Heather Daly-Donofrio, Managing Director Player Relations and Development

Heather Daly-Donofrio, a former LPGA Tour player, is responsible for setting the overall strategy for the development and implementation of the U.S. National Development Program and National Teams, including talent identification, athlete resources, athlete development, athlete and parent education and the USNDP’s grant program. She also oversees USGA player relations and services across eight USGA championships.

Through her role with the USGA, Daly-Donofrio also sits on the Board of Directors of the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking®, is the Chairperson for the IGF Athletes Commission and serves on the IGF Competitions Committee, where she was the Technical Delegate for the women’s Olympic golf competition at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics that were eventually contested in 2021 due to COVID-19.

• LPGA – Various roles with the most recent as Chief Tour Operations Officer (2008-2022)
• LPGA Tour Player with two tournament wins (1998-2008)
• Head Coach Yale University women’s golf team (1997-2001)
• Played collegiately at Yale University, graduating with a degree in history; also attended Oxford University
• Married with one daughter; born and raised in Connecticut, but now resides in North Carolina

Chris Zambri, USNDP Head Coach Consultant

Chris Zambri is responsible for identifying, recruiting and coaching the athletes brought into the U.S. National Development Program. As the head coach of the U.S. National Teams, Chris will oversee international competition schedules, intercountry matches and training sessions and camps. He will also build and oversee a team of coaches and high-performance managers who will work with athletes throughout all levels of the program..

• Associate head men's golf coach at Pepperdine University (2020-23)
• Head men's golf coach at the University of Southern California (2006-2020)
• Golf instructor (1995-2023)
• DECADE Golf sales representative (2021-23)
• Member of the Korn Ferry Tour (1997-2000 and 2003-04)
• Qualified for two U.S. Opens (1995 and 1999)
• Born and raised in Southern California; attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in communications; sons Wyatt and Joey played collegiately at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo; married to wife Km; also has a daughter Laney

Tiffany Joh, USNDP Assistant Coach

Tiffany Joh, a two-time USGA champion and past USA Curtis Cup competitor, comes to the U.S. National Development Program after serving as a Division I college assistant and a playing career on both the LPGA and Epson Tours. Joh's gregarious personality should resonate with the young golfers she will be working with on a daily basis.

• University of Southern California women's associate head coach (2022-2024)
• California State University, San Marcos, assistant men's and women's golf coach (2021-22)
• LPGA Tour player (2011-2021)
• Played collegiately at UCLA, where she graduated with a communications degree
• Claimed the 2006 and 2008 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links titles; member of victorious 2008 USA Curtis Cup Team
• Avid surfer

Dr. Beth Brown, Senior Athlete Development Specialist

Dr. Brown is the Senior Athlete Development Specialist at the United States Golf Association. In this role, she is responsible for serving as the architect for player development, coach curricula, parent education, talent identification and player development plans for all USNDP athletes. She also drives the overall competitive and developmental structure (local, state, regional, national) to give athletes a clear pathway to progress from competitive junior golf through the professional game.

Through her role with the USGA, Beth also serves as the liaison with the LPGA Professionals of which she is a Class A Member. Dr. Brown was named LPGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year in 2025, an award that celebrates members driving growth in junior golf through innovative teaching and excellence.

• Team Aureus, Founder & CEO (2018-2023) – Focused on empowering athletes and coaches to maximize performance
• The Champion’s Mindset, Co-founder (2020-2023)
• First Tee National Office (2003-2018) – Various roles with the most recent as Managing Director, Chapter Programs & Research (2013-2018)
• Assistant Coach, University of Kansas women’s golf team
• Competed on the Epson Tour
• Earned her Ph.D. in sports psychology from the University of Kansas
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology
• LPGA Teaching Professional
• Born and raised in Sequoyah County (eastern Oklahoma); currently lives in Norman, Okla., with her golden-doodle, Truman, and near her family that includes her father, brothers, nieces and nephews

Christian Smith, Manager, Athlete and Program Development

Christian Smith focuses on high-performance athlete development and curriculum, athlete grants, coach training and parent education to further the mission of fostering future generations of American golf talent. He also collaborates with various USGA departments and golf industry partners to ensure that the USNDP has best-in-class athlete development programs, training and resources for athletes, coaches, parents and mentors.

