Morongo Charity Golf Tournament Raises Over $150,000 for Groups Serving San Gorgonio Pass Youth, Preserving Native Culture

The annual tournament held at the championship Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon has provided more than $2.8 million to local non-profits over the past 28 years.

BEAUMONT, Calif.  – Hundreds of golfers from across Southern California took to the fairways at the 28th Annual Morongo Charity Golf Tournament to raise money for local youth, and to help safeguard Indian children and tribal culture.

The two-day tournament kicked off Monday, October 21 at the beautiful Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, raising $100,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, $25,000 for the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), and $25,000 for California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at California State University, San Marcos.

(left to right)  Dr. Joely Proudfit, CICSC Director; James Siva, Morongo Vice Chair; Jaylee Martin, CICSC student; Dr. Eric Tippeconnic, CSUSM AIS Faculty Member; and Mejaumi Franco-Rosales, CSUSM Tribal Liaison.  

“From creating positive pathways for local youth and families, to strengthening protections for tribal children and preserving the cultural history of local tribes, the organizations benefiting from this year’s Morongo Charity Golf Tournament each play a vital role in our communities,” said Morongo Tribal Vice Chair James Silva, co-chair of the tournament.

Megan Grisham, director of operations of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, thanked Morongo for its ongoing support, saying “Morongo’s generous contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs over these many years have helped thousands of local students and their families. We deeply appreciate the tribe’s support to those in need across the Pass.”

(left to right) Boys & Girls Club of the San Gorgonio Pass Director of Resource Development George Sinatra; Board member Steven Hovey; Chief Operating Officer Megan Grisham; Board member Linda Hanley; Chief Executive Officer David Epstein; and Morongo Tribal Councilman Brian Lugo

The tournament was held at 36-hole Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, the local home of the Southern California PGA and host to the annual IOA Championship on the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA.

“The significant work of the Boys & Girls Clubs, the National Indian Child Welfare Association and the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center serve to strengthen our region’s future while also preserving our past,” said Morongo Tribal Council Member Brian Lugo, a co-chair of the tournament. “We are grateful to the players and sponsors whose participation ensured our 28th annual Charity Golf Tournament was once again a resounding success.”

Morongo Vice Chair James Siva and Tara Reynon, Senior Program Director at NICWA

Launched in 1997, the Morongo Charity Golf Tournament has raised over $2.8 million to support dozens of local nonprofits that serve children, schools, veterans, and hospitals across the region.

About the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon

Set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain views, the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon offers 36 world-class holes, state-of-the-art practice facilities, outstanding amenities, and professional, personalized customer service. Ranked among the best courses in Southern California, Tukwet Canyon remains the regional home for the Southern California PGA, and host to the SCPGA Professional Championship. Since 2015, Tukwet Canyon has hosted the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA.