The Chattanooga Mocs have dipped their toes in international waters for years. Men’s golfers from all over Europe have made their way to the Scenic City to build on their golf careers while earning a splendid education. Now the show is on the other foot.
Coach Blaine Woodruff is headed overseas to coach Team USA in the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. The event is June 19-22 at Chukyo Golf Club in Toyota City, Japan.
“I’m very honored to have the opportunity to lead our team in Japan,” Woodruff shared.
“It is quite humbling to represent your country, and the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup is a fantastic event. We’ll do our best to bring the Cup home with us.
“Just as importantly, this is an opportunity for our young men and women to experience another country and culture. It’s a fabulous learning experience for them along with the chance to compete on the world stage.”
There are 12 countries/continents represented.
Boys: USA, Australia, Colombia, England, Korea, Sweden, Two Combined Teams for Continent of Africa & Two Combined Teams for Central & North America/Caribbean)
Girls: USA, Australia, The Netherlands, Peru, South Africa, Spain & Two Combined Teams for Central & North America/Caribbean)
The Toyota Junior World Cup has been in existence for more than 30 years with the U.S., claiming nine titles with the most recent coming in 2017. It’s a 72-hole stroke play format with teams earning trophies for first, second and third place finishes as well as an individual medalist round.
The format is each team has three players. The top two scores of the three entries count each day to the team total.
Japan swept the boys and girls titles in 2023 with Canada as runner up on the boys side and the U.S. a close second with the girls. The list of major champions who are Toyota Junior Golf World Cup alumni features the last three Masters winners — Hideki Matsuyama, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm. It also includes the likes of Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Cameron Smith, Danny Willett, Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters) and Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open Championship).
On the girls’ side, three recent participants also won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur — Japan’s Tsubasa Kajitani (2021), 2022 Champ Anna Davis (USA) and American Rose Zhang (2023). Zhang made history shortly after her appearance, becoming the first player in 71 years to win an LPGA event in her professional debut.
Team USA alums along with Scheffler include Hunter Mahan, Ted Oh, David Gossett, Cameron Champ, Cameron Young, Bud Cauley, Kevin Chappell, Russell Henley, Patton Kizzire, Luke List, Andrew Putnam, Kyle Stanley and Norman Ziong.