Q&A with USNJT Member Scarlett Schremmer

The USGA recently established the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team as part of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP). This initiative aims to ensure American golf remains a global leader by focusing on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and financial support. One of the 10 girls named to the inaugural team, 17-year-old Scarlett Schremmer, of Birmingham, Ala., reflected on her 2024 season as well as the growth she's experienced both on and off the course, thanks to her involvement in the program. Torry Rees, the coordinator for the U.S. National Development Program, caught up with Schremmer before the team’s second training camp, held Oct. 23-26 at Trinity Forest Golf Club, in Dallas, Texas.

You’ve been a part of the team for a while now. Has the experience sunk in yet? How does it feel to represent the United States and be part of the inaugural National Junior Team?

Schremmer: I’ve played on a few teams this year – Wyndham Cup, [Junior] Solheim Cup, our match against Australia [at SentryWorld in Wisconsin], and the World [Girls’] Junior in Canada. But representing your country is a completely different feeling. It adds a level of passion to everything you do.

This year, with it being an Olympic year, it feels even more surreal. With the resources the national team provides, I feel like I’ve opened doors and made progress I wouldn’t have otherwise. Everywhere I go, people ask me what it’s like to be on the U.S. National Team: it’s such a cool opportunity.

My mom (Patricia) played professional golf, and I often think about how great it would’ve been if this program existed when she was playing junior golf. Being part of the first team is incredible. It’s still sinking in, but as I get older, I’ll appreciate it even more. It gives me confidence, especially knowing I’m one of ten [girls] selected to help grow the game and move it forward.

Even the professional golfers who speak to us, like Lexi Thompson, Megan Khang, and Alison Lee, tell us how lucky we are to have this program. It’s been an amazing experience.

What’s been the biggest improvement in your game since joining the National Junior Team?

Schremmer: Honestly, it sounds basic, but I didn’t know much about stats before. I used to keep basic stats with my mom, who’s my coach, but [U.S.] Coach [Chris] Zambri really ingrained the importance of tracking everything, whether in practice or competition. It’s about doing all the small things to perform at your best.

I’ve also worked with our nutritionist, Rob Yang, to better understand how my body works and how what I put into it impacts my performance. That’s been huge for me. On an emotional level, the support we get from MK (Mary Kate Lynch), [Dr.] Beth Brown, Mo (Martin), and others is invaluable. It feels like a family. This summer, having Beth on the first tee with me made me feel supported and ready to go.

I’ve also never played much team golf before, and learning to work as part of a team has been a valuable lesson. It’s something that will carry over into college and, hopefully, my professional career.

Who in the program has had the biggest impact on you and why?

Schremmer: There are so many, but I’d say [Dr.] Beth Brown has had the biggest impact on me. She’s made me feel so confident and comfortable on the course. We have a group chat with the coaches, including Mo Martin, Tiffany Joh, and Coach Zambri, and I always feel like I can reach out for advice.

Beth really helped me at the U.S. Women’s Amateur this year [at Southern Hills Country Club]. Before my first match [in the Round of 64], I was nervous about playing [against] someone who seemed better than me on paper. She just hugged me and said, “Whatever happens, happens. Go get it.” That stuck with me, and I ended up winning that match [1 up over Momo Kamiya, of Japan] and a couple more (she lost to eventual champion Rianne Malixi, 3 and 2, in the Round of 16). Having her as a “team mom” has been such an important part of my journey.

One of your Instagram captions, “Joy in the journey,” felt meaningful. What does that phrase mean to you, and how do you stay positive through stressful times?

Schremmer: I heard that phrase at church with some friends, and it really stuck with me. It’s in my yardage book now to remind me to step back and appreciate the bigger picture. I posted that after I qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur but had just lost a close tournament in Arkansas. I was upset, but a friend reminded me to find joy in the journey, even in setbacks.

