Hundred Hole Hike

In August 2011, I came across an article a friend posted that featured Jim Colton, a golfer who walked 155 holes to raise over $110,000 for Ballyneal caddie, Ben Cox, who was paralyzed in a terrible ski accident. I was deeply moved and inspired by Jim’s actions, and felt eager to find out how I could be involved. Fast forward two years, this single act of kindness has launched into a nationwide event called the Hundred Hole Hike (HHH), an event raising over $400,000 for dozens of valuable charitable causes. I am thrilled to announce that this June, the HHH will be coming to the Bay Area!

On June 24, two of my closest golf buddies and I will be walking 100-plus holes at one of the best tracks around in Ballyneal Golf Club. Some of you may be asking, “What would possess someone to walk 100-plus holes in a single day (approximately equivalent to 6 rounds of golf or 45 miles)?” Simply put, I can’t think of a better way to take my passion for golf to raise awareness and money for organizations that make the local Bay Area community a better place for underserved youth, and to grow the game of golf. My goal is to raise a total of $10,000 for two incredible organizations:

- NCGA Foundation: Youth on Course

I started playing golf when I was 11 years old. My parents were refugees from Vietnam and working class people. There wasn’t a single golfer in my family, so no one could have predicted how big an impact golf would have on my life. Youth on Course is a program of the Northern California Golf Association Foundation that reaches out to diverse communities to ensure that all deserving youth receive the opportunity to enjoy this great game. The program ingrains core values including responsibility, honesty, perseverance and sportsmanship and gives access to low-income Bay Area youth to play dozens of golf courses for $5.

- East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC)

As a graduate student studying healthcare policy at the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy, I’ve become increasingly concerned with the growing rates of obesity amongst our youth. The East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC) serves all demographics of Oakland youth and strives to create a culture of wellness in Oakland schools by developing programs that bring healthier foods into local schools and encouraging kids to become more active. They are making an impact in Oakland neighborhoods and I’m proud to support them.

How can you get involved?

1) Pledge a donation on the HHH website. Click on my “pledge now” tab and donate to these worthy causes. Any amount, large or small, will make a huge difference! No donation is too small.
2) Follow me (@vansnguyen) and the Hundred Hole Hike (@100holehike) on Twitter and Facebook for updates on the event.
3) Tell your friends! Please share my link with your friends and through social media.

Thank you for all your support! Your encouragement and well wishes are greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to the challenge!

–Vans Nguyen

Bay Area Pinseekers Golf Club Supports Youth on Course

The Bay Area Pinseekers GC held a silent auction during their recent Annual Meeting and wanted to give something back to the sport and kids who are trying to get into it. Through the generosity of some local courses and their members, they were able to raise $1,045 for Youth on Course. Courses that contributed included Poppy Ridge, Wente, Callippe Preserve, Metropolitan, Diablo Creek, Roddy Ranch, and Hiddenbrooke.

Bay Area Pinseekers Golf Club

Pictured from left to right:

Monterey Pines Golf Association

Thanks to Monterey Pines Golf Association’s Club President Charles Johnson for visiting Poppy Hills GC today to present club champion and NCGA Assistant Director of Course Rating, Otis Goodwin,  his trophy. Monterey Pines Golf Association recently selected Youth on Course as its charity partner. We appreciate the support of all of their members.

NCGA Foundation Pro-Am Presented By Club Car, Aug. 17 At Spyglass Hill

The NCGA Foundation held its 10th annual Pro-Am on Friday, August 17 at Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach. Proceeds from the Club Car-sponsored event will help youth in Northern California develop life skills and values though the Foundation’s Youth on Course program.

Four-man teams were paired with a local professional in a modified shamble format in which each team selected the best drive of all five members. Each individual then played his or her own ball from there through the completion of the hole.

The InterWest Insurance Services team won the Pro-Am gross title with a 61. Team members included Pat Hoffman, Shawn Blofsky, Tony Pozas, Eric Blofsky, and professional Mick Soli. Club Car finished second, one stroke back. Dave Nelson, Kevin Rosa, Eric Andrews, Scott Hoyt and professional Ashley Marsay made up the team.

The Monument Administrators team captured the net title, posting a 52 with the aid of professional Jason Owen. Team members were Dave Bramwell, Jim Smallwood, LJ Bettalagies, and Mike Der Manouel. The Viking Steel team, which included Dan Hansford, Bob Nebozuk, Jay Clifton, Brian Morse and professional Todd Fischer, took second after carding a 53.

Jason Schumhl fired a 69 to win the professional division. Todd Fischer netted second place with a 70.

YOC participant Sebastian Crampton – alternate in U.S. Open

Youth on Course participant Sebastian Crampton made the golf world buzz during U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying at TPC Harding Park Monday morning. The sixteen-year-old Pacific Grove resident had a share of the 18-hole lead after his first round 6-under 66. Crampton’s second round of 1-over 73 put him one stroke away from potential qualification. Instead, he sits as second alternate for the U.S. Open field.

2nd Annual NCGA Foundation Director’s Cup

YOC announces $50k in college scholarships for 2012

Scholarships are available to all Northern California high school seniors who will attend a four-year college or university and are Youth on Course members.

Teaching life skills through golf (Contra Costa Times)

Oakland Tribune Columnist Tammerlin Drummond recently wrote an article about Sistas on the Links and the Richmond Youth on Course Program. The article details the impact the program is having on the community and the Richmond Country Club.

Read the full article

Letter from Paul Morton, NCGA Foundation President

Dear NCGA Members,

Five years ago, everything I knew about the NCGA fit in my back pocket it was the card that had my handicap on it.

Today, I have a much better sense of our Association, which provides a range of member benefits and competitive opportunities a roster second to none, as you might expect from one of the largest regional golf associations in the country.

Here’s something you might not expect: the NCGA Foundation, operating as the charitable arm of the Association, is changing lives. That’s right-no hyperbole here-we have already reached some 30,000 kids, using golf to offer development opportunities to deserving youth. And kids are saying “yes” to that opportunity. It’s all under the umbrella of our program, Youth on Course.

The Millennials: Youth Development, Golf, Philanthropy

Northern California natives Jason Goldman, Matthew Goldman and Chris Qvale discuss their passion for golf and the need to share this passion with Northern California’s youth. They feel that giving back and supporting worthwhile causes is crucial to making the world a better place. Join them in helping to get Youth on Course.