Young Golfers Shine at San Vicente’s PGA Junior League
The greens at San Vicente Resort have been buzzing with youthful energy this spring, as the PGA Junior League welcomes a new season of aspiring golfers. With clubs in hand and determination in their eyes, local kids are learning more than how to hit a golf ball; they are building sportsmanship, confidence, and a love for the game.
This year’s PGA Jr League has drawn an enthusiastic group of junior golfers eager to sharpen their skills under the guidance of experienced coaches in a supportive, scenic setting. The league started on Wednesday, May 14, with 36 junior golfers aged 6-14 participating. The program lasts six weeks, ending on June 25, and includes one practice and one match per week.
PGA Golf Professional Matt Brumbaugh says the goal is to have a good time. The first meeting on Wednesday started with the players getting to know the coaches—Tim Smith, Cody Snyder, Darryl Neff, and Sergio Saucedo—and was followed by team practice. Brumbaugh talked with the parents about what the next six weeks will look like for their players in the league.
The matches will be held on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 pm. Practice with Tim and Sergio will be on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 pm, and Cody and Darryl will be coaching on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 pm.
As parents awaited the start of practice, one mom, Krystal Gainey, was proud to talk about her son, Owen, age 9. Of her three boys, Owen is the only one participating in the league this year and is on Coach Sergio’s team. Krystal is married to PGA Professional Michael Gainey and is excited for this opportunity for her son to get involved in organized golf games, get more practice, and have fun. “That’s our sport,” says Krystal. Owen has played golf most of his life and says he loves to be outside and play the sport.
Chelsie Willingham, mother of three boys, watched her two oldest at the practice. Finley, 8, and Asher, 6, practiced in matching golf attire while their 15-month-old brother, Sawyer, explored the area. Chelsie says that Asher is obsessed with golf and can’t wait to play. They are excited to play year-round, and it will be nice to fill in the gaps while other sports are off-season. Her boys play baseball and soccer, and race mini dwarf race cars at Barona Speedway.
“We believe golf feeds into the racing field,” says Chelsie. Golf involves a lot of mental work, patience, and focus; these skills help with race car driving. Her boys realized that many NASCAR drivers play golf, and it really helps with hand-eye coordination, focus, and patience.
Her parents and the boys’ grandparents, Andrew and Vikki Dancan, live along the golf course in SDCE. Andrew is an avid golfer and is excited for his grandsons to have lessons and play with him in the future. Vikki was the previous owner of Ramona Beauty Supply and could be seen with her iconic red hair watching her grandsons practice.
Brumbaugh says the league is modified for the younger players, and he encourages parents to cheer on the kids and take photos. Some of the kids are new while others have experience. He says it’s not about the score or who won, it’s about having a good time and learning. “It gives kids an opportunity to keep improving,” says Brumbaugh.
Every swing comes with a little imagination and a lot of heart. The league isn’t just about teaching the basics of golf, although there is plenty of that; it’s about helping kids discover confidence and focus in and out of the game.
