Foundation Board will support the Sacramento community and choose recipients from the Sacramento area.

Application Checklist

To be considered for a scholarship award, the following items must be sent to the address below.
Complete all sections of the application
A personal essay
Official, sealed copy of the most recent high school or college transcripts
Proof of Enrollment or Acceptance for upcoming Semester
Two letters of recommendation; one must be from a teacher

Mail your completed application and additional elements by the deadline of June 15, 2024, to:
Del Paso Foundation
3333 Marconi Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821
Attn: Ellen Phillips

*Deadline to apply is June 15th, 2024

Apply Now

Good luck to all who apply!

Hiram Johnson Golf Facility Ribbon Cutting

Today, April 24, 2024 was a wonderful day at Hiram Johnson Golf Facility Ribbon Cutting. For the past 10 years a vision was created and now a reality has begun.

Over 10 years ago the idea came about regarding bringing the golf course to the school and letting high school students have an opportunity to experience not only the game of golf but also the First Tee’s nine core values helping students grow on and off the course.

Morton Golf Foundation has been fundraising for the past four years to sustain this facility once it was completed and now, we can start doing that process.

In early April, 2024 the First Tee – Greater Sacramento began mentoring and guiding Hiram Johnson High School students in the game of golf.

As the facility continues to grow, they will be adding not only after school programs but weekend and year-round golf skills as well.

Today at the Ribbon Cutting, Principal Garrett Kirkland enhanced the event by having Hiram Johnson students attend the event to see and hear what was created for them. To kick-off the ribbon cutting we were entertained by the Hiram Johnson School Band that added to our excitement.

We all look forward as we continue to watch the Hiram Johnson Golf Facility grow!

First Annual Sacramento Junior Championship Presented by Morton Golf Foundation

The first annual Sacramento Junior Championship was held at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on March 28 – 31, 2024.

In the fall of 2023, two members of the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) came to Haggin Oaks to discuss with Morton Golf Foundation thoughts about hosting an AJGA junior tournament at Haggin Oaks.

Morton Golf Foundation had the vision of knowing they wanted to allow junior golfers to participate in the best competition at the most prestigious junior tour in the United States right here in Sacramento. This allowed several junior golfers in Northern California to sleep in their own bed and compete on a golf course they had competed on before. The seed was planted, and a five-year commitment contract was signed.

Groundskeepers sweeping and rolling rain off of the putting green

The first annual AJGA tournament was held at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on the MacKenzie Golf Course on March 28 – 31, 2024. The field featured 96 juniors, ages 12-18, with a mixture of boys and girls. The excitement was overwhelming as the junior players anticipated that this tour would have college coaches looking at the players in the hope of offering college scholarships.

AJGA tournaments are played all around the United States. The AJGA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women players. The mission of the AJGA Foundation mirrors the mission of Morton Golf Foundation. When AJGA staff stepped onto the property of Haggin Oaks and began working with the Morton Golf staff it was seamless in providing a first-class event.

We are all excited for the future AJGA events at Haggin Oaks as we continue to give junior golfers their opportunity to shine.

Mark your calendar for April 17 – 20, 2025 to see the BEST junior golf talent playing right