Rolex's support of junior golf and the AJGA spans more than three decades. Along the way, there have been moments of excellence. The AJGA, in partnership with Rolex, seeks to celebrate these moments and recognize the accomplishments of junior golfers both on and off the course.
Carson Kim may have been the last one added to the United States Junior Presidents Cup team, but his impact on the squad exceeded that of any other player.
The Yorba Linda, California, native was No. 14 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings when the initial 11 players were chosen for the US Team, just missing the cutoff. The final spot was set to be selected following The Junior PLAYERS Championship presented by Rolex over Labor Day weekend. Kim finished fourth in the event, vaulting himself into the final spot on Team USA.
"To represent the US in the Junior Presidents Cup meant a lot. Typically we play for ourselves individually and these are the guys we are playing against in tournaments. To be able to come together this week and play as a team and play for our country was really special."
Kim wasn't bothered by gaining the last spot on the team. He viewed it as a challenge and made the most of the opportunity, winning his three matches at the Junior Presidents Cup to go 3-0-0 in competition.
He was partnered with Aaron Pounds of The Woodlands, Texas, for the Four-ball format of the first day of competition. He and Pounds defeated the International's Rayhan Abdul Latief and Jonathan Xavier Hartono, both of Indonesia, 3 & 1. In the afternoon of day one Kim was paired with Jackson Koivun of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for the Foursome format. Kim and Koivun defeated the International's Joshua Bai and Jayden Ford, both of New Zealand, 3 & 1.
On the second day of the competition, Kim again faced Latief, but this time in Singles competition. Kim bettered Latief 5 & 3, earning the second largest victory of the competition for the US Team.
To showcase just how dominant Kim was, through the three sessions of competition, he never played the No. 18 hole. Each of his matches was closed out prior to the finishing hole at Myers Park Country Club.
Kim credits the team with his success, including the US Team Captain, Notah Begay III. Begay III helped orchestrate the US to victory for the third time, using the event to provide advice to the juniors regarding the event and to help guide them through their future careers.
"Having Notah Begay as the captain was so special to us. He was such a good captain for us all week. From his knowledge about golf to helping us map out the course and develop a good game plan, he was really helpful. He also brought our team together and supported us the whole way and he really inspired us to support one another and fight for each other."