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Team California (Southern) has announced its captains and coaches for the 2026 season, bringing together experienced leaders from junior golf, collegiate programs and professional tours to support the development of the region’s top junior golfers.
The duties of captains and coaches include oversight of player development, mentorship and competitive preparation as Team California (Southern) participants compete in regional and national events throughout the year.
Captains
Holly Kennedy, PGA - San Diego, CA
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Holly Kennedy brings decades of experience in junior golf and player development to Team California (Southern). A PGA professional since 2000, she played collegiate golf at UCLA and is the owner and operator of Emerald Isle Executive Course in Oceanside.
Kennedy has served as a board member of the San Diego Junior Golf Association for nearly 20 years and has played an administrative role in the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines. She was inducted into the San Diego Junior Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2024 and named the 2025 SCPGA Golf Professional of the Year.
Lizette Salas – Azusa, CA
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Lizette Salas brings a wealth of competitive experience to Team California (Southern), with a background that spans junior, collegiate and professional golf. A former SCPGA junior member, Salas was crowned victorious at the 2006 CIF Girls State High School Championship before continuing her career at the University of Southern California.
While at USC, Salas was a part of the 2008 NCAA National Championship team and earned Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors. She was later named Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2009 and 2011. Salas has competed on the LPGA Tour since 2012, earning two victories and representing the United States on five Solheim Cup Teams.
Coaches
Blake Jirges, PGA – Fullerton, CA
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Blake Jirges is the Director of Player Development at Cota de Caza Golf and Racquet Club and has earned statewide and national recognition for his teaching.
He was inducted into the California Teacher and Coach Hall of Fame in 2023 and has received multiple SCPGA teaching awards. Jirges has also been named a Golf Digest Best Young Teacher and recognized as a U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 instructor.
Bryana Nguyen, PGA – Irvine, CA
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Bryana Nguyen serves as Director of Instruction at El Niguel CC. A former collegiate golfer at the University of North Carolina, Nguyen competed professionally on multiple mini tours and the Epson Tour.
Her coaching background includes certifications focused on player development and youth instruction, supporting junior golfers at multiple stages of development.
Jon Schoepf, PGA – San Pedro, CA
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Jon Schoepf serves as Director of Instruction at Rolling Hills CC and has been recognized multiple times for his work as an instructor.
He has been named a Golf Digest Best Young Teacher on three occasions and was recognized as a U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Instructor in 2025. His work focuses on long-term player development and competitive preparation.
