Players of the Year

Each year, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation recognizes its top-rated boy and girl competing over the course of an entire golf season. To be eligible for this recognition, players must earn Player of the Year 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 2022 Player of the Year qualifying cycle includes the Summer 2021-Spring 2022 Local Tours, and the 2022 World Championship. Beginning with the 2022 Players of the Year, the award will be announced in August, after the 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.”

2022 U.S. Kids Golf Players of the Year

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is pleased to announce the 2022 U.S. Kids Golf Players of the Year are Kennedy Gutierrez, age 12, from Valparaiso, IN, and Anthony Wu, age 12, of Irvine, CA.

Gutierrez qualified via the Indianapolis Local Tour, claiming Tour Champion honors in the 2022 Spring Tour. Rina posted rounds of 71 (-1), 70 (-2), and 69 (-3), to tie for fifth at the 2022 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship (Girls 12).

Wu claimed Tour Champion honors via the Central Jersey Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Local Tours, and won the World Championship (Boys 12) in 2022, with rounds of 67 (-5), 67 (-5), and 72 (E). Anthony's total score of (-10) decided the Player of the Year tie breaker over two other World Champions.

Congratulations to our Players of the Year!

Previous Players of the Year

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

2012 Players of the Year

Yujeong Son
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.

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