Geese amble amid the acres of lush green grass while golfers spend hours of their day knocking off their daily vitamin D intake and taking mindful practice swings.
After low student participation and a cut in fall 2025, members of the El Camino College golf team decided to shift gears and rebrand themselves as a Golf Club in order to continue the already established community.
In recent semesters, only eight to 10 students regularly attended practices, making it difficult to sustain an official competitive program, said Jacob Rodriguez, a first-year biochemistry major and Golf Club president.
Club rushes, word of mouth, flyers and Instagram posts from the official @elcaminoclubgolf account are just some of the ways Rodriguez and his fellow members are rebuilding interest in the sport.
The decision to cut the golf team was not solely the college’s responsibility, but part of broader budget reductions affecting multiple departments and student programs.
“There are a lot of budget cuts happening,” Rodriguez said. “Programs that aren’t as popular sometimes get reduced or merged instead of receiving increased funding.”
One of the club’s main goals is to challenge common stereotypes about golf. Many students assume the sport is expensive or limited to experienced players, but Rodriguez emphasized that beginners are encouraged to participate.
Despite these challenges, the Golf Club has focused on creating a welcoming environment centered on student connection rather than competition.
“You don’t have to be a pro to play,” he said. “Anyone can come out, try it, and improve over time.”
The weekly meetings take place on Fridays at the 18-hole Alondra Park Golf Course from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Members are welcome to stop by, practice and socialize regardless of experience level.
Friday practice sessions on the driving range from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. are free, and the club provides extra equipment for those who don’t have their own clubs. Students interested in playing full rounds on the course from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. are expected to pay standard course fees, which can span from $18 for shorter courses to $40 for full play.
“You can’t just go to class and go home,” Rodriguez said. “College is about making friendships and building community, and golf gives students a place to do that.”