• Assistant Head of Mental Performance, Athletic & Personal Development – IMG Academy
• Assistant Head of Mental Conditioning, Athletic & Personal Development – IMG Academy
• Senior Mental Conditioning Coach, Athletic & Personal Development – IMG Academy
• Senior Coach, Athletic & Personal Development - IMG Academy
• Mental Conditioning Coach - IMG Academies
• Mental Conditioning Coach (Summer Intern) - IMG Academies
• Volunteer Assistant Men’s Golf Coach - San Diego State University Men’s Golf Program
• Student-Athlete - Coastal Carolina University Men’s Golf Program
• Earned a B.A. in psychology at Coastal Carolina University and an M.A. in kinesiology from San Diego State University
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) & Registered Mentor with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)
• Originally from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England; he is married with one son and two cats

Scott Langley, Senior Director, Player Relations

Scott Langley serves as a bridge between the USGA and the players who compete in its championships and play under the Rules of Golf. Langley’s role encompasses three primary areas of responsibility: supporting USNDP staff in the collective effort of designing, building and executing the USNDP, contributing as a formal member of the U.S. Open inside-the-ropes setup team, and maintaining open lines of communication with players regarding the many areas in which the USGA acts to steward the game of golf forward and to conduct its championships. Through his role with the USGA, Langley also sits on the AJGA Board of Directors.

• 10-year career in professional golf; five seasons on the PGA Tour, four seasons on the Korn Ferry Tour
• Six-time member of the Player Advisory Council (PAC)
• Two years as Korn Ferry Tour PAC Chairman
• 2010 NCAA Division I individual champion
• 2010 U.S. Open low amateur
• Member of 2010 USA World Amateur Team
• Three-time Division I All-American at the University of Illinois
• First participant of First Tee to earn a PGA Tour card
• Earned his B.S. in accountancy from the University of Illinois in 2011
• Langley is married with two daughters and resides in New Jersey

Liz Fradkin, Senior Director, Player Relations

Liz Fradkin became the USGA’s first Player Relations staff member in 2018 and is responsible for reviewing player-related policies and decisions within the organization and serving as a conduit between the USGA and professional players, elite amateurs, college golf coaches, agents, parents and caddies. Through her role with the USGA, Fradkin also serves as an instructor for PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshops.

• Rules of Golf & Amateur Status Associate (2012-2013)
• Assistant Director, U.S. Women’s Amateur (2014-2018)
• Championship Director, USGA Women’s State Team Championship (2016-2017)
• The Minnesota native played collegiately at Rutgers University (team captain), where she earned a B.S. in exercise science and sports management, while minoring in mathematics
• Resides in New Jersey with her husband, Jake, and their two children
• Started playing the game by “tagging along” with her father and two older brothers which turned into competitive family Cup Matches

Chereé Hicks, Senior Manager, Grants and Operations

Hicks oversees the comprehensive management of the U.S. National Development Program's external grants and funding operations, as well as the program's technology systems and strategic initiatives. .

• PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, Inc. – Various roles with the most recent as Manager, Alumni Relations (2019-2023)
• NCAA track and field coach (2002–2018)
• USA Track and Field (USATF) Paralympic Coach of the Year
• IAAF World Junior (U20) Championships Team assistant coach (throws) (Moncton, Canada)
• 7-time NCAA Division I track and field All-American; 3-time NCAA Division I runner-up
• USA Pan American Junior (U20) Team Member (Havana, Cuba)
• Third place, shot put – Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
• Graduated from Syracuse University with a public relations degree; earned her M.A. in liberal studies from the University of Miami

Charlie Capasso, Director Operations

Capasso is the Director of Operations of the USNDP. He is responsible for executing and managing the overall program to support and drive talent identification, game improvement, player development, and grant investments. In the 11 years at the USGA before joining USNDP, Charlie spent five years in the Broadcast & Digital Media department and six years in GHIN where he served as Director of Golfer Products..

