University Southern California Trojans
October 26, 2026 | Women's Golf
Representatives from the East Lake Foundation, the East Lake Golf Club and the Golf Channel voted on the award.
ATLANTA — Junior Kylie Chong of the No. 2 USC Women's Golf team is the 2026 Tom Cousins Award recipient, as announced by the East Lake Foundation committee at the annual East Lake Cup Welcome Celebration on Oct. 26.
The committee, which is comprised of representatives from Golf Channel, East Lake Foundation and East Lake Golf Club, selects one male and one female recipient from participating teams in the East Lake Cup to earn the Tom Cousins Award. The award is given to the student-athletes who best exemplify the civic, community and philanthropic qualities of East Lake Foundation founder Tom Cousins.
"I'm honored to win an award that represents commitment to serve others and make positive differences," Chong, a junior from Torrance, Calif., said. "I'm incredibly honored to win this award and I'm looking forward to finding new opportunities to serve others and make a difference in people's lives."
Chong gave back to her community in several ways over the past year. With other USC student-athletes, she helped with a local service project at the Dream Center to make and serve food for the unhoused. She also spent time with disabled golfers at Angel City Adaptive Sports Clinic, showing them how to golf while spending quality time with them.
"My time at the Angel City Adaptive Sports Clinic showed me how far golf can take us in forming a community involving people from different backgrounds, while also bringing together people with disabilities," Chong said. "The Dream Center allowed me to connect with those experiencing homelessness and gave me a chance to make them feel seen, valued and supported."
Last year, Chong's teammate, Bailey Shoemaker, was a Tom Cousins Award recipient.
The committee, which is comprised of representatives from Golf Channel, East Lake Foundation and East Lake Golf Club, selects one male and one female recipient from participating teams in the East Lake Cup to earn the Tom Cousins Award. The award is given to the student-athletes who best exemplify the civic, community and philanthropic qualities of East Lake Foundation founder Tom Cousins.
"I'm honored to win an award that represents commitment to serve others and make positive differences," Chong, a junior from Torrance, Calif., said. "I'm incredibly honored to win this award and I'm looking forward to finding new opportunities to serve others and make a difference in people's lives."
Chong gave back to her community in several ways over the past year. With other USC student-athletes, she helped with a local service project at the Dream Center to make and serve food for the unhoused. She also spent time with disabled golfers at Angel City Adaptive Sports Clinic, showing them how to golf while spending quality time with them.
"My time at the Angel City Adaptive Sports Clinic showed me how far golf can take us in forming a community involving people from different backgrounds, while also bringing together people with disabilities," Chong said. "The Dream Center allowed me to connect with those experiencing homelessness and gave me a chance to make them feel seen, valued and supported."
Last year, Chong's teammate, Bailey Shoemaker, was a Tom Cousins Award recipient.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
Monday, May 11
Monday, April 27
Wednesday, May 14
Tuesday, September 20
