A note from Keenan Barber, Mission Hills CC
I wish I started sooner.
How many times have you heard someone say that about taking up the game of golf? Imagine the skill, the swing, the low handicap. Now imagine giving that kind of head start to someone else—someone young, eager and just waiting for a shot.
That’s what we’ve been doing at Mission Hills CC for the past 15 years.
It started simple. A few of us in the men’s club thought, “What if we invited just one junior golfer to play in our annual tournament?” No banners, no fanfare—just a tee time and a chance. Now, every year since 2010, we’ve welcomed one SCGA Junior golfer to play alongside us. And every year, that single presence quietly changes the day.
You hear it in conversations at lunch. You feel it walking 18. These kids are talented, respectful and grounded. They remind us of what the game teaches: patience, humility and community.
Some have gone on to play in college. One is now an assistant pro at Thunderbird CC. Another is studying at UC Boulder. Most just needed someone to open a door.
What started as one invitation turned into something more. Year after year, our members began pooling donations—nothing fancy, just passing the hat around during the tournament. And together, over time, we’ve raised over $30,000 for the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation.
Those funds directly support access to the game for youth across Southern California—providing coaching, equipment, course access and mentorship to help them thrive both on and off the course. The impact goes is mutual as the tournament has created a culture of connection between generations and players who might never have crossed paths otherwise.
If you’re part of a club and wondering how to give back without reinventing your tournament calendar—this is it.
Keep your event. Invite one junior. Let them play. If your group feels moved to donate, even better. The SCGA Junior Golf Foundation will match you with a deserving young golfer and handle the logistics. All you need is a tee time and a willingness to make room. Reach out. You’ll be glad you did. We’d love to help you get started.
Atticus and Adriel Sajor with Keenan Barber.
SCGA Juniors, Adriel and Atticus Sajor, attended Keenan Barber’s Annual Men’s Club Tournament at Mission Hills CC.
