RICHMOND, Va. – Andy Walker will coach Team USA at the prestigious Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan this summer.
The second-year Virginia Commonwealth University Athletics (VCU) head coach and 2022 Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year will steer the United States’ squad as it seeks its 10th Junior Golf World Cup title since the event’s inception in 1992.
“I’d like to thank Gregg Grost and J.R. Steinbauer for thinking of me with for prestigious opportunity. It’s always been a dream of mine to represent my country, my family, and now VCU in a world-class international event,” Walker said. “To be chosen to coach Team USA at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup is an honor, and I’m humbled. I’m looking forward to leading Team USA in Japan to the World Cup Title, but in the meantime, we have some big tournaments to win here at VCU. This will be a great summer as we pursue an A-10 title, a great showing at the NCAA Championships and a Junior World Cup title!”
Steinbauer, tournament director for the Junior Orange Bowl and Team USA captain, as well as Grost, the executive director of the Golf Coach Association of America (GCAA), spearhead the committee that selected Walker to lead this year’s team.
“Andy Walker has won at every level of golf as a player and coach, and he’s one of the best mentors in our game today. We’re thrilled to have him on board to lead Team USA this summer at the Junior Golf World Cup,” Steinbauer said.
The 54-hole stroke-play tournament will pit 16 international squads against each other June 20-23 at Chukyo Golf Club in Aichi, Japan. Each team is comprised of four players who are 18 and under and not currently competing in college. The top three players from teams score each round.
The tournament returned in 2022 following a two-year layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada captured last year’s crown, while Albert Hansson of Sweden claimed individual medalist honors.
A number of future PGA professionals have competed at the tournament, including 2022 Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler, Hunter Mahan and Cameron Champ for the United States, as well as 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, as well as U.S. Open winners Justin Rose and Jon Rahm on the international side.
