The Americans entered the final day singles matches with a two point lead after Wednesday’s four-balls at Nassau Country Club, and they drove home their home advantage with seven victories and one tie in 12 Thursday singles matches, triumphing 17 ½ to 12 ½.

Asterisk Talley provided the Americans with some early momentum after her 1 UP victory against Charlotte Naughton. Talley was 4 UP with five to play before England’s Naughton bounced back brilliantly to win holes 15,16 and 17 but came up just short of tying the match at the last.

French trio Hugo Le Goff, Oscar Couilleau and Sara Brentcheneff provided some hope for Europe after coming out on top against Miles Russell, Tyler Mawhinney and Amelie Zalsman respectively, however the Americans quickly restored their advantage as Anna Fang defeated Spain’s Nagore Martinez 5&3.

England’s Kris Kim and Giuseppe Puebla tied their match before the Americans took control as Zoe Cusack defeated Denmark’s Benedicte Brent-Petersen 4&3, Lunden Esterline beat France’s Callixte Alzas 3&2, Lily Peng defeated Alice Kong 1 UP and Hamilton Coleman came out on top against John Doyle 2&1.

Rayee Feng defeated Louise Uma Landgraf 4&3 to seal victory for the United States and regain the Junior Ryder Cup for the first time since 2018.

In the final match to finish on the course, Ukraine’s Lev Grinberg came out on top against Luke Colton with a 4&3 victory.

European Junior Ryder Cup Captain Stephen Gallacher was proud of his team despite defeat on American soil and believes the future is bright for European golf.

“I’m very proud of my team,” he said. “They fought extremely hard until the end, and they are not only fantastic golfers but also fantastic human beings. Their body language, commitment to the team from every one of them was so professional.

“They are all fantastic players, and they could have gone out in any order today. The sky is the limit with all of them, and they have the talent, it is now just down to how much they want it. I’m sure they will be winning on the DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour before we know it.”

United States Junior Ryder Cup Captain Suzy Whaley said: “We were down first thing this morning for a long time, and these kids just fought so hard and they got the job done. They saw a sea of blue on the leaderboard and knew exactly where they stood. They showed grit, perseverance and did not give up.

“Being a captain of a team holds a lot of responsibility, but it wasn’t just me, This was a team effort for Team USA to bring that Cup home and set the tone for tomorrow’s Ryder Cup, and that’s exactly what we did.”

Find Out More about the Junior Ryder Cup

The two teams – comprising 12 of the best male and female junior players from each of Europe and the United States – are currently 10-8 in favour of the United States after the second day mixed four-ball matches at Nassau Country Club.

The Americans, who entered the second day with a one point advantage, made the perfect start to the four-balls when Asterisk Talley and Miles Russell and overcame French duo Hugo Le Goff and Sara Brentcheneff 2&1 in the first match, before Zoe Cusack and Lunden Esterline also defeated English pair Charlotte Naughton and Kris Kim 2&1.

Europe fought back as Spaniard Nagore Martinez and Frenchman Callixte Alzas defeated Rayee Feng and Hamilton Coleman 3&2, before the United States increased their lead as Lily Peng and Giuseppe Puebla overcame Alice Kong from France and Ukraine’s Lev Grinberg 4&2.

Team Europe showed incredible fight as Denmark’s Benedicte Brent-Petersen and Ireland’s John Doyle birdied their final two holes to defeat Amelie Zalsman and Tyler Mawhinney 2 UP before French pair Louise Uma Landgraf and Oscar Couilleau came from behind to secure ½ a point against Anna Fang and Luke Colton.

Team Europe Captain Stephen Gallacher said: “There was some fantastic golf today. We’re watching the best 24 kids in the world, and I was delighted with the last few holes today. We saw a big shift in our favour, and we are only two points back ahead of the single matches, where anything can happen.

“The fighting spirit of my team has been unbelievable. This is a proper American golf course which my team won’t be used to and half of them have never played mixed four-balls. There is spirit and confidence to take on new shots and trust themselves. The greens out here are extremely firm, and they are up against class opposition. The attitude has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to tomorrow.”

The final day single matches were due to be played at Bethpage Black tomorrow, however due to the forecast of inclement weather they will now be contested at Nassau Country Club.

