junior golf Archives - Morton Golf Foundation

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

Mini Golf Night Organized by Ietetsu Ueyama Dubbed “Ueyama Fundraiser”

18-Year-Old Ietetsu Ueyama Organizes Fundraiser to Benefit Junior Golf Development Programs With Morton Golf Foundation

At the age of 8 a junior golfer, Ietetsu Ueyama, decided he wanted to host a birthday party at Haggin Oaks, but he didn’t want his friends to give him a gift. He asked that his friends give a donation toward Morton Golf Foundation to support junior golf. The day ended with Ietetsu donating $455.00 to Morton Golf Foundation so another junior golfer could have the opportunity to play the game. More recently, Ueyema organized a mini golf night.

Ten years later, on July 17^th, 2023, Ietetsu Ueyama, now 18 years old wanted to create another fundraiser to support Morton Golf Foundation. With all proceeds going to support junior golf development grants and grow their game through tournaments, coaching, and equipment.

For the past 4 months, Ietetsu has been using his great personality and skills by asking his friends and families for support in growing his next fundraiser.

Ietetsu has been a volunteer for Morton Golf Foundation since he has been 4 ½ years old. At that time, he attended an “Easter Egg Hunt” at Haggin Oaks and decided that day that he was going to volunteer. For the past 14 years, Ietetsu has been an active volunteer in helping raise funds to give back to other non-profits to grow the game of golf. When he turned 18, he decided that he wanted to give back into adulthood and called the Morton Golf Foundation to discuss his newest adventure with creating his next fundraiser. The idea come about at a Committee meeting to have a Mini Golf Night knowing that whoever he asked to participate could join in whether they played golf or not.

On Monday evening, July 17^th the fundraiser kicked off with 7 putting teams participating along with several donors that provided the opportunity for a junior to participate.

30 participants gathered in the 107-degree heat starting at 5:00 p.m. One participant was quoted as saying, “We had so much fun at the event that I don’t remember how hot it was.”

As the evening came to an end, a wonderful catered dinner was provided in the Pavilion Tent by his family, owners of Shoki Ramen House, 2530 21^st Street, Sacramento.

The Winning team was won by Kelli Corlett, Ellis Morton, Evan Morton, Kenny Castro & Alex Cooper with a score of only 26 putts.

This year Ietetsu’s fundraiser will donate nearly $2,000 to support future junior golf development grants!

Frank LaRosa, a friend and board member of Morton Golf Foundation was the emcee of the event. Frank interviewed Ietetsu and asked if he would wait another 10 years to do a fundraiser since he did one at age 8 and age 18. Ietetsu answered back, “I’ll do one every year”.

Are hats are off to our friend IETETSU UEYAMA for believing in the mission and organizing a thrilling mini-golf night. It is philanthropy like his that continues to help all ages of people through this amazing sport of golf, character building, and competition for a lifetime.

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.

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!

Morton Golf Foundation supports The First Tee of Greater Sacramento Jr/Sr Funvitational

Friday, June 29th was another huge success when the Jr/Sr Funvitational was held at Haggin Oaks.

114 golfers gathered as each twosome was paired with a junior & senior player.

The competition was high as each foursome was playing for the “Team Spirit” award. This award builds sponsorship & camaraderie among players. Scott Smith & Natalie Groom won this award as they dressed up as a Masters golf caddie & PGA professional golfer (picture attached in next email). Every twosome participating was worthy of winning this award.

After all the golfers teed off in the 7:30 a.m. shotgun start the Morton Golf Foundation went to work on building their golf cart limo float. Their chosen theme this year was “Celebrate America”. As they approached each foursome on the course they introduced themselves & then asked if they wanted a snack. In order to win a snack you had to answer a question & be “Smarter than a 3rd grader”. Sample questions: How many stars on the American flag? What is our National bird? Which of our 50 states is the largest?
It was pretty entertaining & luckily we knew all the answers.

Get your “Team Spirit” twosome together for next June & we will see you there!

Happy 4th of July as you “Celebrate America” from your friends at Morton Golf Foundation!