Thank you from Morton Golf Foundation Grant Recipient

Nikki Chindavong is a junior golf development grant recipient for the past several years and it has been a joy to watch her development both on and off the course.

Nikki recently sent a thank you letter to the Morton Golf Foundation and we wanted to share it with everyone here. We were touched by the great art and her kind words:

Dear Morton Golf Foundation:


Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for believing in me and supporting me from day one. They say, “never forget those who helped you along the way” and I will never forget what this foundation has done for me and the rest of junior golf. Currently, I am on track to play college golf. I am very excited for the future, but before that, I am so grateful for the journey that I have taken to get to this point in life.
This foundation, the First Tee, my Coach Mr. Berg, and my family have been my core building blocks of who I am. I believe that golf is not just a game it’s a lifestyle. I have found that one of my passions in life is golf. Through such as perseverance, respect, integrity and confidence are crucial to life. Through the First Tee, I had the opportunity to play in the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach and the First Tee National Championship at Notre Dame University. These two experiences were not only fun and exciting, but they were truly life changing. At the PURE Insurance Championship, I found a new sense of confidence within myself. I re-learned that good things will come with patience and dedication. In Indiana, at the First Tee National Championship, I learned that we create our own personal wins. I came in 2nd place shooting a 3-day total of -4 (shooting 4 under on the final round) and felt that I played the best golf in my life. I lost the tournament by one stroke after making a bogey on the 16th hole. I walked away from that tournament realizing that as much as I wanted to win, it wasn’t my time yet. I knew that if I continued to work hard and stay persistent, good things would come my way … and it did. A week after this tournament, I was offered to play for the University of Nevada, Reno.
Everything that you see on the front cover makes me who I am, and Morton Golf Foundation is a piece of my core. Again, thank you for being a part of my journey thus far. Playing college golf has always been a goal of mine. It’s one of my major steps in life, but it is not the end. It’s the beginning of a new adventure. Your endless support, guidance, and encouragement have been truly appreciated and will be forever remembered in my heart.
Best Regards,
Nikki Chindavong

We wish you all the luck as you head to play golf at University Nevada Reno!

Morton Golf Foundation Joins County Optimist for the Robla School Giveaway

Morton Golf Foundation, First Tee- Greater Sacramento joined County Club Optimist Club for the Annual Robla School Giveaway.

On Saturday, August 6th at 9:00 a.m. approximately 150 local school children from kindergarten through 6th Grade in the Robla School District joined in the fun for a back-to-school giveaway. What a wonderful way to get the students and families from the surrounding area of Robla School District off to a great start for the coming school year starting August 15th

There were several partners there to make sure the families had school class information. Many volunteers were handing out backpacks filled with school supplies, and healthy and nutritious bags of food and even the school Nurse was on hand to answer any questions.


The fun continued around the school yard as a BBQ lunch was being served along with games and snow cones to get the excitement up for the new school year.


Several of the students received a new pair of PUMA athletic shoes to wear all through the year.

Nothing is better than the safe feeling you have on that first day of School.

31st Annual Junior Senior Funvitational

The 31st annual Junior/Senior FUNVITATIONAL was held at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on Friday, July 29, 2022.

Every year we gather for the Junior Senior Funvitational when an adult plays golf side-by-side with a junior player.

This is an opportunity that doesn’t happen often throughout the year which is why it is so special.

Morton Golf Foundation is a huge supporter of this event as it involves most of the junior players who are supported by Morton Golf Foundation all year long.

This year, Jack Fidler (2nd of left) was the PROUD recipient of the Marilyn & Bob Hughes Scholarship Award.

Jack will be attending Sierra College this fall and this scholarship will help him meet his college goals.

Thanks again to Marilyn Hughes for presenting this award to Jack Fidler at this year’s luncheon.

Marilyn & Bob Hughes have been volunteers with First Tee – Greater Sacramento for many years.

We are already looking forward to seeing Marilyn again next year at this “fun” event.

The 2022 Morton Golf Foundation Scholarship Winners Have Been Announced

April 1, 2022 was the deadline for graduating high school seniors to apply for a Morton Golf Foundation College Scholarship. At that time, 16 seniors applied and all 16 met the requirements to receive a scholarship.

These scholarships do not require the student to play golf in college. Morton Golf Foundation scholarships are based on the student’s high school achievements.

The 2022 total dollar amount awarded for 16 scholarships was $43,000.00.

All WINNING scholars were invited with their parents to a buffet dinner on Wednesday evening, May 18th to celebrate.

Each scholarship winner was asked their name, where they are headed to college, and what their major is. It was inspiring to hear each student share their goals and dreams with 150 Morton Golf Foundation donors in the room. We were so proud of them knowing these are our future leaders. These students will be making world decisions in our lifetime.

Morton Golf Foundation wishes them well as they head to their next adventure.

25th Annual Haggin Oaks FREE Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast

The 25th Annual Haggin Oaks Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast was a huge hit!

After 2 years of not having this event due to COVID-19 everyone at Morton Golf wanted to make sure this year was a HUGE success.

Easter morning moved fast.

Over a dozen junior golfers arrived at 8:00 a.m. to help layout 6,000 plastic eggs.  They needed to make sure all age categories between 0 -10 had their share of plastic eggs along with several plastic eggs with a WINNING ticket inside for a prize.  Your prize consisted of either a stuffed bunny rabbit, junior backpack or a junior golf club.  While the families waited for the much anticipated egg hunt at 11:00 a.m. sharp they enjoyed a FREE pancake breakfast cooked by Chef Blanca at Haggin Oaks. Then it was on to participate in the sidewalk chalk area to write your name so the Easter Bunny knew You were there. Several families had the opportunity to have their picture taken with the live bunny.

At 10:59 and 50 seconds we all counted down to when the “egg hunt” started.

Easter morning ended with smiles and happy family shouting, “See you next year!”. Thanks again to Morton Golf family for never forgetting to give back to our community.



Now is the Time to Apply For Morton Golf Foundation 2022 College Golf Scholarships

Attention all graduating high school seniors! Now is the time to apply for a 2022 College Golf Scholarship from Morton Golf Foundation.

In an effort to recognize high school seniors that have played on a high school golf team, been a member of the First Tee – Greater Sacramento, or worked at a golf facility during their high school years you are eligible to apply for a 2022 Morton Golf Foundation college scholarship.

This scholarship does not necessarily mean that you will be playing golf in college. Winning this scholarship is recognition for your achievements during your high school years.

To apply for the Morton Golf Foundation College Scholarships please go to our website: www.mortongolffoundation.org


Click on Rules & Regulations
Click on Scholarship Application

The completed scholarship application must be returned to Morton Golf Foundation, ATTENTION: Jane Siebers, 3645 Fulton Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95821 on or before April 4th, 2022. Feel free to either mail to the above address or drop it off at Haggin Oaks Pro Shop.

Any questions or concerns please contact:

Morton Golf Foundation
ATTN: Jane Siebers
jsiebers@hagginoaks.com
(916) 808-0969

All WINNING College Scholarship winners will be invited to a recognition dinner the evening on Wednesday, May 17th at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. This is the time to acknowledge our scholars, take pictures and let our friends and family see and hear about these accomplishments.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Where Are They Now? Natalie Groom

We were able to catch up with Morton Golf Foundation 2019 College Scholarship Recepient, Natalie Groom to find out what she’s been up to since we last spoke.

How did the College Scholarship help you personally?

It aided me in the past to be debt free so far in my college years. I am now in my Junior Year at Wayne State University in Detroit, Ml


Please let us know how you are doing.

I am doing well. I have had a great college experience playing on the Women’s Golf Team and my academic path to a marketing career.

How have you used the tools from the game of golf in your everyday life?

Golf has taught me many life lessons that keep me going when life presents obstacles.

Are you or have you played golf on a college team? For which college team? If not, are you continuing to play the game recreationally?

This is my 3rd year playing for Wayne State University. I have opportunities to play across the country by being with the team

Are you giving back to your community or looking forward to using your skills for making a difference with others in your future?

