Friends of Golf (FOG) to honor Philip Frengs with Ken Venturi ‘Spirit of Giving’ Award
Frengs Joins PGA Standout Sahith Theegala as Honorees at FOG’s Upcoming 45th Annual Charity Tournament
Tournament Presented by Konica Minolta Set for October 20th at Bel-Air Country Club
Los Angeles, CA (July 24, 2025) Friends of Golf (FOG) will honor entrepreneur and longtime local golf philanthropist Philip Frengs with The Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award at its 45th annual charity golf tournament presented by Konica Minolta on October 20 at Bel-Air Country Club, it was announced today by FOG President Peter Best.
In addition to Frengs, FOG will also be honoring PGA standout and Pepperdine University’s three-time NCAA All-American Sahith Theegala at this year’s event.
Frengs, a UCLA graduate and the Founder, President and CEO of Legistics, has raised more than a million dollars for the UCLA women’s golf team and helped create hundreds thousands of college scholarships through his efforts with the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) Junior Golf Foundation over the last several decades.
Frengs originally founded and has hosted “Bruin 18” at Palos Verdes Golf Club for the last 20 years, an annual tournament that has helped raise millions of dollars for the UCLA women’s golf team. Additionally, Frengs, who has served three terms on the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation board of directors and was its president in 2017, created the COPI Cup presented by Legistics, an annual golf tournament held at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The tournament has raised over $2.3 million, with all proceeds going to college scholarships for participants in the SCGA Junior program.
“Philip Frengs is truly a Friend of Golf, as his tireless efforts and tremendous passion for the game have helped raised millions of dollars for UCLA’s women’s golf team and myriad college scholarships for aspiring local golfers through the SCGA’s Junior Golf Foundation over the last several decades,” says FOG President Best. “We are thrilled to honor Philip for all that he has done for the game with this year’s Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award at our 45th annual event in October.” Frengs added, “I am very proud and honored to be the recipient of the 2025 Ken Venturi Spirit of Giving Award from Friends of Golf. Ken was known as the ‘First Gentleman of Golf,’ especially at Bel-Air Country Club. And while I might not have that same accolade, I certainly share Ken’s commitment to giving back and I am truly honored to be recognized with an honor in his name.”
Frengs’ philanthropy extends beyond the golf world, too. In honor of his late wife Mimi, Frengs formed the “Racing to End Alzheimer’s” foundation in 2017, which has raised more than $1.2 million for the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program. The foundation has also raised funds for the Nantz National Alzheimer’s Center at Houston Methodist, a charity organization founded by legendary CBS broadcaster and Friends of Golf member Jim Nantz to honor his late father Jim. Tom Debrowski & Joseph Sindelar, Jr. (2019) and Ely Callaway & Oliver “Chip” Brewer
In 2012, FOG created the inaugural Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award to honor Venturi and his commitment to being an inspiring and motivating force for young golfers everywhere. Venturi, who passed away in 2013, was a Friend of FOG for many years, almost since its inception. Through the years, he graciously committed his time to support the mission of FOG and conducted numerous clinics for players and helped attract many top professional golfers to contribute their time to the organization’s various initiatives.
Frengs joins an illustrious group of past recipients of the “Spirit of Giving” Award, including last year’s honoree Joe Fields, Tom Addis III (2023), Al Michaels (2022), Vin Scully (2020), (2015).
Theegala will be joining a stellar group of past FOG honorees at this year’s event, a list that includes Dottie Pepper, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Annika Sörenstam, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa, Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and, Juli Inkster & Dottie Pepper. Konica Minolta is the Title Sponsor of FOG’s 2025 tournament, while Callaway is the Major Equipment sponsor, Skechers is the Major Footwear sponsor and johnnie-O is the Major Apparel sponsor.
Originally founded in 1979, non-profit organization FOG (www.friendsofgolf.org) has donated over $11 million to both national and local college, high school and other golf-focused organizations and has honored many of the game’s top players over the last four decades including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Amy Alcott, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and, Juli Inkster & Dottie Pepper.
FOG partners with the Golf Coaches Association of America and Colonial Country Club and The LPGA Foundation and Women’s Golf Coaches Association to annually honor the top collegiate male and female golfers with both The Ben Hogan Trophy and The Dinah Shore Trophy.
FOG was founded in 1979 by Eddie Merrins and a group of Los Angeles-area golfers who wanted to make it possible for aspiring junior golfers (irrespective of their economic standing) to play, compete and excel in the game of golf. Friends of Golf supports student athlete golfers by instilling the values of honesty, ethics, and fellowship with a true appreciation for the game.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF GOLF (FOG)
Originally founded in 1979, FOG has donated over $11 million to both national and Southern California college, high school and non-profit golf-focused organizations. Legendary professional golfer and Bel-Air Country Club teaching pro Eddie Merrins (“The Little Pro”) and a group of Los Angeles-area golfer helped organize FOG’s first annual golf tournament intended to benefit the neighboring UCLA men’s golf program. Since then, FOG has hosted 44 annual charity golf tournaments at Bel-Air Country Club and honored some of the game’s top stars including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and, Juli Inkster & Dottie Pepper. FOG supports student athlete golfers by instilling the values of honesty, ethics, and fellowship with a true appreciation for the game. From the time boys and girls enter grade school through the end of their college experience, FOG makes it possible for aspiring junior golfers (irrespective of economic standing) to play, compete and excel in this exceptional sport.
FOG also founded and backs a number of leading national amateur golf awards including The Ben Hogan Trophy, presented each year to the top male college golfer through a joint venture with Colonial Country Club, and The Dinah Shore Trophy, which is similarly presented to the top female golfer through a joint venture with the LPGA Foundation. Friends of Golf, Inc. is recognized as a non-profit, tax-deductible organization through Federal I.D. #95-3668541 and the State of California Franchise Tax Board Organization #1058257.
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