Identical twins Janae and Jasmine Leovao are climbing the ladder in golf … as a team

DARE YOU. Just try to tell Janae and Jasmine Leovao apart. The 21-year-old identical twins from Oceanside are longtime SCGA members who, after excelling on the Long Beach State women’s golf team, recently transferred to Eastern Michigan University (EMU).

“You can tell who’s who by our swings,” says Janae. “Plus, my game is steady and controlled. Hers has more creativity. She isn’t afraid to take aggressive lines.” Quips Jasmine, who is one minute younger: “We make a good four-ball team.”

Their father Jan initially taught them to play when they were 11, starting with putting at a local muni. They fell in love with the game, in part because it didn’t involve running like the other sports they were playing. Attending Pro Kids Golf Academy and The First Tee helped develop their skills. As did their father enlisting the help of local PGA Professional Dave Emerick, who founded the North County Junior Golf Association.

From there, their games advanced — in sync, of course. Janae finished runner-up at this summer’s SCGA Women’s Amateur Championship, which was held at Torrey Pines GC. Jasmine captured the SCGA Women’s Match Play Championship in 2024 — defeating none other than Janae in the final. That also led to her being honored as 2024 SCGA Women’s Player of the Year. This past April, she was named Big West Golfer of the Month for the fourth time in her college career. Plus, she’s claimed two Big West Championship titles.

Now they’re helping the EMU Eagles try to climb the NCAA rankings. Head Coach Josh Brewer credits their closeness as a reason for their success and is awed by “Jasmine’s ability to go low and win” and Janae’s talent, which “matches anyone I’ve coached.”

The twins both felt EMU was the right fit to help them realize their golf potential. That they could continue playing together only bolstered their decision to transfer to Ypsilanti. “Having my sister here has made everything so much easier, settling into campus and competing in tournaments,” says Janae. “It’s been a huge comfort knowing we’re doing this together. It’s really special. We push each other, but we also support one another through the ups and downs of college golf. I always have someone in my corner who understands me completely.”

Jasmine adds that the best part for her is having “a built-in best friend. We always have someone to talk to, laugh with and lean on throughout our journey here. Sharing memories like traveling to tournaments, practicing together and representing the same school is something we’ll cherish forever.”

EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES

It’s no surprise that these local legends were invited to compete in the 2023 and 2024 Wishbone Brawls at Goat Hill Park GC in Oceanside, which pits Tour pros versus celebrities. In 2023, the Leovaos played against Xander Schauffele and Geoff Ogilvy, and in 2024 Kelly Slater and Bill Murray. That they were invited to be part of this cool, six-player field speaks to their relevance in the area.

“At first it felt intimidating, but I’ve learned to see those experiences as exciting opportunities rather than pressure,” says Janae. “Playing in those taught me how to stay composed in big moments, and made me realize that I belong in those fields. Sharing those moments with Jasmine makes them even more fun.”

Jasmine found the events simultaneously nerve-wracking and exciting, but says she has “learned to embrace the feeling instead of letting it overwhelm me. Channeling that energy into focus, confidence and staying in the moment helps me enjoy the experience rather than fear it. These events have helped prepare us for the big stages.”

While both twins are majoring in business management, they also share common life values. Family is their priority, and their parents instilled humility, kindness and respect in them — on and off the course. Their collective mantra is to treat others well and make them feel comfortable and welcome.

Ultimately, both women say they yearn to play on the LPGA Tour. “I’d love to compete professionally,” says Janae. “No matter what, my goal is to keep growing as a player and a person through the game.”

Jasmine concurs, adding that even if she doesn’t advance to golf’s top level, the game “will always be an important part of my life. I hope to inspire the next generation.”

No doubt they’ll be rooting for each other all the way. But don’t be surprised if they end up earning Tour cards together.