Seven states will participate in the initial pilot phase beginning in 2024
ATLANTA, Ga. - Georgia is launching a state junior golf team that will expand the pipeline for elite golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched last February by the United States Golf Association. Georgia is one of seven states that will participate in the initial phase of the state program kicking off in 2024 with the goal of all states having a team by 2033.
"As a state with a storied golf history, Georgia is excited for this next chapter and honored to participate in the pilot phase of the U.S. National Development Program," said Jeremy Freyman, GSGA Senior Director, Golf Development. "This initiative will provide opportunities to positively impact player development while creating new avenues for the elite competitor on to the national stage. The program will also enhance an existing palate of statewide junior programming while further showcasing the tremendous junior golf that is played throughout Georgia each year."
The seven participants include: California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Ohio and Tennessee. The program will come to fruition 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," said 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 seven states participating in this initial pilot program will each establish a committee consisting of representatives from major golf entities within the state including AGAs and PGA of America Sections. Georgia's selection team committee will consist of representatives from the Georgia State Golf Association and the Georgia Section of the PGA.
The committee will oversee team selection criteria and the operation of the Georgia state team program based on guidelines provided by the USGA. Team selection criteria has been published and consists of a points structure, ranking and other competitive factors including a requirement to compete in a minimum of one Georgia State Golf Association or Georgia PGA event during the 2024 season.
State team roster sizes are calculated by elite junior participation in the state, ranging from a maximum of two boys/two girls to 20 boys/20 girls. Georgia will have 12 boys and 12 girls as part of the initial team. To be eligible to compete on a state team in 2024, a player must be a U.S. Citizen. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by January 1, 2025, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2025, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2024-2025 school year. A Handicap Index® is also required. Additional eligibility requirements and FAQs can be found by clicking here.
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 USNDP's National Team led by former Pepperdine Associate Head Coach Chris Zambri.