Team Europe will need to reach 15 points in order to retain the Junior Ryder Cup and lift the trophy on American soil for the first time since 2004.

“There’s a chance to re-write history tomorrow, we’ve not won away for over 20 years, and we’re going to try and do it for the Continent,” said Gallacher.

“I think it’s fantastic that we can still play the final day single matches here tomorrow. This golf course is fantastic, and it can certainly hold the rain if it does come. It’s obviously a shame that we’re not going to play Bethpage but logistically it would be very difficult and hard to finish if we did get any delays.”

The decisive single matches will begin tomorrow at 8:00am local time at Nassau Country Club, on the eve of the 45th edition of the biennial contest between Europe and the United States.

Find Out More about the Junior Ryder Cup

The PGA of Holland, in collaboration with the Dutch Golf Federation and delivered by Coach+, is proud to launch a groundbreaking Women in Coaching | Strategic Coach Education Program — a unique, multi-phase initiative designed to accelerate the growth, leadership, and impact of women coaches in golf.

Inspired by the success of the Canadian Women in Coaching program, this is a rare opportunity to engage in a structured development journey that combines leadership training, mentorship, and strategic dialogue with national and international experts.

WHY JOIN?

This program is designed for ambitious women coaches who want to:

• Strengthen their leadership skills and coaching identity
• Gain access to world-class mentorship and learning resources
• Build a supportive international network of peers and role models
• Be part of a programme aligned with the prestige of the 2025 & 2026 Solheim Cup

By investing in yourself through this program, you will not only elevate your own career but also help strengthen national coaching capacity and support the long-term growth of women in golf.

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📍 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Phase 1: In-Person Education (Papendal, Netherlands | Dec 5-7, 2025)

• Establish trust and shared vision
• Define personal coaching philosophies
• Explore leadership aspirations
• Strategic dialogue with PGA & Federation leaders

Phase 2: Virtual Learning (Dec 2025 – Summer 2026)

• Monthly mentorship and targeted learning sessions
• Peer reflection and practical tools
• Topics: Coaching culture, feedback strategies, leadership identity

Phase 3: Solheim Cup Activation (Spain | Sept 4 – 6, 2026)

• On-site leadership workshop at the Solheim Cup
• Showcase of participant impact
• Strategic discussions on equity and retention in coaching

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👩‍🏫 EXPERT MENTORSHIP TEAM

• Megan Cundari – COACH+ Educator and Women in Coaching leader
• Glenn Cundari – Founder of COACH+, with international experience in 27 countries across 19 sports
• Beth Barz – Award-winning global leader in Women’s Coach Development

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💰 INVESTMENT

• €3500 (excluding accommodation), including:
  • 6 in-person training days
  • Course materials, lunches & dinners during sessions
  • 10 months of structured virtual mentorship and support

Accommodation: €130/night at Papendal (optional)

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SECURE YOUR PLACE

To run the program, a minimum of 11 participants is required. A final decision will be made on October 13th.

📩 For more information, please contact PGA Holland at jh@pgaholland.nl

Click Here to Register Now

Image used courtesy of Yas Links Abu Dhabi

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For more information the CPG Learning Institute, visit cpg.golf/cpg-learning-institute or get in touch via info@cpg.golf.

From inspiring women and juniors to harnessing cutting-edge technology at the Yas Links Academy at CPG Collection Member Venue, Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Amy is helping shape a new chapter of inclusive coaching in the region.

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Q: As the only female PGA professional in Abu Dhabi, how do you see your role in encouraging more women and juniors to take up the game of golf in the UAE?

Amy: Being the only female PGA professional in Abu Dhabi is both a privilege and a responsibility. I see my role as not just a coach, but also as a visible role model for women and juniors who may be curious about golf but don’t yet see themselves in the game. Representation matters.

I try to create a welcoming, inclusive and relaxed environment, where new players—especially women and children – feel comfortable taking those first steps onto the golf course. My aim is to completely remove the intimidation factor and show that golf can be fun, social, and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or ability.

Q: Your coaching philosophy focuses on making lessons fun and accessible. Can you share an example of how you simplify complex techniques for your students?

Amy: Golf can be overwhelming if you dive straight into technical jargon. I like to break things down into simple, relatable concepts.

For example, instead of overloading a beginner with swing mechanics, I might compare the golf swing to drawing a specific letter of the alphabet, like a “Y” or an “L.” This gives the player a clear visual and feel without having to overthink the movement.

I also use CoachNow, which allows players to see video feedback of their swing. Often, what a player feels they’re doing and what they’re actually doing can be quite different- having that visual comparison really bridges the gap and speeds up the learning process.

By combining simple analogies, fun games, and technology, students stay engaged, learn faster, and most importantly, enjoy the process.

Q: You’ve worked with both beginners and elite players, including Irish internationals. How do you adapt your coaching style to meet the needs of such a wide range of golfers?

Amy: The key is flexibility and understanding what each golfer needs at their stage of development. Beginners often need confidence-building, encouragement, and simple fundamentals, while elite players benefit from more detailed feedback, data-driven insights, and marginal gains.

With juniors, it’s about keeping things playful and enjoyable, whereas with high-level players, it’s about structured practice and performance under pressure.

At Yas Links Abu Dhabi, we’re fortunate to have incredible technology at our disposal, such as TrackMan analysis and Swing Catalyst. TrackMan allows players to see precise data on ball flight, club delivery, and gapping, while Swing Catalyst gives valuable insights into movement patterns, balance, and ground force use.

For elite players, this technology helps take their game to the next level by providing clear visuals and feedback that support further learning and fine-tuning.

Q: Having coached in Dublin before moving to Yas Links, what differences have you noticed between the golf culture in Ireland and the UAE, particularly in terms of female participation?

Amy: In Ireland, golf has such a deep-rooted tradition and community presence—you often see families passing the game down through generations, and club competitions are a huge part of social life. In the UAE, the game is still growing, especially among women. What’s exciting here is the sense of opportunity—female participation is on the rise, and there’s a real appetite to learn.

At Yas Links, we’ve been building that community from the ground up with programs designed to support women’s development in the game. Last year, I introduced a monthly Par 3 event, which turned out to be extremely successful. It’s a non-competitive, fun, and exciting way for the ladies to take what we’ve worked on in class and apply it on the course.

The enthusiasm and diversity among the women and juniors here is incredible, and it feels like we’re part of shaping the future of golf in the region.

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With a blend of passion, creativity, and a focus on accessibility, Amy Condon continues to redefine what golf coaching looks like in the UAE. Her work at Yas Links is not only supporting players of all levels, but also building a stronger pathway for women and juniors to feel part of the game.

To find out more about the facilities at Yas Links, including the new Golf Academy, the 18-hole championship course and the par-3 course, visit: viyagolf.com/yaslinks

The U.S. got off to a hot start in morning foursomes at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, New York, led by U.S. top-ranked girls’ junior Asterisk Talley and teammate Amelie Zalsman, jumping to a 5-up lead through seven holes.

Following a brief run from Team Europe’s Sara Brentcheneff and Benedicte Brent-Peterson, winning holes 8, 10 and 11, Talley and Zalsman closed the first match of the Junior Ryder Cup with a 4 & 3 victory with a birdie on the par-5 15th hole.

“It’s great to get off to a good start (in match play) because you don’t want to have to battle back the whole time,” Asterisk said.

When the U.S. won their morning matches, they won by a large margin. Following the lead of Talley and Zalsman, partners Anna Fang and Lily Peng won their morning match against Europe’s Charlotte Naughton and Alice Kong 6 & 4. In the following group, Frisco, Texas, resident Luke Colton and Giuseppe Puebla of Royal Palm Beach, Fla. also won 6 & 4 against Europe’s Callixte Alzas and Lev Grinberg.

The Americans took control of this match early, making the turn at 4-up, fueled by an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. Colton hit his approach to eight feet to set up Puebla to drain the putt for eagle.

“Giuseppe ripped a drive like 350 (yards) down there and I hit it where I was aiming and it ended up being eight feet away,” Colton said. “That felt really big because (Europe) hit it close for birdie. Giuseppe made just about every putt out there and I think that got the match going. We were on fire after that.”

Even after a hot start and three commanding wins in the morning session from the U.S., Team Europe did not falter.

French duo Hugo Le Goff and Oscar Couilleau set the tone for Europe, defeating U.S. top-ranked junior Miles Russell and Vanderbilt commit Tyler Mawhinney 3 & 2.

