Third Annual Capital Cup Challenge Supporting Morton Golf Foundation Life & Skills Academy was a Success

The 3rd Annual Capital Cup Challenge was held at William Land Golf Course under perfect conditions.  The event was kicked-off on Wednesday, December 1st with a practice round to get everyone geared up for the competition the following day. 

The sun was shining bright, the wind was low and the golf course was in perfect playing condition.

There were 8 City Elected Officials wearing blue shirts playing a 2-person scramble golf match against the 8 County Elected Officials wearing red shirts.

CITY TEAM (Blue Shirts):                                COUNTY TEAM (Red Shirts):

Rick Jennings                                                   Donald Terry

Katie Valenzvela                                             Garrett Gatewood

Darrell Steinberg                                            Patrick Kennedy

Kevin McCarty                                                Rick Launey

Lauren Hammond                                           Brian Cooley

Steve Cohn                                                      Nancy Bui Thompson

Rob Fong                                                         Mike Kozlowski

Jay Schenirer                                                   Stephanie Nguyen

When the 9-hole match finished the County -vs- City was tied 2 – 2 .  It was time for a putt off match on the putting green.

The 2 County Elected Officials winning the final putt for the County team were Nancy Bui Thompson and Brian Cooley.

A new 2021 plaque will be added to the perpetual trophy that will now move to the County’s territory.  For the past 2 years, this tournament was won by the City teams until now.

The dollars raised for the past 3 years go toward the construction and sustaining the Morton Golf Foundation Life & Golf Skills Academy at Hiram Johnson High School.  The Community Services Project funds raised will be used for the construction project installing Phase 1 of the Stadium concept which will benefit all students & the community in the Hiram Johnson neighborhood.  The Hiram Johnson community will have the opportunity to participate not only in the after school golf programs but also throughout the summer months.

Our hope is to have construction in 2022 and by this event next year we’ll kick it off with hoping that everyone participating has had the opportunity to tour the new Life & Golf Skills Academy at Hiram Johnson High School.

Junior Golf Marathon “100 Holes of Golf” Held at Bing Maloney on Saturday, November 6

Bing Maloney Golf Course hosted the Morton Golf Foundation’s “100 Holes of Golf on Saturday, November 6.

From the moment we drove in the entrance of Bing Maloney Golf Course & saw the “Welcome Junior Golf Marathon” on the marquee we knew it was going to be a great day.

30 juniors, families & friends gathered to play “100 Holes of Golf” on the E9 as a fundraiser to support the 2022 Junior Golf Development Grant program.

The juniors themselves go out to gather donations as many of them also receive funds & benefits from this program. This is a very rewarding way for these juniors to help pay it forward.

This was a day the juniors could just play the game, laugh with friends & not turn in a golf score.

Every player today was a Winner.

Not only in the prizes & fun on the course but off the course as they represent Morton Golf Foundation & the core values we all live by.

The event ended with new friendships made over lunch in the Maloney Grille as everyone looks forward to next year’s “100 Holes of Golf”.

2021 Morton Golf Foundation Scholarship Winners Celebrated at Golf & Guitars

On Monday, October 18th, 2021 the 20 Scholarship WINNERS for Morton Golf Foundation were invited to go on stage and be recognized for their high school achievements through the game of golf.

The scholarship winners are awarded dollars to use to future their education.  They are not required to play golf in college to receive this scholarship.

This year with “Golf & Guitars” being held in October due to COVID-19 many of the 20 scholarship winners were already at school.

Their parents were invited to come to “Golf & Guitars” and cheer when their child’s name was announced.  It’s fun to see the picture where there are so many different ages because the parents are present in our 2021 scholarship picture.

Congratulations to all of our scholarship winners!

Jaden Dmdumaya Wins Regional Qualifier of The Drive, Chip and Putt National Competition

Morton Golf Foundation junior golfer, Jaden Dumdumaya wins his way to the final Drive, Chip & Putt National Competition the Sunday before The Masters in Augusta, CA in 2022. 

This event is a combined effort of The Masters, USGA and PGA and is free to all participating juniors.

Jaden always had a dream of winning this competition since he starting competing in the Drive, Chip & Putt at the age of 7.

He finally won his age level of Boys, 14 – 15 on Sunday, September 26th, 2021 at the Regional Qualifier with his final putt in front of his family & friends.

Next stop . . . The Masters to compete in the final Drive, Chip & Putt on April 3rd, 2022 the Sunday before The Masters.

Continued good luck, Jaden!

Morton Golf Foundation Supports First Tee-Greater Sacramento at Pure Insurance Championship

Morton Golf Foundation was thrilled to support our First Tee of Greater Sacramento Junior Golfers at the PURE Insurance Championship this week. 

Nikki Chindavong,  Hannah Harrison, Ethan Liu, Ellie Sand & Haley Wong were the 5 talented junior golfers from First Tee -Greater Sacramento chosen to play in the PURE Insurance Championship this week. 

The fun began on Tuesday evening at a Pairings Party when they found out which Champions PGA TOUR player they were paired with.  Then it was off to practice rounds on both Pebble Beach Golf Links & Spyglass Hill.  The first day of the tournament was Friday & Ethan Liu & Nikki Chindavong had tee times at Pebble Beach.  One of the most scenic golf courses in the world.

Saturday these juniors play their next round in hopes of being in the Championship foursome on Sunday the final day.

It’s so rewarding to see fans come out to cheer on junior golfers from around the United States.

