Janice Luis was busy planning another golf tournament, but she’s always eager to chat about her favorite sport and volunteer gig.
“Golf is a very fun sport to play,” says the longtime member of Sacramento Golf Council, which runs 25 regional tournaments March through October. “It can be frustrating at times, but what I enjoy most is the camaraderie you develop. Even if you don’t play well that day, you get to chat with friends. It’s a social game.”
Luis took up the game when a friend gave her some golf clubs. An athletic person, Luis wanted a sport somewhat less demanding than coed soccer, volleyball and skiing.
She joined the golf council in 2006 and was asked to become tournament director for the Junior Easter championship two years later. She served as the nonprofit’s president 2022 to 2024.
“We all care about golf and work together to make sure the tournaments are run professionally and efficiently,” Luis says.
Golf council events draw adults of all ages and abilities and juniors ages 7–18. Tournaments are held at public courses, including Bartley Cavanaugh, Haggin Oaks, Bing Maloney, William Land, Ancil Hoffman and Mather.
Most players come from Northern California, but competitors sometimes arrive from Southern California and other states and countries.
“Word gets around that ours are good tournaments to join,” she says.
Each event features on-course player assistants, rules officials and starter announcers. Some tournaments are approved for NorCal Golf Association points.
For the youngsters, the council partners with First Tee Greater Sacramento, Junior Golf Association of Northern California and other programs.
Golf council members pitch in as volunteers at tournaments. People who aren’t on the council help by running water carts, spotting holes to maintain the pace of play and more.
“We welcome other volunteers,” Luis says. “The more volunteers, the smoother the tournament.”
The council is looking for new members. They can take up to 35 and currently have 28 on their roster.
Luis is proud of the golf council’s commitment to youth. For the last six years, the group partnered with First Tee and Morton Golf Foundation to give scholarships to junior golfers pursuing college degrees.
“If the tournament makes a profit, all that money goes into the junior scholarship program,” Luis says.
To volunteer, sharpen your golf game, make new friends or spend time on beautiful local courses, joining Sacramento Golf Council is like hitting a hole-in-one.
For information, visit sacgolfcouncil.org.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
