Alan Murray had an idea.
It happened at the annual coaching convention in Las Vegas last December, spurring a moment nine months ago. Washington men’s coach Murray needed one final team this weekend to complete the Husky’s home opener field at the Sahary Championships in the Seattle suburbs. It’s one of the top men’s tournaments in fall slate, but this year there’s a unique twist to it.
Five members of the US Junior National Team will compete in Sahary along with 11 of the top college golf programs across the country. The top 10 teams in the field include Texas, Florida and Arizona, but the final team will consist of some of the top juniors in the country, with former USC head coach and Pepperdine assistant Chris Zambrie leading them in the 54-hole event.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Zambrie said.
The five players on the team are Ronin Banerjee, Luke Colton, Jesse Hubner, Tyler Mawinney and Tyler Watts. Mawhinney won the US amateur 4 ball earlier this summer. Watts won the title of the Elite Amateur Golf Series last month, earning the most points in the 7-event summer series. Colton is considered one of the best players in junior golf.
Philip Dunham had to withdraw from play due to a wrist injury, but he intended to compete as an individual.
Now, there will be a chance to gather college players and win the best teams this weekend. The Saharry Championships will begin on Saturday with one day of the 36 holes in the final round on Sunday.
Murray got the idea to invite the US junior national team after Wake Forest coach Jerry Haas told Murray that Demon Deacons will play in another tournament this fall and that one slot will be available on the 12-team field. Within minutes he saw Zambrie and the light bulb disappeared in his head.
Taiwan and Swedish national teams featured the latter young Rudig Aberg, but previously competed in the Husky Invitational in Washington. So why not give the US National Development Program the opportunity to compete?
“I’m sure this is the first college tournament that the US national team will play,” Murray said. “So it was an opportunity for the tournament to set a bit of history. Everyone who hosts the tournament is trying their best to do the best shows possible, get the strongest fields possible, and do something unique.
The most difficult part of the national team was being able to play in tournaments. But there is a process that happens, but it’s just a long one.
Murray had to work with the Washington compliance team. He and Zambry had a conversation with John Baldwin at the NCAA. In the end, everything was set. The US National Junior Team was officially on the field. This weekend they’ll try to remove the best of college golf.
“The opportunity was very interesting and exciting for all these kids,” Zambrie said. “Like the reactions from everyone who said, ‘How cool is this? I can’t wait to do it’ were really strong. ”
Murray said coaches from other teams in the field support the decision, which wouldn’t be surprising. Most of the juniors competing in Saharry played with the best college players on the field over the summer, whether they were American amateurs or other elite amateur golf series events.
But now, Banerjee, Colton, Dunham, Huebner, Mawinnie and Watts are all playing each other this weekend and offering a preview of College Golf.
“One of the things we think are constantly working on is trying to make younger players understand what they need at a higher level,” Zambrie said.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with new information.
