For generations of young golfers across Southern California, the Len Kennett Junior Golf Championship has been more than a tournament — it’s been a rite of passage. Held annually at Lakewood Golf Course, the event carries the name and legacy of Len Kennett, a PGA Professional whose life’s work shaped junior golf in the region for more than half a century.

To truly understand why this tournament feels so deeply personal to returning families year after year, we look back at the incredible 98-year journey of the man who built it from the ground up.

From Caddie to Intercollegiate Champion

Len Kennett’s story begins in the late 1930s, when he first stepped onto a golf course as a caddie at Santa Anita. That early spark quickly grew into a lifelong devotion to the game. After serving his country in the Marines during World War II, Kennett played collegiate golf at USC, where he won the 1950 Southern California Intercollegiate Championship.

His playing career was highly impressive, but his true impact on the sport came later — through teaching.

A Teacher First, Always

Kennett became a PGA Professional in 1951 and spent the next seven decades teaching, mentoring, and guiding golfers of all ages. His longest tenure was at Los Verdes Golf Course, where he served as head professional for an incredible 34 years. He later continued teaching at Lakewood Country Club, becoming a permanent fixture in the Long Beach golf community.

What truly set Kennett apart was his unwavering commitment to youth sports. Long before structured youth programs were common, Kennett offered free lessons to kids, often spending entire days out on the range helping young players discover the game. He fundamentally believed that golf should be accessible, affordable, and welcoming — core values that would go on to define the tournament that now bears his name.

The Birth of a Junior Golf Staple

The Len Kennett Junior Golf Championship was established in the mid‑1950s at Lakewood, created to give young golfers a competitive environment rooted in sportsmanship and community. Kennett insisted the event be run with the exact same respect and professionalism as any major championship.

His signature traditions on the course became legendary:

• The First Tee Greeting: He personally welcomed every single junior on the tee box wearing a coat and tie.

• The Personal Touch: He offered each individual player a small gift to welcome them to the event.

• The Standard: He emphasized courtesy, respect, and integrity above all else.

These thoughtful touches made the tournament feel profoundly special — not just for the winners, but for every single kid who teed it up.

A Proving Ground for Future Champions

Over the decades, the Len Kennett Junior has welcomed thousands of young golfers, including future global stars who went on to immense collegiate, amateur, and professional success.

Yet, the tournament’s reputation has never been solely about producing champions — it’s about producing confident, respectful young people who learn the values Kennett lived by. Families return year after year because the event feels different. It feels personal. It feels like tradition.

A Living, Breathing Legacy

The Len Kennett Junior Golf Championship isn’t just history — it’s a living tradition, carried forward by the juniors who play it, the families who support it, and the community that continues to keep Kennett’s spirit alive. Every young golfer who steps onto the tee at Lakewood becomes an active part of that legacy, and every swing honors a man who dedicated his life to giving kids a place to grow.

Hear From the Fairways: The Interview Series

Len Kennett's impact isn't just found in record books—it is alive in the coaches and players out on the course today. We sat down with tournament alumni and local instructors to hear firsthand how Len's unique mentorship shaped their careers and lives.

Ready for the next chapter? Click the button below to read our exclusive on-the-course interview with former junior competitor and coach, Troy, as he discusses passing the torch to the next generation.