“I’ve known Oscar since I was 7 years-old,” Le Goff said. “We used to play together quite a few times and we always play well together. It felt good to win the first point for Europe.”

Behind 3 points to 1, Europe flipped the momentum by winning the final two matches. Nagore Martinez and Louise Uma Landgraf won 3 & 2 over Zoe Cusack and Rayee Feng and in the last match of the morning, John Doyle and Kris Kim won 1-up on 18 over Hamilton Coleman and Lunden Esterline.

At 3 points aside, the afternoon mixed foursome matches continued to be tight and included multiple 4-hole swings from both teams.

The U.S. sent out their star players with top-ranked Russell and Talley facing French teammates Brentcheneff and Le Goff.

Russell and Talley jumped to a quick lead, reaching 4-up through 8 holes, and then the Europeans started crawling back. Through 14 holes they inched to 3-down, then proceeded to win holes 15 and 16 to get within one. Le Goff holed a 7-foot putt on 17 to extend the match to 18, where Le Goff again holed a match-tying birdie to split the point.

“It just shows you that on this course, you can never count your chickens,” European Captain Stephen Gallacher said. “We saw two 4-up matches (this afternoon) that didn’t win. You don’t normally see that. This course, you’ve got to be on it all the time. You’ve got to hit great shots.”

The other 4-hole swing match came in favor of the Americans, when 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur Champion Coleman and New Jersey native Feng were 4-down through seven.

Hamilton and Feng won holes 8 and 9, with a par and an eagle, respectively, and then really turned it on by winning four of the last six holes.

With the match tied going into 18, Feng hit her approach to 10 feet, setting Hamilton up to sink the putt and claim the 1-up victory with a birdie.

“That was about every emotion you could feel on the golf course, in one round,” Hamilton said. “It would have been easy to give up, but we stuck with it.”

“I grabbed my putter, but kept the cover on because I had faith in him,” Feng said of Hamilton’s birdie putt on 18. “Towards the end we really pulled it together. We’re pretty great as a team.”

Hamilton’s birdie wasn’t the only U.S. match winner on 18. Colton and his afternoon partner Fang of San Diego were tied with Brent-Peterson and Couilleau going into the last hole. Fang’s approach left an up-hill, 7-foot birdie opportunity that Colton drained.

Also earning a crucial afternoon-session point for the U.S., with a little more breathing room, was Cusack and Boys’ Junior PGA Champion Esterline, winning 6 & 4 over Alice Kong of France and John Doyle of Ireland.

Full-point earners for Europe were Nagore Martinez and Alzas, defeating Peng and Puebla 3 & 2, while Charlotte Naughton and Kris Kim won 2 & 1 over Zalsman and Mawhinney.

With the U.S. Team’s slim lead going into Wednesday at Nassau, Whaley’s “lock-in” phrase for her team will continue.

“The phrase is actually Asterisk’s. That’s her phrase for when she really wants to play great golf,” Whaley said. “I think they all locked-in today. For me, locking in means every time you hit a shot, I want you focused. At the end of the day, we came out slightly ahead but I’m here to tell you we’re going to start over tomorrow. We’re going to lock-in.”

Find Out More about the Junior Ryder Cup

The Emirates PGA, a part of the Emirates Golf Federation [EGF], brings with it a vibrant and active national professional scene, with an impressive tournament schedule and a growing commitment to enhancing the value and support offered to its Members.

Through CPG membership, the organisation aims to further strengthen opportunities for UAE-based Professionals, while encouraging the growth of the profession among Emirati nationals.

This new partnership creates exciting opportunities for collaboration across tournament activity, education, and member services, complementing CPG’s long-standing presence in the UAE through events such as the AESGC International Pro-Am, and via the GolfSixes League Project that has been successfully operated by the EGF in Abu Dhabi.

“The Emirates PGA event offering has strengthened significantly this season, with the number of events growing by 22%,” said EGF Director of Operations, Kieren Pratt. “With over 150 members from all corners of the globe, the EPGA provides a diverse and premium tournament, education, and social offering. This expansion not only creates more competitive opportunities for our professionals but also enhances the value we deliver to clubs, partners, and the wider golfing community.”

Together, the CPG and Emirates PGA will explore ways to elevate coaching, playing, and professional standards, while ensuring that local golf professionals are connected to a global network of shared learning, tools, and support via the CPG Learning Institute and wider international programmes.