That perspective has helped me through a lot. I’ve made new friends, played in amazing events, and had incredible experiences with the U.S. National Team. When I see kids come out to watch, I try to acknowledge them because I remember being that kid. It’s important to recognize all the good things that come your way and appreciate the journey, not just the destination.

What’s one piece of information that you’ve learned through either your teammates or coaches that has been transformative?

Schremmer: I feel like I've always been someone that's never wanted to give up. But it's easy to get comfortable, especially if you're having success. At the World Junior [Girls Championship] in Canada, we talked about how it's never over until it's over. There's always a chance you can lose or win. It's important to be realistic about your expectations and how things can go. Nothing ever goes according to plan, and you have to focus on controlling what you can. Whether you're leading or trailing, you have to grind it out.

At the World Junior, we were pretty far back after the first round, and we didn’t play well. My teammates, Nikki Oh and Chloe Kovelesky and I, reminded each other that we were Team USA – we should be leading by 10! After that, we shot 11 or 12 under as a team and got back in the race [to finish third]. For me, realizing that others share my mindset of never giving up has been really cool. You have to keep grinding, no matter what. Even in school, you don't lose anything by trying hard. You may not gain, but you won’t lose."

A lot of players on the team have already seen success at the highest levels in golf. What does it mean to be on a team with so much talent?

Schremmer: I'm so proud of all my teammates. They've beaten me, and I've beaten them. Even if the margins are small, I'm always rooting for them. For example, Asterisk [Talley] beat me at the U.S. Girls’ Junior, and I told her to go on and win it because she's my teammate, and I'll get her next time.

It’s so cool to see what they've accomplished. It's a competitive environment, but none of us feel jealous. We respect each other's talent and hard work. Even when results don’t go our way, we support each other. I've had rough patches, and my teammates have too, but we always encourage each other. That camaraderie is really special, and I reflect on how fortunate I am to be part of this team."

Was there a different mentality and camaraderie you had with them before joining USNJT?

Schremmer: The atmosphere has completely changed since I first met some of my teammates. Nikki and I met during a final round in Arizona where we both shot 9 under and lost in a playoff. We didn’t talk much after that – just a competitive “good luck.” But once we joined the U.S. National Team, we played in four-ball and alternate-shot matches in Wisconsin, and we understood each other’s games. Now, she's one of my best friends.

We only live an hour apart, so we play golf together when we're home. That's a friendship I never expected if we hadn't been teammates. I'm usually very focused during tournaments, but off the course, I’ve built strong connections with all the girls on the team. We support each other, whether we’re succeeding or failing, and having that group that truly understands what you're going through is really important."

What’s been your favorite moment with the team thus far?

Schremmer: There are so many moments I can't wait to share with my mom because I know she'll find them funny. I think my favorite moment was in Wisconsin during the USA vs. Australia match [at SentryWorld]. We won every match except for one, and while we were waiting for the afternoon matches, someone jokingly said, “We lost one match because we wanted the Australians to come back and play us again.”

It wasn’t even that funny, but everyone burst out laughing. It was just one of those moments where we, this group of hard-working, talented kids, could let loose and laugh over something silly. That week in Wisconsin was the best of my life. We became good friends with the Australians, but we were also serious about winning. The camaraderie and team spirit that week was unforgettable."

You made it to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, participated in the Junior Solheim Cup and recently put together an impressive 66 at the World Junior Girls Championship. What are your goals going into 2025 and beyond?

Schremmer: Looking back at 2024, I set goals like making match play at USGA events, but I didn’t aim high enough. Now, I know I'm capable of more. One of my biggest goals for 2025 is to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open [at Erin Hills].

It's tough to set goals based on specific finishes because you never know how the field will perform, but I want to keep focusing on the small things and find importance in that. I consider myself a grinder – if something goes wrong, I work even harder to fix it. In 2025, I want to continue working hard and getting to the next level. Golf is unpredictable, but if you want it badly enough, I believe you can make things happen.