Sahalee Country Club, Sammamish, Washington, September 8, 2025
News Summary
The U.S. Junior National Team made a notable debut at the Sahalee Players Championship, finishing fourth out of 12 teams with a competitive score of 15 over par. Leading at various points during the first round, the team showcased their talent against some of the nation’s best collegiate players. Key player Tyler Watts finished tied for fourth individually, highlighting the team’s potential for future competitions. This historic participation marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time a U.S. National team has competed in a collegiate golf event.
Sammamish, Washington —
USJNT Makes a Big Splash at Sahalee Players Championship
The U.S. Junior National Team turned heads this weekend at the famed Sahalee Country Club, charging into a tough collegiate field and walking away with a strong fourth-place finish. Against 11 other squads stacked with top college talent, the young national crew proved they belong on big stages.
This wasn’t just any tournament showing. The USJNT found itself leading at several points during the first round on Saturday morning, flashing the kind of fire that makes fans sit up and take notice. By the final putt, the team finished 15 over par, good for fourth overall and trailing only Arizona State, Texas, and UCLA. The margin to the winners was a respectable 12 shots in what turned out to be a tight, competitive weekend.
Who was in the mix
The team roster read like a who’s who of rising talent: Ronin Banerjee, Luke Colton, Jessy Huebner, Tyler Mawhinney, and Tyler Watts. Individually, Tyler Watts stole the spotlight with a tie for fourth place at 1 under par, finishing just two shots off the top spot taken by Tyler Siravo of Pepperdine. Other teammates posted solid results that helped lift the squad into the top third of the field — Jessy Huebner finished tied for 20th, Tyler Mawhinney tied for 33rd, Ronin Banerjee tied for 41st, and Luke Colton tied for 48th.
Historic firsts and behind-the-scenes hustle
This outing was more than a good result. It marked the first time a U.S. National team has played in a collegiate golf event. The path to the starting tee wasn’t automatic. The USJNT secured its spot after another team backed out last year, and it took months of compliance work to make it happen. Washington men’s coach Alan Murray spent time working through NCAA compliance hurdles to clear the team’s participation. Leading the group on-site was Chris Zambri, coach of the National Development Team and a one-time college coach himself, guiding the young players through course strategy and tournament pressure.
What the finish means
For golf fans watching, the result felt like a statement. Finishing ahead of programs such as Pepperdine, North Carolina, and Florida tells you this group isn’t here to make up numbers — they came to compete. The experience gained at a venue as challenging as Sahalee will pay dividends as these players develop and chase college and national team opportunities.
The weekend also gave the USJNT a chance to test its nerves and scoring in real pressure conditions. Leading early in a round, battling through tough lies and greens, and seeing how individual scores add up in a team setting are lessons you only get in these moments. This debut was a bold introduction to competitive college-level golf and set a high benchmark for what this national program can do next.
Big names ahead and small margins
Arizona State finished as the tournament winners, with Texas and UCLA rounding out the podium. The USJNT’s 12-shot gap to the champions shows the team is within striking distance; a few rolls here or a bounce there and the leaderboard could look very different. For now, the takeaway is clear: the U.S. Junior National Team arrived, performed, and left plenty of people intrigued about what comes next.
Next steps
The team will no doubt carry the momentum and lessons from Sahalee into future events. For golf followers, this weekend was a reminder to watch these names — some already proven individually, others still finding their stride — as they move into college golf and beyond.
FAQ
What was the USJNT’s final team result?
The U.S. Junior National Team finished fourth out of 12 teams with a total score of 15 over par.
Who coached the USJNT at Sahalee?
Chris Zambri, coach of the National Development Team and a former college coach, led the team at the championship, with administrative support on NCAA compliance from Washington men’s coach Alan Murray.
How did the individual players perform?
Tyler Watts tied for fourth individually at 1 under par. Jessy Huebner tied for 20th, Tyler Mawhinney tied for 33rd, Ronin Banerjee tied for 41st, and Luke Colton tied for 48th.
Was this a historic appearance?
Yes. This was the first time a U.S. National team participated in a collegiate golf event.
How did the USJNT get into the tournament?
The team secured a spot in the tournament field after another team withdrew last year, and clearance required months of NCAA compliance work.
Quick Facts Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Sahalee Players Championship |
| Location | Sahalee Country Club, Sammamish, Washington |
| USJNT Finish | 4th of 12 teams |
| Team Score | 15 over par |
| Gap to Winners | 12 shots behind Arizona State |
| Top USJNT Individual | Tyler Watts, T-4, 1 under par |
| Roster | Ronin Banerjee, Luke Colton, Jessy Huebner, Tyler Mawhinney, Tyler Watts |
| Coach | Chris Zambri (National Development Team coach) |
| Historic Note | First U.S. National team to play in a collegiate golf event |
In short, Sahalee served notice: the U.S. Junior National Team is loud, proud, and ready to mix it up with college heavyweights. Keep an eye on these names — the next time they show up, they might be closer to the top.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Providence College Men’s Golf Returns to Varsity Competition
Kent State Starts Strong at Pan Pacific Golf Super League
Massachusetts High School Sports Season Kicks Off with Golf
Miranda Wang Clinches First LPGA Title at FM Championship
Pelham’s Local Sports Updates: New Coaches and Golf Events
College Students Return to Boston Amid Federal Concerns
Arman Newton Shows Grit and Growth at Canadian Junior Tour
Arman Newton Showcases Talent at CJGA Championship and Caribbean Event
Leaders Emerge at LPGA FM Championship in Boston
Ryder Cup Shockwave: Captain Keegan Bradley Exits Playing Roster
Additional Resources
- Golfweek: USJNT Makes a Big Splash at Sahalee Players Championship
- West Seattle Blog: West Seattle High School Football Victory
- Pepperdine Waves: Women’s Soccer Q&A with Alex Hobbs
- Seattle Seahawks: Future of Football – Flag Football
- Bellevue Reporter: Totems Football Program Improves
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Google Search: US Junior National Team golf
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: College Golf
- Google Scholar: College Golf
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
