The Grand Strand’s most decorated junior golfer in the 21st century has made her college decision official.

Myrtle Beach resident Madison Messimer signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Tennessee and compete for the Lady Vols golf team.

Messimer, who joined the Classic Swing Golf School Junior Program in 2012, has grown into one of the premier juniors in the world. She is the third-ranked player in the class of 2025 and the 18th-ranked junior in the world.

She is the reigning three-time South Carolina Junior Golf Association Beth Daniel Player of the Year, and a 2024 American Junior Golf Association All-American. Messimer was also part of the triumphant United States team in the 13th PING Junior Solheim Cup, winning her singles match 5&4 against Sweden’s Havanna Torstensson.

“She’s a ball striker,” said Ted Frick, the director of instruction at Classic Swing and Messimer’s long-time coach. “She is going to average 12 or 13 greens in regulation (per round) … She’s the best that has ever come through our junior golf program; bar none, the best.”

While Messimer, who carries the ball 240 yards with the driver and is strong with her irons, has always been a gifted ball striker, her short game and pressure putting are now equally good, leading to her rise on the national stage.

Tennessee has qualified for NCAA Regionals in 29 of the last 30 years and won two regional titles during that stretch, solidifying its place among the nation’s best collegiate teams. After compiling a record of 37-15-2 in the fall of 2024 season, Tennessee is currently ranked 40th in the country.

With a state-of-the-art practice facility and new $4 million golf-specific weight room and fitness center, Tennessee was an easy choice for Messimer, and her goal is as big as it is easy to understand.

“Hopefully, we’ll win a national championship,” Messimer said. “That’s definitely the biggest goal.”

Messimer’s game has developed under the watchful eye of Frick, and he believes the best is yet to come.

“She’s gotten better every year we’ve been together,” Frick said. “But you really haven’t seen the best of Madison. She’s got all the attributes to get to whatever level she wants to chase; she can get there.”

Messimer chose Tennessee among more than 30 scholarship offers from Division I schools.