Community Outreach Archives - Morton Golf Foundation

Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers This Memorial Day

PGA HOPE enjoys weekly golf rounds, but this Memorial Day was special when Valorie Gleason, PGA HOPE Team Captain, enjoyed her round with six other Veterans.

Morton Golf Foundation is a PROUD sponsor of PGA HOPE where we Help Our Patriots Everywhere.

PGA HOPE is a flagship military program of PGA Reach and the Northern California PGA Foundation.

This is a golf program taught by PGA and LPGA Professionals that have been trained in adaptive golf & military culture.

PGA HOPE is open to all Veterans and Active Duty service members to enhance their overall physical and mental well-being.

We thanks all veterans from all branches of our military with a huge salute for their service.

“The Putting Party” Plus Morton Golf Foundation Scholarship Winners

The evening of Wednesday, May 14^th, at Haggin Oaks was another glorious night. The winds were down; a few clouds were in the sky, and the excitement was high for the 13^th Annual Morton Golf Foundation “Putting Party” fundraiser.

There were 18 5-person TEAMS created to play in a miniature golf course setting. There were nearly 100 putters on the MacKenzie Putting Green, laughing and enjoying the beautiful evening.

When the putting was complete everyone moved on to the Pavilion tent to enjoy a buffet dinner, a small silent auction, and awards.

The 2025 Morton Golf Foundation College Scholarship WINNERS and their parents were invited to join in the dinner and show the 100 donors that our future leaders were in the room.

Frank LaRosa was the emcee of the event and as he announced each student’s name, he told us where they graduated from and which college they had chosen. Frank read a short quote that each student had written in their scholarship application, telling us a little bit about their personality. When the 20 winners stood before us, we were all so proud, and everyone stood up to clap, knowing our future was in good hands.

Hope to see you next year when there will be new scholarship winners and more leaders on the way.

2025 Morton Golf Foundation Scholarship Winners

This year Morton Golf Foundation awarded 20 educational scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

$12,000.00 CATEGORY:

“Dusel Family Scholarship”

Hannah Stouder $12,000.00 / Christian Brothers /Univ. of NV, Reno
“It was hard work on the golf course that taught me how to move from awareness of a problem to action.”

$6,000.00 CATEGORY:

Ishdeep Sodhi $6,000.00 / Vista del Lago HS/ San Jose State
“Golf is more than a sport. It is a mirror that reflects who you are when things get tough. It conveys how you respond to adversity, how you treat others, and how you carry yourself even when nobody’s looking.”

$4,400.00 CATEGORY:

“Pat Mailey Memorial Scholarship”

Sabina Han $4,400.00 / Vista del Lago HS /Univ. of Pittsburgh
“Golf has shaped me into an active, outgoing person who loves to meet and befriend new people.”

“Kevin Sharp Memorial Scholarship”

Lily McGowen $4,400.00 / Union Mine HS / CSU Northridge
“My ultimate goal is life is to create positive change on my campus, the golf course, and in every community I am a part of.”

“Ava Bolima Memorial Scholarship”

Gwyneth O’Brien $4,400.00 / St. Francis / St. Mary’s College
“I am grateful for the way the core value of perseverance has not only helped me out on the course, but also shaped my approach to facing challenges in other aspects of my life.”

$3,500.00 CATEGORY:

“Valley Hi Women’s Golf Group”

Petra Yee $3,500.00 /Pleasant Grove HS / Williams College
“I was determined to work hard in everything I possibly could because I knew it could open up opportunities for me in the future.”

$2,500.00 CATEGORY:

“Jane & Rob Siebers Community Service Award”

Mason Pham $2,500.00 / Franklin HS / Consumnes River
“Through my experiences with the Morton Golf Foundation, I realized my strengths and found confidence in who I am.”

Marcus Leong $2,500.00 / Vista del Lago HS/ UC San Diego
“The single most impactful experience I’ve had in golf was developing the Par for Life Unified Golf Program. Through this program, I had the opportunity to work with students with disabilities, introducing them to the fundamentals of golf while also helping teach valuable life skills.”

“Sacramento Golf Council”

Aniruddh Mohan $2,500.00 / Mira Loma HS / UC Berkeley
“I have learned significant core values, like integrity and courtesy, which I use on the golf course and will continue to use on a day-to-day basis for the remainder of my life.”

$2,000.00 CATEGORY:

“Scenic View Wines Scholarship”

Matthew Kersting $2,000.00 / Bella Vista HS / UCSB
“I believe my passion, for becoming a better golfer and for becoming a better person, sets me apart from others.”

$1,600.00 CATEGORY:

“Murray Family Charitable Trust”

Avery Sousa $1,600.00 / Elk Grove HS / Chico State
“The game of golf has taught me that the biggest advantage you can give yourself is honesty and integrity, because it is how to see what needs to be approved upon.”

$1,500.00 CATEGORY:

“Western Engineering Contractors Scholarship”

Sophie Cook $1,500.00 / Pleasant GroveHS / CSU Northridge
“I’ve always done so many different sports when I was younger, but nothing has taught me commitment and honesty like golf has.”

$1,000.00 CATEGORY:

“Bosley Electric Company Scholarship”

Iliana Mao $1,000.00 / Laguna Creek HS / Consumnes River
“The core values that I have taken from golf include balance and resilience.”

“David Scott Scholarship”

Sahil Nathoo $1,000.00/ Pleasant Grove HS/ College TBD
“Patience is something golf has instilled in me through both success and failure.”

Jayden Lizama $1,000.00 / Franklin HS / Gonzaga Univ.
“My dream and goal ever since I was a little kid was to be playing on the PGA TOUR and winning a Major.”

