Catching Up With USNJT Member Luke Colton

Luke Colton is in his second year as a member of the U.S. National Junior Team. The Frisco, Texas, resident advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur at Trinity Forest Golf Club, in Dallas, falling to eventual champion and fellow 2026 USNJT member Hamilton Coleman. Colton has signed to play for Vanderbilt University this fall and he recently reflected on his 2025 season.

You were one of five players on this team to play in the Sahalee Players Championship this fall. What was the experience like for you? What was it like playing with the guys in a team event?

Colton: It was an amazing experience being able to compete with college players on such a challenging course. It was also fun to be able to compete and cheer on the guys on my team, who usually I’m competing against. Overall, it was a great week and everyone on the team learned a lot.

You were one of four players on this team to be invited to the Walker Cup practice session in December. What was your reaction when you learned the news? What does that mean for you in your golf journey?

Colton: I was super excited to hear the news; it’s a huge honor to be considered for the practice session and hopefully I’ll be able to make the actual [10-man] team this fall.

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

Colton: It’s very hard to say who has had the most impact because everyone involved has helped me so much, but I would say Coach [Chris] Zambri. He has worked so hard to be supportive of this program and help everyone get better with whatever they need, and I think he has helped my game a ton over the past year.

How has being a part of the National Junior Team helped you in your golf journey?

Colton: Being on the team has helped me with some of the things that I might have overlooked before. Things like nutrition, fitness, course management and practice plans; the USNDP has so many professionals in all these fields, and it has been so helpful. Being able to build relationships with everyone on the team has been awesome.

You signed with Vanderbilt this fall with fellow USNJT member Tyler Mawhinney. How has being a part of this team together strengthened your relationship with Tyler on and off the course?

Colton: Me and Tyler have been able to spend a lot of time together at these camps, and I think that we have been able to learn a lot, not only about each other's games, but what we enjoy off the golf course too. At the fall camp in Kentucky (The Club at Olde Stone), we played a bunch of pickleball and basketball together and doing things like that has really gotten us closer.