Future Star x 25 WGR : Max Herendeen

We first met Max in 2022. Back then, he was already making waves as one of the best junior golfers in Washington and one of the most impressive players we've had the privilege of watching. Fast forward to today, and at 19, Max is now a sophomore at the University of Illinois, the 25th amateur in the world ... yes, the Top 25 in the world, and his game is only getting better. Standing tall at 6'2" and weighing in at 185 lbs., he’s known for sending drives into the stratosphere. In fact, he’s the only one to crush our office’s persimmon Cleveland Classic driver over 295 yards, managing an unbelievable 326 yards. Absolute legend.

This past season, his Freshman year, Max proved himself to be a standout on the national stage, collecting an impressive list of accolades:

• GCAA PING All-America Second Team: Only the fourth freshman in Illinois history to earn All-America honors and the first to achieve a second-team or higher placement.
• NCAA All-Championship Team: Finished tied for second in stroke play at the NCAA Championship, securing a top-15 finish.
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year: A unanimous selection, underscoring his dominance as a newcomer.
• All-Big Ten First Team: Recognized for his consistent excellence throughout the season.
• GCAA PING All-Midwest Region and GCAA All-Freshman Team: Cementing his place as one of the Midwest’s and nation’s brightest talents.

Max’s journey is shaping up to be even more extraordinary than we anticipated. As our only NIL athlete, we’re beyond proud to support him. This is just the beginning for Max, and if these early performances are any indication, that star is going to shine very, very bright for years to come. We’re thrilled to be part of his journey, and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes next!