It’s always a pleasure to welcome IJGA alumni back during winter break. Having familiar faces—who are like family—now thriving at the collegiate level is inspiring to both staff and students.
On Friday, December 26, an impressive group of alumni took to Bishops Gate Golf Course, including Filip Jakubcik, Jack Turner, Gerardo Gomez, Tingwei Chang, Jordan Kway, Bryce Garnier, and Zoravar Singh Star.
After seeing the lineup, Coach Grant remarked that this group would be a match for any NCAA championship-winning college golf team.
Earlier that morning, many of these alumni also competed in IJGA’s annual Winter Break Pairs Putting Competition.
Two teams—Filip and Bryce, and Jack and Zoravar—advanced to the semifinals before falling to visiting M5N Golf Academy standouts Gahui Kim and Jungmin Seo, and IJGA’s own Gurbanie Singh Star and Sofia Cherif Essakali.
In a highly competitive final, Gurbanie and Sofia rallied from two down, showcasing the putting skill that made them the previous IJGA semester Putting Champions; Sofia in Fall 2024 and Gurbanie in Spring 2025.
Moments like these highlight what makes the IJGA community so special: lifelong connections, shared excellence, and a genuine love for golf.
Seeing accomplished collegiate golfers return to compete alongside current students and campers creates lasting memories, especially for younger campers just beginning their golf journeys.
Whether competing, mentoring, or simply enjoying time back on campus, IJGA alumni continue to shape the academy’s culture. We are proud to welcome them home and look forward to following their continued success!
Want to learn more about the community and experiences that make IJGA unique? Visit the academy to explore programs, our facilities, and student success stories.
