Did you know there was a Junior Ryder Cup? This tournament, which is played every two years in conjunction with Ryder Cup, pits the top U.S. junior golfers (6 boys, 6 girls) against the best European junior golfers in three days. Wilson Furr, Jackson’s own golfer, knows everything about it. He will actually play in it. It starts Monday at the historic Interlachen Country Club in Edina. “I’m playing really well right at the moment. Although I have never played Interlachen, I know a lot about it. “I know some of its history.” Bobby Jones, the legendary golfer, won the U.S. Open in that city in 1930 to win the Grand Slam. Furr is ranked No. Furr, ranked No. 4 among U.S. junior boy’s, is no novice when it comes representing his country. He was 15 when he played in a U.S. match against China. Furr was the American’s only point scorer, scoring three of the four points. The U.S. eventually lost 8-4. Mississippians should recall his win at the 2015 State Amateur championship. He was 16 years old, making him the youngest State Amateur winner. His 72-hole score of 14 under-par 274 won him the title. The same score would have put him in the top 10 at the Sanderson Farms Championship last year on the PGA Tour. Furr, who has committed to play college golf at Alabama, had several Top 10 finishes this summer in national/international junior tournaments. This is even more remarkable when you consider that Furr was just six months away from complex wrist surgery. The surgery and recovery were a prolonged torture for a 17-year old who had accomplished so much in so short a time. Furr stated that since I was 10 years of age, I had played or practiced almost every day golf. “And then, for almost six months, I returned home every day with nothing to do. Couldn’t practice, couldn’t play. I couldn’t putt or chip for a long time. My cast smelled so bad that I couldn’t even sweat. Monday’s round will feature four-ball play with boys playing against boys and girls playing against girls. The second round will feature mixed four-ball play. The third round will feature individual play. Furr knows his partner in round one will be Knoxville, Tenn. native Davis Shore. Furr will be sharing a room with Davis Shore when they both start freshmen year at Alabama. Furr stated, “That should be a lot fun.” It will be great to play with him, and not against him.” The Junior Ryder Cup has a long history of producing Ryder Cup stars. Sergio Garcia was part of the 1995 Junior Ryder Cup. It was an exhibition. Rory McIlroy was part of the European team in 1999. Hunter Mahan was a Ryder Cupper two-timer who played on the U.S. team in 1999. Jordan Spieth was twice on the U.S. Team and was once coached by Ken Lindsay of Jackson, a Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer who is also a past president of PGA of America. Davis Riley from Hattiesburg, who plays at Alabama, was part of the victorious U.S. Two years ago, the Junior Ryder Cup team smoked the Europeans 16-8. It’s quite an accomplishment, but Furr is part of it. Furr is an extraordinary athlete, who also happens to be a golfer. Mike Taylor, a ten-time Mississippi State Am champion and the most successful amateur player in Mississippi’s history, first told me about Furr back when Furr was just 14. Taylor said, “Wilson Furr has been the best junior golfer that I have ever seen.” I am not referring to the best 14-year old. I’m talking best junior — period. There is no limit to his potential.” Furr and the other Junior Ryder Cuppers will then move to Hazeltine (site of the Ryder Cup), where they will play a nine hole “friendship match” before the actual Ryder Cup play begins. Wilson Furr has many more opportunities than this. Mississippi Today’s sports columnist is Rick Cleveland. Check out his columns as well as his Sports Daily blog. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of all Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think.