By Elle Laur
Being a twin is a unique experience. But being a twin that plays the same sport? Now that is rare.
The Leovao twins were introduced to the game of golf at the age of 11 by their dad who deemed them “naturals.” This sport, like everything else they did, was going to be something they conquered together. And they sure did conquer.
"Growing up with her was like having a best friend with me at all times,” says Jasmine. “It’s a big reason why we’re at the level we’re at right now.”
Staying close to home and sticking together were their only two priorities while getting recruited to play collegiate golf. The Long Beach State University (LBSU) women’s golf head coach Alyssa Waite saw their potential and Long Beach is now their home away from home.
The juniors just wrapped up their fall season which started strong with an individual win by Jasmine and a team win in New Mexico. The Beach is coming off a very strong 2023-24 season where Jasmine won her second consecutive Big West Championship individual title and the team captured its fourth team win, securing its fifth appearance in the NCAA postseason tournament.
The twins are each other’s biggest supporters, aside from their parents.
“We wanted to find somewhere that would offer a scholarship so we could do something for our parents since they’ve contributed so much to us and our golf career," says Janae. “Getting a scholarship to Long Beach was the least we could do for them.”
Youngest of 5 siblings, their outlet is going home to Oceanside on any free weekend, taking a break from the chaos of their busy school schedule and spending time with their family and beloved French Bulldog Duke.
Not only do the two practice together, but they share an apartment and are both studying business management.
“I know I can fully be myself around her. She helps me with studying and practice,” says Jasmine. “She’s my built-in best friend; someone I do everything with. I can’t imagine my [college] experience without her.”
The Leovaos are finding opportunities in their hometown and beyond. On November 23, they competed in the Wishbone Brawl at Goat Hill Park alongside Kelly Slater, Chris Riley, Bill Murray and Leta Lindley. The two grew up at Goat Hill and volunteered at this event as caddies in past years.
“It was surreal,” says Janae. “Everyone supports my sister and me so much and it’s not about how we perform for them. It’s a cool way for us to give back to our community and remember that everyone is proud of us.”
The event donates proceeds to the North County Junior Golf Association which the twins grew up competing in.
Janae and Jasmine are one. If one of them wins, they both win.
“We compete with each other and for each other,” says Janae emphasizing team success over individual success, something they’ve learned during their time competing at LBSU.
Except for this past summer, when the twins played against each other for the first time in a championship setting. The stars had aligned just right at the SCGA Women's Match Play Championship. Jasmine and Janae were on opposite sides of the bracket, and joked that they would end up playing each other in the championship match if they kept advancing.
Well, that's exactly what happened.
Their parents had to make the trip to Spanish Hills Club for this special occasion, with mom on the bag for Jasmine and dad on the bag for Janae.
Although Jasmine prevailed in the championship match, it was a special day for the Leovao family.
Jasmine and Janae never fail to lift each other up on the course, even when things go south. They count on each other to cover if the other is having a bad day, because, let’s face it, not every day on the course is as fresh as daisies.
“Having her makes me see things in a different light. It teaches me to be more selfless,” says Janae. “Seeing her doing well makes me proud of us as a whole, and I hope she’s proud when I do well too.”
