Oceanside Twins Janae and Jasmine Leovao Inspire the Next Generation of California Golfers
Every great golf journey begins somewhere.
For Janae and Jasmine Leovao, that journey began on the fairways of Goat Hill Park in Oceanside, California.
Long before they helped lead Eastern Michigan University on a remarkable run to the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship semifinals, the twin sisters were simply two young girls learning the game at one of Southern California’s most beloved municipal golf courses.
What started as a love for golf would eventually carry them from Oceanside to Long Beach State University and ultimately to one of the biggest stages in collegiate golf.
A New Chapter at Eastern Michigan
Seeking a fresh opportunity and a chance to help build something special, Janae and Jasmine transferred together to Eastern Michigan University for their final collegiate season.
At the start of the year, Eastern Michigan was ranked No. 122 nationally.
Few outside the program could have predicted what would happen next.
Led in part by the experience, leadership, and competitive spirit of the Leovao sisters, the Eagles steadily climbed the rankings and finished the regular season ranked 17 nationally, the highest ranking in the school’s history. By the time the NCAA Championships arrived, Eastern Michigan ranked 27th nationally and of the 30 teams that punched their ticket to the championship, they were the 21st highest ranked team.
Simply qualifying for the NCAA Championship was a milestone for the program.
But the Eagles were not finished.
A Cinderella Run at the NCAA Championship
At the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship, Eastern Michigan became one of the stories of the tournament.
After four rounds of stroke play, the Eagles posted the low team round of the day and vaulted into fifth place, securing a spot in the match play quarterfinals against powerhouse Texas.
The quarterfinal matchup would showcase the competitive fire that had carried Janae and Jasmine from Goat Hill Park to the national stage.
Janae delivered one of the tournament’s biggest individual victories when she defeated Texas star Farah O’Keefe—the nation’s No. 1-ranked player and NCAA medalist—by an impressive 5-and-4 margin.
Meanwhile, Jasmine found herself locked in a tightly contested match that came down to the final hole.
With Eastern Michigan’s hopes hanging in the balance, Jasmine rolled in an 18-foot putt on the 18th green to secure her match and send the Eagles to the NCAA semifinals.
For a team that began the season ranked 264th in the country, it was one of the most remarkable runs in college golf.
For Janae and Jasmine, it was the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and belief.
A Story Bigger Than Golf
While tournament results and championship appearances tell part of the story, the journey of Janae and Jasmine Leovao is about much more than scores and trophies.
Their story highlights the opportunities that public golf can create. It shows what can happen when talent is supported by a community that believes in young players and provides them with opportunities to learn, grow, and compete.
From carrying bags at Goat Hill Park and working the Wishbone Brawl to competing against the nation’s best players at the NCAA Championship, the twins have become role models for the next generation of California golfers.
Every day, young golfers arrive at Goat Hill Park dreaming about what might be possible.
Thanks to Janae and Jasmine Leovao, they now have a blueprint.
Their journey proves that greatness can begin anywhere—even on a municipal golf course overlooking Oceanside.
And for the Leovao sisters, the journey is still far from over.
