Carolinas Launch State Teams as Part of the USGA’s U.S. National Development Program

 

Two of 16 states added to the junior team program in 2025

SOUTHERN PINES, North Carolina (Oct. 16, 2024) – The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) is proud to announce that North and South Carolina are launching state junior golf teams that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), an initiative launched last year by the United States Golf Association to create critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities for golfers ages 13-18.

 

"We're excited to be part of this amazing initiative from the USGA, the PGA of America and our fellow Allied Golf Alliances," said Jack Nance, CGA Executive Director. "The Carolinas have always been leaders in junior golf development and the USNDP will only strengthen junior golf opportunities in the Carolinas and across the United States."

 

North and South Carolina are two of 16 states/regions that are now part of the state team program. Seven states were included in the initial phase of the program that kicked off in January, with the goal of all states having a team by 2033. The program is continuing to expand through close collaboration between the USGA, its allied golf associations, the PGA of America and its sections and relevant state junior programs. 

 

“This first of its kind state team program will serve as a critical part of the talent identification pathway for the USNDP and provide more opportunities for a diverse population of athletes to receive resources and guidance to compete at the highest levels of the game,” says Heather Daly-Donofrio, USGA managing director, Player Relations and Development. “Additionally, the opportunity to represent their home state will incentivize each region’s best junior golfers to play more in-state competitions, ultimately strengthening the junior golf programming across the country.” 

 

The participating states will each establish a committee consisting of representatives from major golf entities within the state including any AGAs and PGA of America Sections.

 

The committee will oversee team selection criteria, and the operation of the North Carolina and South Carolina state team programs based on guidelines provided by the USGA. Team selection criteria may consist of a points structure, ranking or combination of other competitive factors, and will be published prior to the entry deadline of the first counting event of the 2025 championship season.

 

State team roster sizes are calculated by elite junior participation in the state, ranging from two boys/two girls to 20 boys/20 girls. North Carolina and South Carolina both expect to have 12  players and eight players respectively as part of the initial team, which will be named in late 2025. To be eligible to compete on a state team, a player must be a U.S. Citizen. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-2026 school year. A Handicap Index® is also required.

Additional eligibility requirements and FAQs can be found at www.carolinasgolf.org/usndpteams.

Announced in February of 2023, the USNDP is designed to ensure that 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. The state team program will focus on creating a developmentally appropriate, aspirational pathway for athletes within each state to compete at higher levels of the game, including an opportunity to represent the United States as a member of the National Junior Team led by former Pepperdine Associate Head Coach Chris Zambri. In March, the USGA named its inaugural 18-player U.S. National Junior Team.