“CPG, as an Association, has been through significant change over the last few years, working hard to develop a suite of services and products that provide tools, opportunities and experiences to, and through, national associations and their Members, whilst still retaining the core principles and benefits that were founded some 35 years ago,” said Ian Randell, CPG Chief Executive.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming the Emirates PGA back into our membership as they recognise the potential to supplement their own efforts, activities and member benefits through collaboration.”

The addition of the Emirates PGA reinforces the CPG’s growing role as a hub for PGAs across the world – fostering collaboration that strengthens the game at every level

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For more information on the Emirates PGA visit cp.golf/3GhAAfz and for more on CPG Member Countries, visit cpg.golf/members.

With cutting-edge technology, climate-controlled facilities, and the largest coaching team in the club’s history, the academy is redefining how golf is taught, played, and enjoyed in the region.

We sat down with Marc Arnold, Director of Instruction at Yas Links, to explore the philosophy behind the academy, the impact of its new tools and facilities, and what visiting PGA Professionals, players, and the wider community can expect from this exciting new chapter.

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Q: Yas Links is home to some of the most advanced coaching technology in the region, including PLATFORM Golf, Swing Catalyst, Sam PuttLab and Trackman. How do these tools change the game for visiting PGA Professionals and players looking for a true high-performance training experience?

Marc Arnold: We’ve invested heavily in the academy, bringing in some of the most advanced technology and coaching platforms available. PLATFORM Golf played a key role in rebuilding the academy from the ground up into what it is today.

These tools allow us to offer a much more data-driven, engaging coaching experience – not just for elite players, but for everyone.

Whether it’s juniors, beginners, or seasoned golfers, we can tailor the experience based on real-time data from Trackman, Swing Catalyst, and more.

This technology helps us elevate coaching at all levels and has become an integral part of our school programmes, junior development initiatives, and everyday lessons. It’s a real step forward in making high-performance golf accessible to all.

Q: With year-round access, including climate-controlled indoor facilities, Yas Links is able to maintain player development and coaching programmes throughout the summer. How has this helped your in-house team continue delivering consistent results during Abu Dhabi’s hotter months?

Marc Arnold: Living in the Middle East, the summer heat does have a big impact on participation. Traditionally, we see a drop-off from early June to the end of August. But with the addition of indoor, climate-controlled facilities, we’re able to offer our students a consistent coaching environment all year round.

Our professionals are using the studios every day during the hotter months. This means we’ve been able to retain more students over the summer, keep revenue steady, and continue delivering top-level coaching. The feedback from our members and guests has been really positive – it’s made a huge difference for the academy and the business overall.

Q: How do group coaching programmes and Viya Golf’s expanding academy network support your long-term growth strategy?

Marc Arnold: We’ve made great strides this year, not just at Yas Links, but across our academies at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Acres Golf & Country Club as well. Each location is seeing strong growth, particularly in group programmes and private lessons.

Our coaching team has grown too – bringing in professionals with a broad range of experience and skills. That expansion has allowed us to offer more and tailor our services to a wider audience.

We’re continuing to look at ways to grow, whether through school engagement, expanding our junior development programme, or adding more tournaments and initiatives throughout the year. Having these facilities and the right team in place gives us the platform to keep pushing forward.

Q: Beyond the technology, the relaunch includes a clear investment in people – with the largest coaching team in the club’s history. What’s the thinking behind this growth, and how does it reflect the academy’s new philosophy?

Marc Arnold: We’re aiming to position Yas Links as one of the leading academies in the UAE, if not the Middle East. Bringing in more coaches and building the strongest team possible is a key part of that.

We’ve also introduced a new pricing structure, which allows us to offer different levels of coaching – from beginners to high-performance players. That’s opened up the academy to a much broader audience.

Another big milestone for us has been bringing in a female golf professional. We’ve seen that many women and juniors in the region feel more comfortable learning with a female coach, and we’re now able to engage with those groups in a much more meaningful way.

We’ve grown our ladies’ and juniors’ programmes, introduced par-3 social events, school programmes, and corporate clinics – all with the aim of offering more variety and value to our members and guests. It’s a complete shift in how we approach coaching and engagement.

