John Ashworth and Bill Murray are kindred spirits. What might occasionally seem to be lost in the translation of life, they actually have it figured out. Especially as it relates to golf, Goat Hill Park, community and a safe-haven for kids. This was Murray’s first time playing in the Wishbone Brawl, which raises money for North County Junior Golf and Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy. In the final installment of the series of videos recapping the Brawl, which was won by Chris Riley and Janae Leovao, Ashworth tells the story of how he met and became friends with Murray.
Around Goat Hill Park, they’re known as “The Twins.” Jasmine and Janae Leovao, like Leta Lindley, are home-grown and are making the course and community proud as they’re on full scholarships at Long Beach State. In their second Wishbone Brawl, they showed up and showed out. Jasmine played with Kelly Slater, Janae with Chris Riley. As products of North County Junior Golf and Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy, the beneficiaries of the Brawl and the online auction (NCJGA.com), it’s very cool to see them in front of this crowd and competing with pros and celebrities. Also cool: they appreciate the community support as much as the community appreciates them and their family. Janae and Riley were the winners of this year’s Wishbone Brawl.🏆
With Wishbone Brawl VII in the books, we’re looking back on the annual event with a highlight reel of the participants. Next up, Chris Riley, a San Diego native who spent 13 years on the PGA Tour and was recently the head coach of the USD Men’s Golf Team from 2017 until 2023. Riley, always a crowd favorite, was back to the Goat to play in another Wishbone Brawl where he teamed up with Janae Leovao and the team won the exhibition by several shots. As you’ll see, he nearly aced the third hole, he chipped in for another eagle on the 10th and as a scramble team, they finished 12-under. As Riles says: “This place is special. If it says ‘junior golf,’ there’s no hesitation, I’m coming to help support.” 🙏
With Wishbone Brawl VII in the books, we’re looking back on the annual event with a highlight reel of the participants. Next up, Bill Murray. The iconic actor and entertainer has been supporting John Ashworth’s efforts to revitalize a community asset for over a decade, and on Nov. 23, Murray showed up and did what Murray does best: make people laugh. He also gave hugs, posed for selfies and signed countless autographs. Murray partnered with Leta Lindley, the reigning U.S. Senior Women’s Open Champion, and the twosome came up a little short on the 4,500-yard par-65 municipal where locals can pay $35 to walk on weekends. All proceeds of the Wishbone Brawl go to North County Junior Golf and Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy. As Murray says: “If it weren’t for John Ashworth, you could have an indoor soccer stadium right here!”🙏
With Wishbone Brawl VII in the books, we’re looking back on the annual event with a highlight reel of the participants. Next up, Kelly Slater, the G.O.A.T. at The Goat. The 11-time surf champion can often be seen in Oceanside and on the range, honing his game and supporting the community and kids. On Saturday, Nov. 23, Slater partnered with Jasmine Leovao to help raise money for North County Junior Golf and the Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy. As Slater says: “If this is what muny golf was all around the country, all around the world, there’d be a lot more people playing golf.” 🐐
With Wishbone Brawl VII in the books, we’re looking back on the annual event with a highlight reel of the participants. We’re starting with Leta Lindley, the reigning champion of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open who grew up at Goat Hill Park. In the video, Lindley refers to ”Lud” as a father figure and mentor as she was learning the game in Oceanside. Ludwig Keehn is the original caretaker of what was originally Center City Golf course. He was the one who redesigned the routing and converted what became Goat Hill Park into 18 holes. Lindley teamed up with Bill Murray on Saturday, Nov. 23, raising money for North County Junior Golf and the Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy. As Lindley says: “If there were more Goat Hill Parks in the world, it would be a much better place.” 🐐
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