In a world filled with school, activities, work, and countless responsibilities, golf has become a meaningful outlet for Youth on Course member Lali S.
Although Lali discovered golf later than many of her peers, she quickly fell in love with the game and the lessons it teaches. "I started by prioritizing and mastering my swing," she said. "Every round gives me the opportunity to learn something new."
The challenge of golf taught her patience in a way few other sports could. Every shot represents an opportunity to learn, improve, and keep moving forward. What makes the game especially meaningful, however, is the connection it gives her to her dad.
Lali's father loved golf and always hoped to teach her how to play. He passed away from cancer before they had the chance to share that experience together. Today, every time she steps onto a golf course, she feels connected to him.
"Playing golf has become a way to honor his memory and carry on a passion that meant so much to him," Lali shared. "I like to think that every lesson I learn, every new course I play, and every milestone I reach is part of the legacy he hoped to share with me."
That connection has only deepened her love for the game.
Away from the course, Lali stays busy. Between school, running her nonprofit, Heartfelt Healing, and managing her baking business, there is rarely a shortage of responsibilities competing for her attention. Inspired by her father's battle with stage 4 cancer, Lali founded Heartfelt Healing to support patients and families navigating long-term care and grief. Through the youth-led nonprofit, she works alongside teen volunteers to create personalized mental health care packages designed to provide comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that no one has to face difficult moments alone.
Whether she's supporting families through Heartfelt Healing, pursuing her own goals, or spending time on the golf course, she is committed to creating meaningful connections and making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Like many young women, she balances a variety of interests, commitments, and goals. Golf hasn't replaced those passions, it's become a meaningful addition to them. The game offers something different: a chance to step away from the demands of everyday life, reconnect with herself, and return feeling recharged.
"The course is one of the few places where I can disconnect from the stress of school, leadership, and everyday life," she said. "Focusing on each shot helps quiet my mind, and spending time outside always leaves me feeling calmer and more refreshed."
As a newer Youth on Course member, she has already experienced how affordable access can create more opportunities to play, connect, and grow.
"Being able to play different courses at a lower cost has made it possible for me to enjoy the game while staying on a budget," she said.
Youth on Course has allowed her to spend more time on the course, explore new places, strengthen relationships with friends and family, and continue building the connection she feels to her father. "I know my dad would have loved to see how much I've grown and how passionate I've become about golf," she said.
Through every round, Lali is creating memories of her own while honoring the person who first inspired her love for the game. And thanks to the access and opportunities made possible through Youth on Course, she can continue writing that story one round at a time.