Respected for pioneering junior golf programs since 1952, the San Diego County Junior Golf Association in 2002 celebrated 50 years of commitment to enriching the lives of youth through the game of golf. With this opportunity to reflect on our long-standing success in positively influencing thousands of young people who have participated in Junior Golf, the Association is forging forward for the next 50 years.

Junior Golf has helped influence the lives of thousands of San Diegans and many generations of families who credit their early, but lasting Association experience with later success as business and civic leaders, parents, and individual citizens. It is the principles they learned then that continue to influence their lives today.

After shuttling kids to and from Los Angeles to play in junior tournaments, John Brown and an original group of 50 young players started their own tournaments at the then Mission Valley Country Club in 1952. Two years later John asked a friend, Lou Smith, to take over day-to-day operations, which she did as Executive Secretary until 1986. John Brown became and remained President of the San Diego County Junior Golf Association for the next 33 years, then handed responsibility over to Norrie West, who remained President until 1993. Lou Smith passed on the torch to her daughter-in-law Joan Smith, who served the Association and its members for 40 years before retiring in the year 2000.

They, and a group of loyal volunteers gave kids the chance to play affordable golf and grow as individuals along the way. The original charter of the Association designed by John Brown and Lou Smith has remained relevant-and held up for 50 years:

Through the game of golf and its intrinsic values of sportsmanship, discipline and integrity, the San Diego County Junior Golf Association's mission is to enrich the lives of youth through education, training and competition.

	Phil Mickelson PGA TOUR - "It's hard to overstate how much the SDJGA has meant to me as a person and as a player. At an early age I developed respect for fellow competitors and for the game. I learned how to win honorably and, I think, how to lose gracefully. Whether we're talking about the game of golf or life, those lessons are key building blocks for young people."
	Scott Simpson PGA TOUR - "I have many great memories of playing in Junior Golf, but the most important thing to me was making lifelong friends, learning how to compete with other fine players and just enjoying the thrill of playing tournament golf at home."
	Craig Stadler Champions TOUR - "I owe so much of what I have to Junior Golf. I really enjoyed playing with kids my own age and learning how to be competitive."
	Chris Riley PGA TOUR - "San Diego Junior Golf Association gave me the opportunity and training as a youngster to learn to play, compete and create friendships all over San Diego County. I would not be on the PGA TOUR without the experiences I gained while playing in the junior golf program."
	Pat Perez, PGA Tour - "My dad was my biggest influence for getting me to join San Diego Junior Golf Association and keeping me going. He pointed me in the direction and I took over. I wanted to keep playing. The best part of San Diego Junior Golf is that you make more friends playing golf."