My college golf team volunteers in Michigan at the Humane Society. We have a wonderful team camaraderie.

Thank you so much Natalie . We look forward to your continued success.

Where Are They Now? – Ari Samuel

How did the Youth Development Grant help your junior golf development?

The Youth Development Grant helped me to be able to play in more events and grow within the game. I would not have been able to get better and obtain the experience that I did without this grant because my family and I simply could not afford to play in a bunch of tournaments.

How did the College Scholarship help you personally?

The scholarship tremendously helped me get started in school. Receiving various partial scholarships all added up and allowed me to purchase books and cover some of my outstanding fees such as a meal plan.

Please let us know how you are doing.

I am doing great! My team and I won our conference championship last season and I graduate in one semester! I just received honors by making the Dean’s list last semester and after I graduate I plan to attend graduate school.

How have you used the tools from the game of golf in your everyday life?

I have used the tools I have gained from golf in my everyday life because these qualities shaped me into who I am today. The perseverance, patience, and determination I gained from playing golf for all these years have helped me in and out of the classroom by being able to complete deadlines and I will continue to use my leadership and communication skills once I enter the work field.

Are you or have you played golf on a college team? For which college team? If not, are you continuing to play the game recreationally? Please share any special college golf or college experiences with us.

I currently play on the University of West Georgia Women’s golf team and the most special event that took place was definitely receiving our championship ring! We won the championship by one stroke and we were recognized as a team at one of our home football games.

Are you giving back to your community or looking forward to using your skills for making a difference with others in your future?

I definitely am giving back to my community and I plan to continue doing so. I am continuously teaching minority youth about the importance of this game and being living proof of how far the game could take you. I volunteer my time over the summers when I come home to different organizations such as One Swing Golf Academy and Black Child Legacy which both focus on teaching minority youth the basics of the game and providing them with the opportunity to play.

Thank you Ari, for letting us know what you’ve been up to. Congratulations on your Championship!

Where Are They Now? – Katie Harris

We recently spoke with Kattie Harris, one of the Morton Golf Foundation’s Youth Development Grant recipients, about what she’s been up to since we last saw her.

How did the Youth Development Grant help your junior golf development?

The grant gave me a lot of opportunities to decide what I wanted to do after High School

Please let us know how you are doing.

I am now in my Junior year at Portland State on a golf scholarship. Due to COVID I will stay in school for the 5th year and work on my Masters and continue to play on the golf team. I am aiming at a double major in Economics & Political Science with a Minor in Business.

How have you used the tools from the game of golf in your everyday life?

Golf gave me confidence. I would not be the person I am today without golf in my life.

Are you or have you played golf on a college team? For which college team?

Yes. I play on the Women’s Golf Team at Portland State

Are you giving back to your community or looking forward to using your skills for making a difference with others in your future?

In Portland, OR I am teaching junior golf at a local club. I automatically teach First Tee’s 9 core values without thinking because that is how I live my life.

Thank you so much Katie for letting us know what you’ve been up to. We look forward to your continued success.

Where Are They Now? – Thomas Coppola

We are starting a new column here with our Morton Golf Foundation scholarship recipients. First up is Thomas Coppola. Let’s take a look at what he’s been up to:

How did the College Scholarship help you personally?

It helped me afford my textbooks for my first year of college.

Please let us know how you are doing.

I ended up graduating from the University of Idaho with a B.S in business and my full class A PGA status. I am now working in Roseville At GOLFTEC as a personal instructor

How have you used the tools from the game of golf in your everyday life?

Golf is a game of patience and using patience is key in the workforce for dealing with students and other guests.


Are you or have you played golf on a college team? For which college team? If not, are you continuing to play the game recreationally? Please share any special college golf or college experiences with us.

I continue to play golf on most days off. It’s a game that I enjoy playing for fun or competitively with most friends.

Are you giving back to your community or looking forward to using your skills for making a difference with others in your future?

I feel like I’m giving back as being a mentor to some of my younger students who are in high school playing, or getting ready to play, on their golf teams.

Thank you so much Thomas! We look forward to following your career wherever it may take you.