Check out the fun picture below when Nikki Chindavong was coming off of Hole #3 as Ethen Liu was finishing Hole # 16. The Sacramento cheering section gathered for a group shot with both junior golfers.

Continued good luck to the First Tee – Greater Sacramento junior players on and off the course.   We are all very proud of these young adults as they make contacts & friends this week that they will carry on into their future.

Austin Smotherman Morton Golf Foundation Alumnus Earns PGA Tour Playing Card

What fun watching our past Morton Golf Foundation 2012 College Scholarship Winner play in his 1st PGA TOUR tournament in the Fortinet Championship, Silverado Country Club, Napa, CA on September 16 – 19, 2021.

We all remember on his 13th birthday when he was hitting long drives at The First Tee Bodycraft charity golf tournament at Granite Bay Golf Club.

Another Morton Golf Foundation alumnus, Richie Gibbs was quoted as, “When I, my brother Alex & Austin were little we would play golf at Indian Creek Golf Course in Loomis, CA and pretend that we were on the PGA TOUR. Austin this week was not pretending. He has arrived.

Austin made the cut in his 1st appearance as a PGA TOUR Professional in front of family & friends. He had the biggest cheering crowd that we could see on the course. His wife Jesse of 5 years was there as they now reside in Dallas, TX where Jesse works in the fashion industry.

In 2012, Austin graduated from Del Oro High School in Loomis, CA, and was awarded a Morton Golf Foundation College Scholarship. He was then off to play college golf all 4 years at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

When we ask a junior golfer what they want to be when they grow up many of them answer, “On the PGA TOUR”. This proves it can happen.

Let’s continue to cheer Austin on as he continues his PGA TOUR career ahead from all his Sacramento fans!

The Putting Party represents everything wonderful about the Great Game of Golf!

Outside in the fresh air, friends getting together, music playing, the sound of laughter, raising Funds for some of Sacramento’s best charities.  “The Putting Party” is back and better than ever. 

We were so honored to have our two celebrities on hand to enhance the evening.  Kevin Patton told his story of golf literally “Saving His Life” through the PGA HOPE Program.  Kevin continues to feel good as he enjoys golf each week and competes at a national level in the Para Golfer Competitions.  Kevin Sutherland, PGA Tour Champions Member, and Morton Golf Foundation Board Member were also on hand.  As always, Kevin shared his extensive golfing knowledge and showed us all how to really putt.  

Although the real winner is Charity, the players enjoyed some friendly competition.  Congratulations to team CBS TV/CW 31 Double Eagles for taking home the golf with an amazing 8 under par 28.  Team Mel Rapton Honda took the silver at 7 under par, 29. 

Everyone had a blast and we are excited to keep this tradition going for years to come.

Great Friends and Competitors – Jack Fidler and Kenny Castro

Jack Fidler and Kenny Castro have been friends and competitors on the First Tee Junior Tour, JTNC, JGANC & volunteers with Morton Golf Foundation for the past 4 years.

Both junior boys are 17 years old.
Both boys come from a long line of golfers in their families.
Both boys have different golf abilities but many times end up shooting the same score.

Kenny has been golfing since he has been 4 1/2 years old.
When he is not playing golf his next love is photography. Kenny recently helped out with a junior photography class this past summer at Jesuit High School where he is now a Junior.

Jack is in his senior year at Lincoln High School where he has played on their golf team all 4 years.
Jack’s interest when he’s not playing golf is theater & acting. In fact, this fall he is practicing for a lead role that will have their Opening Night in November.

As we look into the future we can’t wait to see how these junior leaders will be making their impact in their future.

Can’t wait to write that article.

Morton Golf Foundation Junior Jaden Dumdumaya Ties for 7th Place in State Fair Men’s Championship

Jaden Dumdumaya ties for 7th place in the State Fair Men’s Championship held at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.


On September 6th Jaden played in the State Fair Men’s Championship for the 2nd year as the youngest player.
This year Jaden had a 9:24 tee time in the final foursome & he is up for the challenge. His older brother Vohn age 29, is his Caddie who keeps him focused & his dad Stan is his Coach. Jaden is surrounded by many family & friends along with his Grandparents who try to make every match.

Jaden Dumdumaya, 15, from Fairfield, CA, and a sophomore at De La Salle High School has been a Morton Golf Foundation recipient of the Junior Golf Grant for the past few years.

We have watched Jaden grow through golf on and off the course. When he is not playing golf he volunteers and enjoys helping others.

Continued good luck to Jaden!

Special Honor for Special Olympian Jeremy McCarthy

Jeremy McCarthy of the First Tee California Eagles Group receives Special Olympics Honor

Left to right: Rob Siebers, President Tom Morton, Jeremy McCarthy, Tom Corlett, Kelli Corlett, and Jane Siebers

On Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 Special Olympics of Northern California surprised Jeremy McCarthy and Tom Corlett with an invite to the Special Olympic Games USA in Orlando, FL in June, 2022. The pair has participated in the Northern California Alternate Shot Competition with Special Olympics for the past 10 years.

Jeremy and Tom have a very special bond and have been in each other’s lives for the past 35 years. Jeremy’s mom and Tom’s wife are the closest friends and used to work together.


Jeremy and Tom co-coach one of the groups within the California Eagle Golf Program and have been for the past 11 years. The two make quite a pair and we could not be more happy and proud of them!

Jeremy began his golf career at the age of 6 with lessons from Golf Professional Dick McShane at Haggin Oaks.