First Annual Ellie Day!
When I sat down in the beginning of the year plotting down a couple of things I wanted to do and accomplish this year, one of the things were a kids day. I talked to Rory at Monarch Dunes GC in California and my grandpa, and we started working towards a really fun and memorable day as well as sending out invitations. The numbers of kids signing up kept growing and once it was March 5th, 123 kids were signed up and headed towards my event...
... and what a day we had! We started with a very engaging clinic that I did together with Rory. The kids got to answer Rory's questions and some of them came up to show how it was done on the range. We also had some time for questions where I got to answer everything from what my favorite place in Sweden was, to how much my golf clubs cost. In the middle of the clinic, the rain started to pour down, and I'm so grateful for all the parents who stuck it out and were there for their kids. Nevertheless, we had a great time together, and once the clinic was done, the kids got to try some different challenges that Darren from The First Tee helped me set up. The kids could win prizes like hats and playing the challenge course (a 12-hole par 3 course at Monarch Dunes) together with me. I spent most of my time signing autographs, taking pictures and talking to all the kids and their parents. Some kids hung around a little longer and we hit some balls on the range together- super fun!
Before all the kids left, they picked up their goodie bags that my dear granny helped me making. Grandpa, Josh and Edd from the Breeden family had been working very hard to create a super professional and fun bag that included golf balls, ball markers, snacks, lots of discount vouchers, and two LPGA tickets. I had been working together with LA Open and LA Championship to set up tickets for the kids and their parents/guardians, and had 220 tickets donated to my event. Hopefully some of the kids and their families will make it to LA to watch an LPGA event so the kids can start dreaming about being in my position one day!
The event lasted for about 2,5 hours and afterwards, I went inside to grab a bite for lunch and then head out to the range for the second event for the day. We started with a short clinic focusing on wedges and what I think of during a round. It has been amazing now afterwards hearing all the feedback of members who successfully hit their wedges so much better and lowering their scores. After the clinic, we walked up to the Butterfly Grille where we had some appetizers, a silent auction, and I was talking a little bit as well as my grandpa Butch and coach Rory. I am so grateful for my second family at Monarch Dunes and all support they have shown me since I sat my foot on their grounds in 2020.