Q: From your perspective, how does Abu Dhabi as a whole complement the golf offering at Yas Links? What can visiting players and coaching groups expect off the course in terms of hospitality, lifestyle, and culture?

Marc Arnold: Abu Dhabi is evolving rapidly. We’re seeing more hotels, more schools, more theme parks – there’s a huge amount of development and energy in the city right now.

For visiting players, it’s not just Yas Links they’re experiencing – we also have Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, both of which are world-class venues in their own right.

Off the course, visitors can enjoy fantastic restaurants, hotels, and entertainment options. The feedback we’ve had has been brilliant – many of our guests are now coming back year after year, not just for the golf, but for the complete experience that Abu Dhabi offers.

Q: With participation rising, especially among juniors and women, how is the academy approaching grassroots development? And how does this fit into your long-term vision for growing the game in Abu Dhabi and the wider region?

Marc Arnold: We’re currently reviewing our junior offering and planning to restructure it again next year to make it even stronger. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished – we had 200 juniors at our end-of-season presentation this year, which shows just how far we’ve come.

We’ve launched par-3 tournaments, attracting up to 50 juniors per event. That gives young players exposure to the competitive side of the sport, helps them learn rules and etiquette, and introduces them to different formats like scrambles.

We’re also working more closely with local schools and the Emirates Golf Federation to expand our reach and get more kids involved in the game.

There’s a lot to be excited about – including some big projects in the pipeline for 2026. I can’t say too much yet, but the work we’re doing now is laying the foundation for even greater growth in the years ahead.

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From world-class technology to grassroots development, the Yas Links Golf Academy is combining innovation with accessibility to shape the future of coaching in Abu Dhabi. With strong leadership, a growing team, and bold plans for the years ahead, it’s clear that Yas Links is setting a new benchmark for golf education and player development – not just in the UAE, but across the wider region.

To find out more about the facilities at Yas Links, including the new Golf Academy, the 18-hole championship course and the par-3 course, visit: viyagolf.com/yaslinks

As the world’s eyes turn to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, golf’s future stars will be competing in their own international showcase Sept. 23-25, at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black, for the 13th Junior Ryder Cup presented by HPE.

Captained by PGA of America Past President and PGA Master Professional Suzy Whaley, the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team features six boys and six girls who are U.S. citizens and members of the high school graduating class of 2026 or younger. The U.S. will look to re-claim the Junior Ryder Cup aided by two of the top-ranked junior golfers in America: Stanford University commit Asterisk Talley, 16, and Florida State University commit Miles Russell, 16.

Additionally, the U.S. team boasts six of the top-10-ranked boys and four of the top-10 girls in the AJGA rankings, including 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur champion and University of Georgia commit Hamilton Coleman, 17, of Augusta, Georgia, and Anna Fang, 16, of San Diego, who will join Talley as a Stanford Cardinal in the Class of 2027.

Team Europe, once again led by four-time DP World Tour winner Stephen Gallacher, a member of the victorious 2014 European Ryder Cup team, comes to New York defending its title with two returning players: Ukraine’s Lev Grinberg, 17, and England’s Kris Kim, 17. Half of the team is from France, including top-ranked U18 European Amateur Callixte Alzas, 17, who sits second on the European Amateur Golf Rankings. French native Sara Brentcheneff, 18, is also the second-ranked amateur on the European Girls’ Amateur ranking and 37th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

The U.S. Team looks to rebound from their 20 ½ – 9 ½ loss two years ago at Golf Nazionale & Marco Simone in Rome in 2023, which broke a U.S. win streak of six consecutive Junior Ryder Cups between 2008 and 2018.

As the sole returning player for the U.S., Russell will add some veteran experience and hopes to share some wisdom with his teammates.

“Rome showed me how big the stage feels, so this time I know what to expect,” said Russell, the 13th-ranked amateur in the world. “My focus is on helping my teammates stay relaxed, enjoy it and play their best.”

Russell is no stranger to playing in front of crowds with a Junior Ryder Cup and four PGA TOUR events under his belt, including the recent Procore Championship, which included the majority of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team in the field.

But when it comes to representing your country, the experience changes.

“Playing for the red, white and blue is just different,” the 2025 Junior Players champion explained. “You feel the pride and it makes you want to give everything for your team and country.”