• Director, GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network)
• Digital Analyst at NHL
• Marketing Intern with Philadelphia Eagles
• P.J. Boatwright Intern with Pennsylvania Golf Association
• Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in finance; earned M.S. in sports management from Columbia University
• Born and raised in Pennsylvania; currently lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children

Pilar Berchot, USNDP Grants Coordinator

Berchot is responsible for supporting the effective administration of the U.S. National Development Program’s athlete funding by managing day-to-day grant operations, maintaining stakeholder communications and ensuring accurate reporting. They serve as the primary point of contact for applicants and recipients, coordinate the grant application and disbursement process, and help maintain data systems and reporting dashboards. Additionally, they provide administrative support and contribute to continuous improvements in grant procedures to ensure the program runs smoothly and transparently.

• Team Lead – USGA Pathways Program at U.S. Open in Oakmont, Pa.
• Assistant Academic Coordinator – Football team at North Carolina State
• Intern – USGA Pathways Program at U.S. Open in Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
• Graduate assistant coach for NCAA Division II women’s and men’s golf teams at King University
• Member of various student-athlete organizations such as Pack United, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee & Pack International
• Graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in psychology; member of the school's women's golf team
• Earned her MBA in management from King University
• Born and raised in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Currently, she resides in Raleigh, N.C., with her husband and two rescue cats named Zuko & Memphis

BJ DeLong, Director, Data and Technology for USNDP

DeLong is a director for the U.S. National Development Program at the USGA. In this role, he is responsible for setting the data and technology strategy, focusing on talent identification and evaluation, athlete and parent resources, development, education as well as USNDP’s grant program. In the 10 years at the USGA prior to joining USNDP, BJ spent five years as Project Manager in the technology department and five years supporting World Handicapping System (and GHIN) as director of USGA data services.

• White & Case, LLP (2006-2013), Director of Project Management
• Spiral Partners, LLC (2001-2006), Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer
• FutureNext Corporation (1993-2001), Project Manager
• Earned a B.S. in mathematics and a B.S. in operations and strategic management from Boston College in 1993
• Born and raised in New Jersey; now resides in Cranford, N.J., with his wife, Jennifer, two children and two goldendoodles.

Mary Kate Lynch, Team Manager, USNDP

Mary Kate Lynch serves as the Team Manager for the Curtis Cup, Men’s and Women’s World Amateur Team and World Junior Girls Teams. Lynch also assists the USNDP coaching staff with the delivery of national camps, training sessions, intercountry matches and tournament scheduling.

• Lehigh University, head women’s golf coach (2017-2024)
• Lehigh University, Athletics, Partnership Representative (2021-24)
• Lehigh University, Athletics, Event Manager (2018-2022)
• Saint Francis University, head women’s golf coach (2011-2016)
• First Tee - Raritan Valley, Program Director (2016-2018); First Tee - Monmouth and Ocean, Program Director (2009-2011)
• Graduate of Saint Francis University with a degree in sociology, and an M.S. in human resource management
• Born and raised in Somerville, N.J.; now lives in Bethlehem, Pa.; she and her husband, Ryan, have two sons, Owen and Brooks

Chris Tanabe, Assistant Manager, USNDP

Chris Tanabe serves as the Assistant Manager for the United States Golf Association’s National Development Program (USNDP) and as Team Manager for the USA Walker Cup Team. In his role with the USNDP, Chris supports and helps execute key functions across the National Junior Team, Elite Amateur Program, and State Team Program, while also contributing to player relations.

Through his work, Chris collaborates with athletes, parents, coaches, and stakeholders to ensure smooth operations, effective communication, and a positive experience for participants.

• Professional Golfer, 2022-2024
• Two-time Team Captain of the Bucknell Men’s Golf Team, 2019-2021
• Bucknell University – B.A. Economics and Spanish
• University of Maryland – M.S. Business and Management
• Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA; now lives in Budd Lake, NJ

Torry Rees, Assistant Manager, USNDP

Torry Rees is responsible managing the USNDP-sponsored tournament exemption process, including talent identification, athlete scouting, and coordination with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Oversees data and performance metrics across all USNDP pillars and supports data-driven storytelling and strategic communications for the program. 

• Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, AJGA
• PGA WORKS Fellow, Northern Texas PGA
• Operations Area Manager, Amazon
• Broadcast Assistant, Utah Jazz
• On Air Talent/Writer, Mile High Sports Radio
• Served in United States Air Force, Veteran, 2012 – 2016
• Attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; earned a B.A. in broadcast journalism from the University of Mississippi, and a minor in theatre; earned a M.S. in sport management from Louisiana State University
• Born in Virginia and raised in Mississippi; currently lives in New Jersey; Air Force veteran, brother still is serving the Space Force

Tomas Adalsteinsson, Athlete Development Consultant

Tomas Adalsteinsson serves as an Athlete Development Consultant for the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) while also fulfilling his role as Head Women's Golf Coach and Assistant Professor of Physical Education at Williams College. In his USNDP role, Tomas focuses on athlete development through innovative programming, performance evaluations, research, and coaching.

• Assistant Professor of Physical Education & Head Coach of Women’s Golf, Williams College
• 2019 WGCA & Golf Pride DIII National Coach of the Year, 2024 WGCA & Golf Pride DIII East Region Coach of the Year, and 2024 NESCAC Women's Golf Coach of the Year
• Played for the Icelandic National Golf Team
• Master’s degree in Sports Psychology, and mental performance coach to elite golfers
• U.S. Citizen born and raised in Iceland; now resides in Williamstown, MA with his wife, Vanessa, and their two boys

Dr. Julie Amato, Team Sport Psychology Consultant

Dr. Julie is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in sport and performance psychology. She is the founder of Elite Mindset, a sports psychology company providing performance consulting services to athletes and teams.

• Sports psychologist for the LPGA Tour, Princeton University Athletic Department, Lafayette College Athletic Department
• Works with professional athletes from various leagues (NBA, WNBA, Premier Lacrosse League)
• D1 Basketball player from Brown University
• Married with two children, living in Pennsylvania

Dr. Nicole Danforth, Team Sport Psychology & Performance Consultant

Dr. Danforth is a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with clinical expertise in the behavioral and psychological health of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

• Consults with youth, college, and professional athletes, including Boston area college and professional sports teams
• Advises schools, parent groups, and business leaders on issues related to resilience and performance
• DII Academic All-America at Amherst College
• Played professionally on Epson Tour, competed in two U.S. Women's Opens
• Married with three children, lives in the Boston area

Shawn Farmer-Sese, Team Strength & Conditioning Coach

Shawn is the Co-Founder and Director of Fitness & Conditioning of Golfletica Sports and Rehab and has been a fitness and strength & conditioning coach for 22 years. Her professional goal is to not only help athletes to feel and play their best, but also experience how strength, power and mobility training can enhance all aspects of life.

• Oversees all Golfletica fitness programming and group training for hundreds of golfers and manages Golfletica’s elite level junior program
• Played golf for Eastern Washington University and has been a golf coach at the collegiate (D1 and community college) and high school levels
• Multiple certifications from the Titleist Performance Institute, National Academy of Sports Medicine, Functional Range Systems and Kettlebell Coach University
• 1st degree black belt in taekwondo
• Has competed in nine (9) USGA events

Scott Gump (PGA TOUR), USNDP Coaching Consultant

Scott is a lifetime PGA Tour member, playing in 516 events between the PGA Tour (5 US Opens, 2 Masters, 3 PGAs and one British Open) and the Korn Ferry.

• Three 2nd place finishes on the PGA Tour three wins on the Korn Ferry Tour
• All American at the University of Miami; and National Championship Team member at Brevard CC
• Medalist and semifinalist in the 1987 U.S. Amateur, which earned him a spot to play in the Masters
• Former men's golf coach at the University of Notre Dame
• Currently, works with Notre Dame Alumni who have status on the Korn Ferry and Asian Tours and advises elite junior players with college placement and on-course development

Mo Martin (LPGA Tour), USNDP Coaching Consultant

Mo Martin competed for 10 years on the LPGA including a win at the British Open and two 2nd place finishes in majors. Mo is passionate about giving back to golf, improving the lives of others, and animal rescue.

