Since its founding, Friends of Golf (FOG) has raised over $11 million dollars to benefit junior golfers, boys and girls, who may not have had the economic resources to fully participate in golf but did have the desire and talent. Over time, FOG has focused on programs that have served to amplify those benefits.
Programs
FOG offers a number of programs that connect young, less advantaged boys and girls, with sponsors, donors, benefactors and volunteers who want to grow the game of golf.Programs
Scholarships
FOG continues to give special attention to the needs of high school boys and girls, who want to play golf, may have the required talent to play but lack the financial resources to participate.
Many high schoolers want to pursue their dreams of golf, but the reality is that most find that affording college becomes the next major hurdle for many of them. To that end, FOG entered into a number of scholarship programs with a variety of golf centric organizations: SCPGA, SCGA Junior and Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation during the last decade.
The sole purpose is to support the ambitions of young golf enthusiasts who want to continue on a path of golf, be it a career as a professional player or a member of the golf industry. The scholarships vary in size and are allocated specifically on the merits of the student and on the school of their choice. Currently, FOG has more than a dozen in existence.
Turn Wood and Iron into Gold (TWIG)
FOG launched its popular Turn Wood and Iron into Gold (TWIG) program in the 1990’s to provide pre-owned golf equipment to boys and girls interested in playing high school golf but who may not have the resources to participate. FOG receive pre-owned clubs, golf bags, putters, balls, shoes and gloves from interested FOG participants who have equipment languishing in attics and garages.
FOG distributes collected equipment through a number of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) sections–Los Angeles City, Southern and San Diego. The donated equipment goes directly to golf coaches who are struggling to field a competitive team.
Each year, FOG receives dozens of letters from students and coaches thanking FOG personally for their meaningful donation and acknowledging the importance of pre-owned equipment to their teams.