PGA past president Allen Wronowski named 2018 United States Junior Ryder Cup Team Captain

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. - The PGA of America has named PGA Past President Allen Wronowski, of Bel Air, Maryland, as 2018 United States Junior Ryder Cup Team Captain. He will lead the U.S. contingent of 12 boys and girls, as they compete in the 11th Junior Ryder Cup at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, France, Sept. 24-25.

Wronowski, who served as the 37th PGA President, is a member of both the PGA of America and the Middle Atlantic PGA Section Halls of Fame. He is currently the Director of Golf Development & Relations for the Folds of Honor Foundation, where he promotes the organization's cause to provide scholarships in support of families of military veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country. 

Wronowski is also the former PGA Director of Member and Player Development at Hillendale Country Club in Phoenix, Maryland. During his 34-year tenure at the facility, he was named the Middle Atlantic PGA Section's 1999 Golf Professional of the Year, 2002 Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient and 1984 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year.

"It is a great honor and a tremendous thrill to represent the United States of America as 2018 Junior Ryder Cup Captain," said Wronowski, PGA.  "I'm excited to lead our team to Paris this fall to compete against the very best junior players in Europe, as we showcase to the world the bright future of our game through the Junior Ryder Cup."

Among the Junior Ryder Cup alumni are major champions, PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players including: Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Hunter Mahan, Tony Finau, Lexi Thompson, Alison Lee and Brittany Altomare of the United States; and Rory McIllroy, Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Colsaerts, Suzanne Peterson, Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda of Europe.

The 2018 U.S. Team will feature six boys and six girls who are U.S. citizens and members of the high school graduating class of 2019, or younger. In addition to the Junior Ryder Cup, there will be a coinciding Friendship Match at Le Golf National, site of the 2018 Ryder Cup, on Sept. 26. The U.S. and European Junior Ryder Cup Teams will also be a part of the 42nd Ryder Cup Opening Ceremonies on Sept. 27. The American team is vying for its sixth straight victory in the biennial match-play, team competition.

The six girls who qualify for the 2018 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team will be announced on July 23, following the U.S. Girls Junior Championship. The six boys who will join them on the team will be announced following the conclusion of the Boys Junior PGA Championship on Aug. 3. There will be 10 players who qualify as exemptions and two Captain's picks made by Wronowski. 

To learn more about eligibility for the 2018 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, click here.

The idea for the Junior Ryder Cup came about in 1995, when a team of Europeans played an informal exhibition match against the Central New York PGA Section and area juniors. Two years later, the Junior Ryder Cup was formally played at Alcaidesa Links Golf Course, in Cadiz, Spain, and won by the United States, 9-7.  The U.S. captured the 2016 Junior Ryder Cup at Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota, 15 1/2 to 8 1/2.
 

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