• 2014 British Open Winner and 3x Epson Tour Winner
• Nominated by peers for the Heather Wilbur Spirit Award
• Most accurate driver in the history of the game. Averaged 87% fairways hit
• A proud UCLA Bruin who graduated with honors and was a member of the 2004 UCLA NCAA title team; the second player in history to walk-on to a college team and win a major
• LPGA Class A Teaching Professional
• Southern California PGA Foundation Board Member

Dr. Albert Petitpas, Coach & Mentor Development Consultant

Al is a counseling psychologist who founded and directed the graduate training program in Athletic Counseling and the National Football Foundations’ Center for Youth Development through Sports at Springfield College in Massachusetts.

• Development Consultant for the Play It Smart, First Tee, Nike’s Designed to Move, NCAA’s Youth Development through Sport, Academics in Motion, and Montreal Alouette’s Players in the Classroom programs
• Consultant to NBA Player Development, USOC’s Elite Coaches College, LPGA’s Transitional Golf, and NFL/NFF Coaching Academy Programs
• Fellow of American Psychological Association (Division 47) and the Association of Applied Sport Psychology
• Married with two sons, living in Connecticut

Dr. Harry Sese, Team High Performance Coach

Dr. Harry Sese (Doc) is a Board-Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician as well as a strength & conditioning coach and owner and director of health and performance for Golfletica Sports and Rehab.

• Golf Performance Coach for multiple PGA Tour Winners and major champions (such as Jon Rahm and Wyndham Clark) for more than 15 years
• Support for the 2020 European Ryder Cup Team, 2022 International Presidents Cup Team and the 2023 Ryder Cup Teams (Europe and USA)
• Former Health & Performance Consultant for the NHL's Vancouver Canucks
• 7th Degree Master Instructor in Taekwondo
• Former Canadian National Taekwondo Champion

Dr. Kevin Sverduk, Team Sport Psychology & Performance Consultant

Dr. Kevin Sverduk is a sport psychology and performance coach who earned his Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Science with a specialization in Sport Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.

• Consultant to PGA, LPGA touring professionals, collegiate golf programs, and elite junior golfers
• Provides workshops for parents and coaches and creates mental skills programs for collegiate teams
• He teaches players how to play golf in the present moment, free from excessive tension, and with unwavering fearlessness
• Former collegiate tennis player and D1 tennis coach

VISION54 and Kristine Reese, Team Performance Consultant

Co-founders of VISION54, Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott have coached players to well over 150 wins on all major tours: PGA, LPGA, European tour, Ladies European tour, Asian tour, Japanese PGA&LPGA. They have coached 11 major champions and five World No. 1-ranked players, and have interacted with players, parents and coaches from around the world for the last 30+ years. Through these experiences, they have developed JUNIOR54, an innovative, online training programs to learn the non-technical skills of the game that National Junior Team Members and USNDP Grant Recipients can access as they work individually with VISION54 coach, Kristine Reese.

• VISION54 coach for 20 years and a LPGA T&CP Class A Member
• Coach of amateurs, juniors, college teams, college players, and professional golfers on major tours including an LPGA Major winner
• Golf Digest - Best Teachers in Every State (Arizona) 2022-2023 & 2024-2025
• Competed on various women’s professional tours around the world
• Graduate of Lake Forest College, IL where she played softball for 4 years and basketball her senior year

Rob Yang, Team Nutritionist

Robert Yang has over two decades of experiences as an integrative practitioner, and he consults with elite professional athletes from the X-Games, NFL, MLB, AVP, PGA, LPGA, and European Tour.

• Certified Clinical Nutritionist (Clinical Nutrition Certification Board), Certified Nutritionist (American Health Science University), and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (National S&C Association)
• Advisory board member for the Titleist Performance Institute and the National Pitching Association
• Numerous radio and television segments such as the Golf Channel
• Published in magazines such as Golf Digest, and Men's Fitness and Muscle & Fitness
• Author of Hole-in-One Nutrition: a Guide to Fueling Better Golf