Sisters Roxanne and Layla Phillips Drive the Future of Golf

Layla and Roxanne Phillips are proving that the future of golf is not only bright, but beautifully diverse. The talented sisters, already making waves on the Southern California junior golf circuit, continue to build impressive résumés filled with tournament victories, academic excellence, and a commitment to representing the next generation of golfers of color.

Recently featured in the Los Angeles Sentinel, Layla, 15, and Roxanne, 13, have emerged as two of the region’s most promising young players. Their success is no accident. It is the result of talent, discipline, family support, and the strong developmental foundation provided by the Tee Divas Tee Dudes Golf Club, one of Southern California’s most influential organizations dedicated to growing the game among young African American and underserved golfers. 

Layla has already established herself as one of the premier junior golfers in the country. Ranked among the top players in the Class of 2029, she is the reigning Los Angeles City Junior Champion and continues to excel in elite competitions. Her polished short game, particularly her putting, has become a hallmark of her success. With a handicap index of 1.5, Layla has competed in high-profile events such as the Underrated Golf Tour and participated in the USGA’s U.S. National Development Program, experiences that have elevated her game and expanded her competitive horizons. 

Younger sister Roxanne is proving equally formidable. With a handicap index of 2.1, she has already amassed an impressive list of accomplishments, including victories at both the SCPGA Junior Players Tour Fullerton Fall Challenge and the SCPGA Players Tour event at Jurupa Hills. Those wins were more than simply trophies; they showcased Roxanne’s poise, consistency, and ability to perform under tournament pressure against strong fields. 

The Southern California PGA Junior Tour has long served as one of the nation’s premier junior golf development systems. Its mission is simple but powerful: to provide competitive opportunities that prepare young golfers for high school, collegiate, and eventually professional play. Within that framework, tournaments such as the Fullerton Fall Challenge and the Players Tour event at Jurupa Hills are particularly important milestones.

The Fullerton Fall Challenge, held at historic Fullerton Golf Course, is part of the SCPGA Junior Players Tour, which is designed to help young golfers refine their skills in a highly competitive environment. The event attracts some of the best junior talent in Southern California, requiring not only technical skill but also strategic course management and mental toughness. For Roxanne to claim victory there at such a young age speaks volumes about her competitive maturity.

Similarly, the SCPGA Players Tour event at Jurupa Hills Country Club is regarded as an important proving ground for elite junior golfers. Players Tour events bridge the gap between developmental competition and nationally ranked tournaments, offering juniors the opportunity to test themselves on demanding courses under tournament conditions. Roxanne’s triumph at Jurupa Hills further cemented her standing as one of the rising stars in Southern California junior golf.

Both sisters are proud junior members of the Tee Divas Tee Dudes Golf Club, widely known as TDTD. Founded to create opportunities for African American golfers and other underrepresented communities, TDTD has become a vital force in the effort to diversify golf. What began as a local golf club has grown into a multifaceted organization focused on player development, mentorship, scholarship support, and community building. 

The organization’s junior program has become especially impactful. Through partnerships with the Southern California Golf Association, the Southern California PGA, the Advocates Professional Golf Association, and other organizations, TDTD provides young golfers with access to tournaments, coaching, equipment, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. For many families, TDTD serves as both a golf academy and an extended family.

Jenny Bethune, who has been instrumental in the organization’s junior programming, has helped guide countless young players toward college scholarships and competitive success. Under her leadership, TDTD has created pathways for juniors to compete at higher levels while also emphasizing academic achievement, leadership, and personal development. 

The Phillips sisters exemplify that mission perfectly. In addition to their golf accomplishments, both Layla and Roxanne recently received the United States President’s Award for Educational Excellence. Their ability to balance demanding academic schedules with rigorous tournament calendars reflects a maturity well beyond their years. They are excelling not just on the golf course, but in the classroom as well.

For Layla, maintaining that balance requires focus and discipline. She has learned how to compartmentalize—school when it is time to study, golf when it is time to compete. That skill is invaluable for any aspiring student-athlete, particularly one with Division I ambitions. Roxanne, meanwhile, brings an infectious enthusiasm to the game. She thrives on the friendships and experiences golf has afforded her, from competing in Junior World events to participating in Tiger Woods Foundation programs.

Their journey also reflects the growing impact of organizations like TDTD in changing the face of golf. Historically, African Americans have faced significant barriers to entry in the sport, from exclusionary policies to limited access to courses, coaching, and competitive opportunities. Clubs like Tee Divas Tee Dudes are helping to dismantle those barriers by creating intentional pathways for inclusion and excellence.

TDTD’s influence extends far beyond tournament results. The organization supports more than 100 youth golfers across Southern California through its partnership with Inland Golf Academy. Together, they provide funding for tournament fees, travel expenses, equipment, coaching, mentorship, and college preparation. Their shared mission is to ensure that talented young golfers, regardless of economic background, have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. 

For African American youth, representation matters deeply. Seeing successful young golfers who look like them can inspire participation and belief. Layla and Roxanne are already serving as role models, not only for their younger peers in TDTD, but for aspiring golfers throughout the country.

Their recent Los Angeles Sentinel feature highlighted not just their achievements, but their potential. Both sisters aspire to play Division I college golf, and given their trajectory, that goal appears well within reach. From there, professional golf may very well be the next chapter.

Yet perhaps their greatest contribution lies in what they represent today: possibility. They are part of a new generation reshaping the game—one that is more inclusive, more diverse, and more reflective of the communities it serves.

As junior members of Tee Divas Tee Dudes Golf Club, Layla and Roxanne Phillips are not simply winning tournaments. They are carrying forward a legacy of access, opportunity, and excellence. They are honoring the pioneers who opened doors before them while inspiring the young golfers who will follow.

In a sport that has long struggled with diversity, their ascent is both refreshing and significant. With every swing, every trophy, and every academic accolade, Layla and Roxanne are helping to write a new chapter in golf—one defined by talent, determination, and limitless potential. Follow Layla and Roxanne on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/phillipsgolf