Akira Ransi $1,000.00 / Folsom HS / CSU, Fresno
“I choose honesty as the most significant of the core values. I see it as a common denominator that connects to other values.”

Leiah Hicks $1,000.00 / Colfax HS / Santa Barbara City
“One of the greatest skills I have learned from golfing is patience.”

Nicholas Le $1,000.00/ Vista del Lago HS / CSU Fullerton
“Golf has also shown me that anything is possible with genuine dedication and consistent effort.”

Mindy Moore $1,000.00 / Monterey Trail HS / UC Davis
“I am forever grateful I decided to join Golf and thankful for the experiences and new doors it opened for me.”

Justin Wallace $1,000.00 / McClatchy HS / UC Davis
“My role as the team captain was to make everyone feel like they were part of an extended family.”

Congratulations to all of our scholarship winners. We look forward to seeing their continued success!

PGA HOPE Receives Adaptive Cart from Morton Golf Foundation

Last year, Suzy Schneider, Program Manager for PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) was asked to speak at a Morton Golf Foundation Board meeting regarding their programs and helping Veterans through the game of golf.

When Suzy ended up telling us all the wonderful things that PGA HOPE does one of our board members asked, “What does PGA HOPE need?”. Suzy answered back, “An adaptive cart to continue to help our wounded Veterans play with everyone else”.

When Suzy left the meeting our board of directors voted to buy PGA HOPE an adaptive cart so they could continue their mission.

Just recently a VertaCat cart was delivered to Swenson Park Golf Course in Stockton because PGA HOPE knows that would be the best location to reach as many wounded veterans as possible.

The founder and creator of the VertaCat adaptive cart is Anthony Netto. He was a huge part in making this happen. He is not only the designer of this cart but also spends his time growing the non-profit “Stand Up and Play” Foundation. Their mission is to give wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges the chance to stand up again, to experience the empowerment of looking someone in the eye, and to experience the freedom to play sports. It’s simple. Their goal is to give as many people as possible the gift of standing up.

Morton Golf Foundation continues to be proud of these relationships as we all grow golfers one player at a time.

The Andy Classic Memorial Golf Tournament Benefiting Junior Golf

Andy Paisal, past Golf Rep for GT Golf and Bag Boy passed away last year. Andy was a recognized junior golfer in the Northern California and well known by Haggin Oaks staff.

His family wanted to remember him for what Andy did best, giving back to junior golf. When Andy was ever asked to support Junior golf, he never said, No. Every time he continued to give back and pay it forward.

Last Friday, October 4^th was Andy’s birthday and that was the day his family chose to remember him in a charity golf tournament called “The Andy Classic”.

The proceeds were given to Morton Golf Foundation who will continue to pass it on to local youth, disabled and underserved throughout the year.

Thanks to Andy as he is still putting smiles on the faces as his good deeds continue.

LIVE from Pebble Beach at The PURE Championship

LIVE from Pebble Beach at PURE Championship

Once a year the PGA Champions TOUR partners with the First Tee juniors from Chapters across the country.

This year, five juniors were selected from the First Tee – Greater Sacramento to play in this event. They were Sahil Nathoo, Abigail Lin, Gianna Singh, Ish Sodhi, Hannah Stouder.

On Saturday they play once again with their chosen PGA Pro hoping to make the cut so they can play again on Sunday.

Every junior player said the same thing when asked if they were having a good week at Pebble Beach, “This is as close as I have been to playing on the PGA TOUR.” They are all living their golf dream.

L5 Investments Capital Cup 2024 Final

The 10th Annual L5 Investments Capital Cup was held September 13-15, 2024

Jane Siebers, Tom Morton and Mike Woods hold Capital Cup Check for Morton Golf Foundation after tournament

For the past 10 years 32 golfers from our Greater Sacramento have come together to play 3 days of golf to raise money for the charity of their choice.

Morton Golf Foundation is proud to have our President, Tom Morton playing for the Morton Golf Foundation. These players play 3 days straight in a Ryder Cup format with the winning team playing for an additional $100,000.00 split between the 16 team players.

This year Tom Morton along with the Morton Golf Foundation raised $137,439.00 going directly back to local youth, adaptive and underserved.

Since the inception this event has raised $18,105,209.00.

This year alone these 32 players have raised $2,626,522.00!

The 2025 goal is set at raising over $20million for the total 11 years.

Next year the date for the 11th Annual Capital Cup is set for September, 2025. Looking forward to growing our charity along with this event.

Special Olympics Golf Regionals Held at Haggin Oaks on September 13, 2024

Nearly 500 athletes and their caregivers gathered at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex for a day of fun, and skill-building, and camaraderie at the Special Olympics Golf Regionals.

For the past fourteen years Morton Golf Foundation has been a key sponsor of Special Olympics Golf Regionals at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.

This year, nearly 500 Special Olympics Athletes & their caregivers showed up with a positive attitude knowing they were going to spend a fun morning at the golf course.

Several athletes arrived early to play golf on MacKenzie Golf Course along with a separate group playing a Shotgun scramble on Arcade Creek Golf Course. While they were playing on the course the remaining athletes went to the back of the range to showcase their golf skills. There were 5 different skills stations set up with over 30 Morton Golf Foundation volunteers guiding them through their contest.

The morning ended with the Haggin Oaks famous burger bar to enjoy while they cheered on each Athlete as they received their metal.

Several volunteers have already approached us to make sure they stay on our volunteer list for next year. The first time we ask them and from then on, the volunteers ask us to help.

This event is always our best event of the year as we all believe that the Special Olympics Athletes are the real winners. Thanks for everyone’s support & we look forward to seeing you back next September.

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!

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!