8
❘
THE DIVOT
❘
OCTOBER 2018
●
JUNIOR GOLF
J
unior golf is exploding at El
Niguel Country Club. Because
of our excellent programs,
we are seeing an increase in
membership. Juniors are practic-
ing and playing more than ever
before, and more young female
golfers are getting into the game.
Junior golf definitely has a bright
future at El Niguel.
The programs at ENCC consist of
60-plus boys and girls, children and
grandchildren ages 4 to 17. As of this
year, we have an equal number of
boys and girls who are practicing
and playing on a consistent basis.
Just two years ago, that number was
3 to 1, boys to girls. With that
growth and success we are seeing
our junior golfers participate and be
highly competitive in golf tourna-
ments outside of El Niguel.
Jason Bannister (15), Lauren
Wahlstrom (16) and Sophia Wahl-
strom (11) are three of our young
golfers who make a huge effort to
participate at ENCC, but also play in
many golf events away from their
home course. These three golfers
provide a good snap shot of our jun-
ior golf programs. Here's a look:
> Jason Bannister is currently a
sophomore at Dana Hills High
School. Since January 2018, he has
played in 31 events and has com-
piled a scoring average of 76.23. He
has also qualified for the Toyota
Tour Cup Series and won in Califor-
nia and Indiana. Jason has finished
in the top three 10 times, winning
four of those events. Jason is getting
ready for his second season with
the DHHS golf team, which starts
this spring.
> Lauren Wahlstrom is currently
a junior at Dana Hills High School.
This year has been a year of personal
bests for Lauren. In February, she
shot a 64 at Newport Beach Golf
Course. In September, Lauren
posted a 72 at Dad Miller to win an
SCPGA event. Lauren is also a top
player for the DHHS Girls Golf
Team where she is wrapping up the
season hoping to secure another
league championship.
> Sophia Wahlstrom is having an
incredible 2018. At 11 years of age,
she is proving to herself and to oth-
ers that she is a force to be reckoned
with on the golf course. Over the last
seven months, she has played in
eight events, finishing in the top 3 in
all of them and taking first place
with a personal best 35 while win-
ning at Casta Del Sol in June.
These three golfers are a good re-
flection of not only our programs
but who our junior golfers are – they
are welcoming, nice, proactive, gen-
erous, courteous, and competitive
champions.
Junior golf at El Niguel has
become a successful endeavor that
is growing monthly. The next time
you are at the range, please take no-
tice of who is around. I'll bet you'll
see a lot of young golfers practicing
and having fun.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
■ JUNIOR GOLF PARTICIPATION AT EL NIGUEL
COUNTRY CLUB IS BOOMING • BY WADE WILSON, PGA
<< Jason Bannister and Lauren
Wahlstrom are just two of El Niguel
Country Club's standout junior golfers.
......................................................................
