FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
SCGA Junior
Home›SCGA Junior›An Afternoon With World No. 1

An Afternoon With World No. 1

By Julia Pine
May 15, 2017
5489
0
Share:

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Meet the person in the world who’s best at what you want to do with your life.

For Jasmine and Diamond Lew, two teenagers from SCGA Junior, they received that opportunity last week, when the two aspiring professional golfers spent time with Dustin Johnson, the No. 1 golfer in the world.

“It was phenomenal!,” said Diamond, 17. “To get to see him swing up close, learn about his swing mentality, ask him questions, it really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The siblings received the chance to spend time with U.S. Champ Dustin Johnson at the Friends of Golf Annual Golf Tournament, a world-class fundraising event that highlights FOG’s yearly activities. With more than 280 golfers participating in the tournament, which also includes a clinic, auction and fireside chat with Johnson, this year’s guest of honor, the organization was able to raise a record amount, all of which goes to supporting junior and collegiate golf. FOG, a prominent SCGA Junior donor and sponsor of the Instruction Program, has a passion for connecting their donors to the junior golfers who benefit from the funds raised, and each year invite two SCGA Junior participants to be involved in the clinic portion of the event.

“FOG, along with the SCGA Junior, select a local high school boy and girl who have demonstrated significant talent and a serious ambition in competitive golf, but may not have had the financial resources to participate at the high school level,” said tournament organizers. “Through the contributions of FOG, the sponsors and the players, these two young people are on scene to represent all the high school boys and girls, in similar situations, throughout Southern California.”

Friends of Golf has involved SCGA Junior in the clinic portion of the event for the past five years, where juniors have had the opportunity to have their swings diagnosed by special guests such as Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Butch Harmon, Bryson DeChambeau and SCGA Hall of Famer John Cook. This year, that special guest just happened to be the world’s top golfer. This year, the two juniors were selected because of their unique involvement with Bel-Air CC, where the event is held, and FOG Founder Eddie Merrins. As can be read in this Spring FORE story, the Lews were selected earlier this year as the first particiapants in the Merrins Legacy Program, a program developed in conjunction with legendary golf instructor and SCGA Hall of Famer Merrins to help young, talented golfer prepare themselves for the next level of the game.

Diamond and Jasmine have been taking weekly lessons with Merrins for months, and their close relationship with the Southern California golf legend was apparent at the clinic. To kick things off, the two teen golfers took shots in front of a gallery of nearly 200, battling nerves to impress the large crowd. Next up was Johnson, who started modestly with a 9-iron before tournament organizers asked him to pick up the driver. What occurred next was a number of 330-yard bombs.

“It was so cool to watch,” said Diamond. “And then after, to have the chance to talk with him one-on-one, that was amazing. He talked about just doing it, rather than trying to do it, when it comes to your swing. And I got to ask him about how to play smarter in tough situations. We thank SCGA Junior and FOG for all the support and love they’ve shown us. Without them, we never would have had such incredible experiences.”

Along with wowing the crowd at the clinic, Johnson was also on hand for photo opportunities throughout the day, and participated in a fireside chat with Jim Nantz after dinner, where the two legends discussed Johnson’s recent withdrawal from Augusta, his successful start to the season, as well as the upcoming birth of his second child, who is due right after the U.S. Open, where Johnson will aim to defend his title.

Previous Article

Titleist’s New $2,000 Wedge Set

Next Article

The Jewel of Red Hill CC

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Julia Pine

Since joining the SCGA in early 2011, Julia has worked to enhance members experiences on scga.org with fresh content, in-depth coverage of tournaments, videos, member engagement opportunities and more. She is the editor of the SCGA's FORE magazine and plusFORE digital magazine and handles the Association's growing social media program and media relations. Julia is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and grew up in Berkeley, Calif. For her, sports is not just a career, but a passion.

Related articles More from author

  • Fall 2018FORE HerProfilesSCGA Junior

    Beyond Her Years: A Perpetual Smile Pushes Dana Bryant to Succeed

    October 18, 2018
    By Hailey Tucker
  • SCGA JuniorSummer 2019

    An Unbreakable Bond

    July 25, 2019
    By Hailey Tucker
  • At The TurnFall 2023SCGA Junior

    Together in Golf: For the Rodriguez Family, the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation is a Reason to Stay in L.A.

    October 19, 2023
    By Joshua Jonah Fischman
  • SCGA Junior Ashleigh Park
    NewsSCGA Junior

    Youth on Course: Giving Back Through Golf

    January 1, 2015
    By Julia Pine
  • SCGA Junior Golf
    SCGA JuniorSpring 2016

    Growth Spurt: The Transformation of Ysabel Tran

    April 1, 2016
    By Julia Pine
  • SCGA Junior

    A Helping Hand: Legal Group Reaches Out to Assist YOC Program

    April 1, 2014
    By Julia Pine

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhousePublic AffairsSpring 2025

    Doing More With Less

  • At The TurnFeaturedSpring 2025Travel

    Irish Ayes

  • 19th HoleFeaturedSummer 2024

    A Feast for the Senses

  • At The TurnFeaturedSpring 2025

    Paint What You Play

  • At The TurnFeaturedSCGA JuniorSpring 2025

    Mr. & Mrs. Porter

FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSpring 2025

John Henebry

A Personal Remembrance Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. A ballroom at Desert IslandCC in the Coachella Valley pocket of Rancho Mirage. The “Celebration of Life” for my dear friend, my colleague, ...
  • Fun & Games

    By Kevin O'Connor
    May 15, 2025
  • Rule 25

    By Jimmy Becker
    May 15, 2025
  • Doing More With Less

    By Kevin Fitzgerald
    May 15, 2025
  • Original Wonder Woman

    By Joe Passov
    May 15, 2025
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise