2024 Tahoe Donner PGA Junior League Update

Tahoe Donner’s PGA Junior Golf Team (formerly Junior Golf Club) had a great season of fun, growth and lots of course time this past summer. With the help of long-time volunteers Russ and Jean Lai, Connie Kobayashi, Coach Molly Springmann, and assistant coaches Will Belden and Jake Reinhard, 27 young golfers further developed their skills and passion for golf.

Tahoe Donner PGA Junior League Team Members with Coach Molly Springmann

Tahoe Donner PGA Junior League Team Members with Head Coach Molly Springmann

PGA Junior League Players with Assistant Coach Will Belden.

2024 Season Stats:

• We had about 22 events, including matches, practice rounds, and other events.
• We had 14 Travel Team members last year. This year, we added a Development Team along with the Travel Team, which increased our number to 27 junior golfers.
• We had 3 dedicated volunteers Russ Lai, Jean Lai and Connie Kobayashi, along with our three coaches, Molly Springmann LPGA Lead, Will Belden Assistant and Jake Reinhard Assistant. Many parents also helped shuttle players on the course.
• Players improved their golf skills, etiquette and sportsmanship on the golf course (we didn’t keep track of wins and losses since the league is more focused on development).

Additional Season Highlights:

• Annual Tournament run by Russ and Jean Lai. All the kids had a blast and received multiple prizes.
• At the Barracuda, we met and got autographs from three professional golfers: Annika Sorenstam, Scott Piercy, and Neal Shipley (see photos below).
• The Travel Team played Ponderosa Golf Course, Grays Crossing, Martis Camp and Lahontan’s Par 3 course.
• The Travel Team participated in the PGA Jr. League All-Stars in Auburn.

PGA Junior League team member poses with legendary professional golfer Annika Sorenstam.

PGA Junior League Golfer meets professional golfer Neal Shipley.

Thank You to the Following for Their Help in Making it a Great Season:

• Sponsors – Tahoe Donner Women’s Golf Club, the Men’s Golf Club and the Nine Holers Golf Club (see photo below).
• Parents and families for supporting their players.
• Tahoe Donner Head Pro Jeff Hwang and Superintendent Ram Sena
• Our Volunteers Russ Lai, Jean Lai and Connie Kobayashi
• Our Coaches Molly Springmann, Jake Reinhard and Will Belden

PGA Junior League Team Members show their gratitude for their team sponsors!

Following a successful summer on the links, the Junior Golf Team is already looking forward to next season. Visit the website to learn more about the PGA Junior League at Tahoe Donner. Youth golfers can still sign up for Skills Clinics on Sundays from 3-4:30PM. Learn more here and sign-up for Post-Season Play Days here.