As a PGA Master Professional and LPGA Coach, and the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a PGA TOUR event (2003 Greater Harford Open), Captain Whaley knows how to prepare her team for the pressure they will experience, especially come Thursday, Sept. 25, when the Junior Ryder Cup singles matches will take place at Bethpage Black in front of tens of thousands of fans. A stalwart in Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Teachers in America” list, she also knows her role.

“I can provide the awareness of how to bring a team together, how to make sure we have a culture of respect, grit and perseverance.”

Unlike the Ryder Cup, playing at home hasn’t always provided the upper hand. In the U.S. team’s 7-4-1 record, four of its victories came abroad, including the inaugural event in 1997 at Alcaidesa Links Golf Course in Cadiz, Spain. The others came during the 2008-18 win streak. During Europe’s three-match win streak (1999, 2002, ‘04), two of those victories were in America.

With “home-course advantage” not a factor, Whaley’s preparation has been focused on getting the best out of her team, even before they arrive in New York. She went on a fact-finding mission, watching most of the team compete at the Junior PGA Championships in August and making pre-event phone calls, learning what motivates them and what builds their confidence mid-round.

“Now during a match when I can sense there’s some nerves, I can remind them of the things they previously shared with me that aren’t mine, but that are their own.”

Whaley will also aim to create a week they can build on for the rest of their playing careers.

“I want them to make incredible relationships with the European team. Some of these players may end up playing together in college or on the professional tours. But even more than that, it gives them a stepping stone. Once you’ve played in front of 40,000 people and on the first tee of the Ryder Cup, that first big college event or first Korn Ferry Tour or Epson Tour event might just feel a little bit easier.”

Following the Junior Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony on Monday, Sept. 22, at Nassau Country Club, play will begin Tuesday with morning foursome matches and mixed foursome matches in the afternoon. Day two will feature mixed four-ball matches at Nassau CC, before they play singles at Bethpage Black Thursday.

Their matches at Bethpage mark the first time a U.S. Ryder Cup venue will host the Junior Ryder Cup singles matches on the eve of the Ryder Cup.

The Junior Ryder Cup offers a thrilling international preview of the future of professional golf. Junior Ryder Cup alumni include current Ryder Cup players Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns and Cameron Young for the U.S., and Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Højgaard for the Europeans. Other Junior Ryder Cup veterans include Solheim Cup players and LPGA Tour professionals Lexi Thompson, Alison Lee, Emily Kristine Pedersen, Leona Maguire and more.

“The Junior Ryder Cup can be a springboard for the rest of your playing career,” Whaley added. “Every single player, girl and boy, can look to that as a goal and can realize the number-one player in the world was once in their shoes.”

Find Out More about the Junior Ryder Cup

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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The search is on once again to celebrate the very best in golf. The CPG Annual Awards Supported by Rolex honour outstanding PGA Professionals, coaches, and projects that make a lasting impact on the game, and nominations are now open for 2025.

Since 1992, the Awards have shone a light on individuals and initiatives that embody excellence, innovation, and dedication. Previous recipients include some of the game’s most influential figures such as Severiano Ballesteros, Paul Lawrie, Catriona Matthew, and Bernhard Langer, Hugh Marr, and David Rickman MBE, alongside inspirational projects like Project Ukraine and the Golf & Health Project.

The Awards this year are as follows:

• The Christer Lindberg Bowl – Awarded for Services to Golf
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Awarded for exceptional achievements in Golf
• CPG Special Recognition Award – Awarded to an individual that has done much to promote golf and/or the activities of the CPG
• 5-Star Professional Award – Awarded to a PGA Professional who has excelled in the profession
• The John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching – Awarded to a coach that has excelled in their field (not necessarily at the elite level)
• The President’s Award for Golf Development – Awarded to a project or individual that has significantly contributed to the development of the game

Nominations are being sought in three of the categories from across the CPG Network and we invite you to nominate a person or project you feel deserving:

• 5-Star Professional Award
• John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching
• President’s Award for Golf Development

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Download Nomination Information [PDF 0.5MB]

Download Roll of Honour [PDF 0.2MB]

Winners will join the illustrious roll of honour and be celebrated during the CPG Festival of Golf at Porto Carras, Greece, in October.

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📅 Nominations close on Friday 26 September 2025.

👉 Submit your nomination here