PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club announced today that Jonathan Garrick, Patrick Grimes, Lauren Kim, and Michelle Xie were inducted into the Palo Alto Hills Junior Hall of Fame at a special event held at the Club in their honor on July 23rd.
Jonathan Garrick of Atherton, currently playing for UCLA, was the San Jose Mercury News Golfer of the year for all of his four years at St. Francis High School. Patrick Grimes grew up in Palo Alto, captained the Stanford men’s team and successfully passed the first round of qualifying for this year’s Men’s U.S. Open. Lauren Kim of Los Altos played on Stanford’s NCAA National Championship team and was one of three players on Team USA, winning gold at the World University Games in South Korea. Michelle Xie, a graduate of Palo Alto High School and headed to play golf at Harvard, won the Central Coast Section individual title.
These young athletes credit Palo Alto Hills Junior Golf program for giving them the opportunity to learn, practice, and play in a supportive environment from an early age. Palo Alto Hills offers children a program that builds character values, offers a fun and safe experience, and strives to instill confidence through personal achievement. Kids are taught basic elements of golf including full swing, short game, putting, rules and etiquette, and as they advance juniors have the opportunity to compete in tournaments and play on the travel team.
“Some of these players will turn pro. This is so exciting for them and it also shows how great a junior program we have,” said Eoin O’Neill, board president of the private country club in Palo Alto who presided over this ceremony. “Many thanks to Mark Sivara, our head pro, and his excellent staff of golf professionals who have contributed to teaching these young juniors the skills they need to be successful.” The ceremony event was attended by over 200 Club members and guests.
Each inductee was presented with a framed Club golf flag and has been listed on a Junior Golf Hall of Fame plaque in the main Clubhouse. General Manager, Dirk Zander commented, “Palo Alto Hills is proud to honor these young golfers and all our juniors who continue to show commitment and promise.”
About Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club
Set amongst the beauty of 128 acres of rolling hills and nestled next to the protected open space of the Arastradero Preserve, Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club offers incomparable Bay Area vistas. This welcoming and distinctive private Club provides challenging golf and year-round recreation and social activities, creating memories for a lifetime for members, their families and their guests.
