l
names in the game
M
aleyna Gregorio is a
shining star of the
First Tee – Coachella
Valley. Enrolled in the program
at age 4, the 17-year-old is now
an Eagle Level participant who
also finds time to volunteer for
classes and fund-raisers.
In addition, she has com-
piled a stellar competitive
record on the Southern Califor-
nia PGA Junior Tour during
2021, making every cut, notching
three victories and claiming one
second and one third-place finish.
Maleyna has clearly found her
place in the sun as one of Califor-
nia's outstanding junior golfers.
To arrive at this lofty destina-
tion, however, Maleyna had to
emerge from a very dark place.
Ironically, it was the sun itself that
plunged her into darkness.
"Just before turning 12, I devel-
oped a sun sensitivity to the point
of not being able to step into the
sun," said Maleyna. "After a year of
going from doctor to doctor, not
stepping onto a golf course or hold-
ing a golf club, I was finally dia-
gnosed with photodermatitis – a
skin condition of being allergic to
the sun."
Maleyna was bullied at school
for how the condition affected her
appearance and self-doubt grew as
to whether her golf game would
ever recover. Her perseverance
was tested – and tested – and
eventually rewarded. Four years
later, her skin condition is under
control, and so is her golf game.
"I'm now on my way to pursu-
ing college golf," said Maleyna,
"and I can happily say that The
First Tee's core values is one of
the reasons I pushed through to
get back to the game I love."
Grateful for the opportunities
that The First Tee has provided
her, Maleyna hopes to continue
her golf and also to pursue a Busi-
ness degree. "I want to make a dif-
ference for females in the world of
golf and sports," she said.
4
•
First Tee – Coachella Valley Magazine
•
Winter 2022
The future is bright
Maleyna Gregorio shines on and off the course
"I can happily say that
The First Tee's core
values is one of the
reasons I pushed
through to get back to
the game I love."
<< MALEYNA GREGORIO
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