Webb Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion, will serve as the honorary chairman of the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, to be played at The Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) in Pinehurst, N.C., from July 19-24.
“The opportunity to assist with the players’ experiences at one of my home clubs for a USGA championship is very special to me,” said Simpson, a native of Raleigh, N.C., is competing in his third Presidents Cup from Dec. 12-15 in Melbourne, Australia. “I’m thrilled that they will be able to share what The Country Club of North Carolina community has to offer, in addition to its fantastic courses. We want the players to feel at home and feel the warmth of our hospitality. I am so proud to be part of the U.S. Junior Amateur at CCNC.”
Simpson, 34, who grew up playing at CCNC and hosts a local youth tournament called the Webb Simpson Challenge, will be involved with pre-championship activities as well as player/club-related functions during the competition dates.
“The USGA is honored to have Webb serve as our honorary chairman at his home club in his home state,” said Mark Hill, managing director, Championships. “The U.S. Junior Amateur attracts the best players and we are excited that the next generation of elite golfers will have the opportunity to be in the presence of a U.S. Open champion. We look forward to the excitement he will bring to the player and fan experience.”
"The Country Club of North Carolina is tremendously pleased to have one of our own, U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, serve as the honorary chairman of the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur," said club president Tom Beddow. "He knows our courses from playing them for so many years and he knows what competitors feel when they visit any place for the first time. He's perfect for this position because he's a member, a Carolinian and a great family man."
Established in 1948 by the USGA, the U.S. Junior Amateur is open to amateur golfers who have not reached their 19th birthday by the conclusion of that year’s championship and who have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 4.4. It is one of 14 championships conducted annually by the USGA. Among the notable champions are three-time winner Tiger Woods, two-time winner Jordan Spieth, Johnny Miller and David Duval.
Simpson’s best finish in two U.S. Junior Amateur starts was in 2003 when he advanced to the quarterfinals at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Md., where he lost to Patton Kizzire.
The 2021 championship at CCNC will mark the second time the championship’s expanded field format is employed. The expanded field – from 156 to 264 players – will debut for the 2020 U.S. Junior Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club and Chaska Town Course in Chaska, Minn., scheduled for July 20-25.
In 2021, the Dogwood Course will be used for both stroke play and match play and the Cardinal Course will be the stroke-play co-host.
The 74th U.S. Junior Amateur will be the third USGA championship to be conducted at The Country Club of North Carolina. Previously, Hal Sutton won the 1980 U.S. Amateur and Doris Chen won the 2010 U.S. Girls’ Junior.
A five-time PGA Tour winner and a three-time USA Ryder Cup team member (2012, 2014, 2018), Simpson shot 68 in the final round of the 2012 U.S Open at The Olympic Club in Daly City, Calif., to overcome a four-stroke deficit and edge Graeme McDowell and Michael Thompson by one stroke. A three-time All-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2008, Simpson played collegiately at Wake Forest University. He was a member of the victorious USA Walker Cup (2007) and Palmer Cup (2007) teams.
