Nurturing the Future of Golf
In late 2012, Nashawtuc's Director of Golf, Chris Carpenter, set out to build on the growing interest in junior golf at the club. Inspired by the success of all-star baseball and select club hockey programs, Carpenter envisioned a platform where top male and female junior golfers could train and grow together in an elite, collaborative environment.
After developing an initial framework, Carpenter presented his vision to the Golf Committee, Membership Committee, and Board of Directors. By December 2012, the Junior Select Program was officially launched, introducing a new Junior Select Membership category for qualifying juniors.
Since its inception, the Junior Select Program has not only nurtured a pipeline of exceptional young golfers but also illustrated how golf can unlock unparalleled opportunities in education and life beyond the course.
Reflecting on the program in an interview with the PGA of America, Carpenter shared:
“The ability to recruit top junior golfers to make Nashawtuc their home club has given us the mass we needed to create a great environment for junior golfers. We as professionals and parents can push kids into golf as hard as we want, but when kids are pulled into participation by their peers, it is much more effective and long-lasting."
The program’s success is underscored by the achievements of former participants, including:
- Jackson Lang: Ouimet Champion
- Matt Organisak: Mass Amateur Champion, Ouimet Champion
- Michael Thorbjornsen: Mass Amateur Champion, U.S. Junior Amateur Champion, PGA Tour Member
- Xavier Marcoux: New England Amateur Champion
The Junior Select Program continues to exemplify Nashawtuc's commitment to cultivating and inspiring the next generation of golfers to reach their full potential on and off the course.