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The PGA Tour golfer spent time with the young golfers, who also received gifts for themselves and their families

PGA Tour golfer Collin Morikawa and U.S. Bank recently joined nonprofit Youth on Course to surprise 11 lucky young golfers, ages 9 to 16, who participate in Youth on Course programs in Los Angeles.

U.S. Bank has teamed up with Morikawa to support a special birdie challenge this year. For each birdie he makes during the 2023 PGA Tour regular season and playoffs, U.S. Bank will donate funds to cover the cost of five memberships to Youth on Course, which provides its members access to rounds of golf for $5 or less at nearly 2,000 participating courses nationwide. The organization also helps young people with job training through its Careers on Course and college scholarship programs.

U.S. Bank has worked with Youth on Course to find young people who will benefit the most from these memberships, and a select group of these young golfers were surprised by Morikawa and his caddie Jonathan Jakovac.

The youth golfers thought they were at the course to hit a few balls and make a video thanking Morikawa for his support of the Youth on Course program, but instead, Morikawa surprised them by riding up on the range picker and challenging the flabbergasted young people to a putting competition.

“I like golf because you can have your own time, it’s fun and I make friends. I only made one putt, but it was exciting,” said young golfer Aria Love.

The winner of the putting competition, 14-year-old Cameron Wei said he likes golf because it’s unique.

“It’s a new experience every round that we play, and we get to see new things each time,” Wei said. “Thanks to Youth on Course, I get to play golf with my younger brother three to four times a week during the summer. The discounts they offer really help a lot because we can play whenever we want.” 

When asked what message he would give to Morikawa, who Wei said is his favorite player because he’s from Los Angeles just like him, he said, “Make more birdies; we need more Youth on Course memberships.”

Morikawa and Jakovac spent one-on-one time with each of the young players. Wei won a new putter and all the young golfers in attendance received Team Morikawa gear and tickets to the U.S. Open from the U.S. Bank Good Truck.

The kids were happy to meet their hero, but the parents were even happier to be able to attend the championship tournament, where Morikawa tied for 14^th place.