Youth on Course, the Foundation to Success: Easton Hether’s Story

At Youth on Course, our alumni represent the future of golf, and their stories are a testament to the power of opportunity, dedication, and passion. We are proud to give our alumni a platform to share their experiences, celebrate their achievements, and inspire the next generation of golfers. One of those alumni is Easton Hether, now a standout student-athlete at California State University, East Bay.

For Easton, golf has always been part of his story, even before he realized it himself. Reflecting on his earliest memories, he shares:

“I would do contests with my dad but I never knew what was going on. Little did I know I was getting a light introduction into a game that I would love. Even if I didn’t want to play, my dad didn’t mind, he would let me bring toys and coloring books and all the essentials for 3-year-old me. I was around the game way before I was truly aware.”

Those small, playful beginnings with his dad grew into a lifelong love for golf. By the time Easton joined Youth on Course, he was ready to dive deeper into golf.

Throughout his journey, golf was always about more than competition, it was about the lessons in sportsmanship, and building character. With that, Youth on Course played a huge role in his growth.

"Being able to play at diverse places with different conditions, challenges, and environments really shaped me as a golfer more than I realized at the time. It expanded my knowledge of how different courses play which is a big factor in competitive golf."

At CSU East Bay, Easton has already earned honors such as Male Student-Athlete of the Year and achieved a top-12 finish at Nationals.

What stands out most to him, however, are the shared successes with his team. “Golf is very individual, but in college, it is more than that. To be in an environment of people who are striving to be the best at the craft they are pursuing is inspiring. I have learned so much that goes beyond golf.”

Balancing academics and athletics is no small feat, but Easton embraces the challenge. "Balancing the demands of a student athlete all comes down to how you use your time. Time management is the key. Be productive."

We asked Easton to describe Youth on Course in one word and that for him is "Foundation".

"To be able to play that many rounds as a junior is something only I knew was important in my journey, in this game later than when I should've realized. It was the base I needed for wanting to play everyday and pursue it into college golf."

Looking ahead, Easton hopes to finish his final college season on a high note, breaking records, winning tournaments, and making memories with his team. Beyond golf, he plans to complete his degree and pursue a career in the golf industry. While he isn’t sure exactly where that path will lead, he knows it will keep him connected to the game that has been such a central part of his life. “I want to stay in golf and make an impact in the industry,” he said. “It’s been such a big part of my journey, and I can’t imagine not being involved in some way.”

On the topic of college golf dreams, Easton offered some great insight to our current members: 

"It would be to use Youth on Course as a tool. Playing golf for a discounted price is something you may not appreciate until later in life. So enjoy it well you can, play as much as you can, and the college golf dream will come to you."

Easton’s journey is one of many that prove how Youth on Course doesn’t just make golf accessible, it helps shape futures. We’re proud to have been part of the foundation that launched his story, and countless others like it.