Players of the Year

Each year, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation recognizes a top performing boy and girl competing throughout an entire golf season. To be eligible for this recognition, players must earn Tour Champion honors at a U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour and participate in an 18-hole age group during the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship (Girls 10-12, Boys 9-12). The National Player of the Year Award winner is the highest finisher at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship who meets the above criteria. Recipients of this award receive Lifetime Priority Status, guaranteeing them an exemption into all U.S. Kids Golf events through age 18.

The 2025 Player of the Year qualifying cycle included the Spring 2024 - Winter 2024 Local Tours, and the 2025 World Championship.

“Being Player of the Year means you’ve set yourself apart through a lot of hard work, dedication, and drive,” said Dan Van Horn, President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. “I’m continually astounded at the talent I see among these young players, and to receive this award among such an elite group means you’ve distinguished yourself as truly one of the best in the world.”

2025 U.S. Kids Golf Players of the Year

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 U.S. Kids Golf Players of the Year are Graham Schmidt, age 11, of Andale, KS and Zara Staley, age 13, of Sarasota, FL.

Schmidt is now a back-to-back winner of the Player of the Year. Graham qualified via the Wichita Local Tour, claiming Tour Champion honors in the 2024 Fall Tour. Graham won the Boys 10 World Championship with rounds of 67, 65, and 68 for a 200 (-16) total.

Staley claimed Tour Champion honors in the 2024 Tampa Fall Local Tour. She posted rounds of 65, 71, and 67 for a 203 (-13) total, to claim the title of World Champion in Girls 12.

Congratulations to our Players of the Year!

Previous Players of the Year

2024 Players of the Year

Emily Gu
Graham Schmidt

2023 Players of the Year

Iris Lee
Noah Hollinger

2022 Players of the Year

Kennedy Gutierrez
Anthony Wu

2021 Players of the Year

Rina Kawasaki
Hudson Justus

2020 Players of the Year

Ariel Collins
Chase Hughes

2019 Players of the Year

Lily Peng
John John Santospago

2018 Players of the Year

Aditya Das
Saanvi Kotti

2017 Players of the Year

Cindy Song
Patmon Malcom

2016 Players of the Year

Karoline Tuttle
Shawn Coultoff

2015 Players of the Year

Yae Eun Kim
Luke Clanton

2014 Players of the Year

Taylor Roberts
Narayan Mohan

2013 Players of the Year

Mimi Chen
Michael Thorbjornsen

About U.S. Kids Golf:

U.S. Kids Golf is the world’s leading organization for growing, promoting, and enhancing golf among youth and families. Founded in 1997, U.S. Kids Golf offers three distinct lines of clubs in up to ten sizes, hosts more than 1850 tournaments–including the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship held annually in Pinehurst, North Carolina–and has over 1500 members as part of its Coaches Institute. Additionally, the organization is active in several projects and campaigns designed to grow the sport among important demographics. In 2018, U.S. Kids Golf was recognized by the National Golf Foundation as one of the “Top 100 Businesses in Golf” based on influence, innovation, and social awareness, among other criteria.

Connect with U.S. Kids Golf: