The United States Golf Association has named its head coach for the U.S. National Development Team.
Chris Zambri, a longtime college coach who’s currently the associate head coach at Pepperdine, will be the new National Development Team leader, the USGA announced Tuesday afternoon. As a volunteer assistant in 2021, Zambri helped the Waves win the 2021 national championship. He also was the head coach at USC for 14 years, leading the team to three Pac-12 titles and a runner-up finish at the 2015 NCAA Championship. Golf Channel first reported the hire Tuesday morning.
He begins Nov. 1.
“It’s the greatest opportunity of my lifetime,” Zambri told Golfweek. “It’s something I’m really excited about and ready to spend time with these athletes and prepare them to represent the United States.”
Zambri will be tasked with leading the overall direction of the U.S. National Development Team’s program as well as providing support and guidance to the elite golfers selected to represent their country in international competitions and as part of the national teams.
“Chris has had an illustrious coaching career and boasts a proven track record of nurturing talented young golfers, helping them develop and take the next steps in their careers,” Heather Daly-Donofrio, the USGA managing director of Player Relations and Development, said in a release. “Between his experience as a player and coach, coupled with his passion and leadership, we could not think of anyone better suited to help foster the next generation of elite American golfers.”
In his role, Zambri will oversee and lead the day-to-day coaching operations, including playing a key role in developing a network of qualified coaches at the regional and state levels to support the USNDP’s mission of identifying and developing American golf talent. Zambri will also work closely with Senior Player Development Advisor Dr. Beth Brown to create an elite golf program designed to expose athletes to the physical, technical and mental loads required to compete successfully at the highest levels of the sport.
Announced in February, the U.S. National Development Program is designed to ensure American golf is the global leader in the game by focusing on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and relations and athlete financial support.
Last week, the USGA announced the three junior girls who would represent the United States at the World Junior Girls Championship in Canada next month.