The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced the rosters for its 2025 U.S. National Junior Team and the inaugural Elite Amateur Program—marking a major milestone in the development of American junior and amateur golf talent. These programs, designed to nurture the next generation of golf champions, underline the importance of supporting young athletes on their path to collegiate and professional success.

The 2025 U.S. National Junior Team

The National Junior Team is a cornerstone of the USGA’s efforts to develop elite junior golfers. This year’s roster features 22 (expanded from 14 in 2024) of the most promising players in the country, selected based on a combination of performance, potential, and commitment to the game. The selection process involves a rigorous review of national rankings, tournament results, and input from coaches and industry experts.

2025 U.S. Elite Amateur Program Roster:

  • Kihei Akina
    • Age: 19
    • JGH Rank: 5
    • Hometown: Alpine, Utah
    • College: Will attend BYU in the Fall of 2025
    • Notable Achievements: 3x Utah State High School Champion.
  • Ronin Banerjee
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 17
    • Hometown: Irvine, California
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Represented the United States in the 2024 Junior Presidents Cup. Owns three American Junior Golf Association wins: 2023 Seri Pak Desert Junior, 2023 Stealth Junior All-Star and 2023 1st Clubs for Kids Foundation Junior
  • Shyla Brown
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 30
    • Hometown: McKinney, Texas 
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Named to 2023 American Junior Golf Association Junior All-Star Team, becoming just the second Black golfer to achieve such an honor
  • Luke Colton
    • Age: 17
    • JGH Rank: 3
    • Hometown: Frisco, Texas
    • College: Verbally Committed to Vanderbilt University 
    • Notable Achievements: Won 2024 Texas 5A state high school championship. Won 2024 Terra Cotta Invitational and Junior Byron Nelson Championship
  • Phillip Dunham
    • Age: 17
    • JGH Rank: 32
    • Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
    • College: Verbally Committed to University of Alabama
    • Notable Achievements:  Won the 2024 Sea Pines Junior Heritage in February by seven strokes. Qualified for the 2022 and 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur. Earned four wins in 2023, including The Dye Junior Invitational
  • Anna Fang
    • Age: 15
    • JGH Rank: 13
    • Hometown: San Diego, California 
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior; made match play in the 2023 championship. Qualified for match play in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur
  • Henry Guan
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 12
    • Hometown: Irving, Texas
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Reached the Round of 32 in the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur. Qualified for match play in 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National G.C., losing in 25 holes to Garrett Engle
  • Trevor Gutschewski
    • Age: 17
    • JGH Rank: 60
    • Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska 
    • College: Will attend the University of Florida in Fall of 2025
    • Notable Achievements: Claimed the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur, becoming just the second player from Nebraska to win a USGA championship, following Johnny Goodman. Competed in the 2024 U.S. Amateur
  • Mia Hammond
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 147
    • Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. Advanced to the Round of 32 of the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior at The Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green, Ky. Competed in a pair of LPGA Tour events in 2023, tying for 26th in the Dana Open in Sylvania, Ohio; also played in the 2024 Dana Open
  • Will Hartman
    • Age: 18
    • JGH Rank: 42
    • Hometown: Marvin, North Carolina
    • College: Will attend Vanderbilt University in the Fall of 2025
    • Notable Achievements: Advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur. Competed in the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur. Competed in the 2024 U.S. Amateur.
  • Jessy Huebner
    • Age: 15
    • JGH Rank: 49
    • Hometown: Port St. Lucie, Florida
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Advanced to the Round of 32 in the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur. Won the 2024 Florida Junior Amateur. Won 2023 AJGA Mizuno Greyson Sigg Junior Championship. Runner-up in The Elite Invitational. Runner-up in Bobby Chapman Invitational
  • Ryleigh Knaub
    • Age: 18
    • JGH Rank: 84
    • Hometown: DeBary, Florida
    • College: Will attend Louisiana State University in the Fall of 2025
    • Notable Achievements: Represented the United States in the 2023 Junior Solheim Cup and Junior Ryder Cup. Claimed the 2023 Dustin Johnson World Junior and finished second in 2024. Qualified for the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior. Tied for fourth in the 2024 Junior Girls PGA Championship
  • Jude Lee
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 5
    • Hometown: Walnut, California
    • College: Verbally Committed to Stanford University
    • Notable Achievements: Won 2024 AJGA Thunderbird Heather Farr Classic, one of four victories on the circuit. Named First-Team 2024 AJGA Rolex All-American. Qualified for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur
  • Tyler Mawhinney
    • Age: 17
    • JGH Rank: 51
    • Hometown: Fleming Island, Florida
    • College: Verbally Committed to Vanderbilt University
    • Notable Achievements: Won the 2023 American Junior Golf Association Rolex Tournament of Champions. 2023 Florida Class 3A boys individual state champion. Won the 2023 Scott Robertson Memorial Tournament. Advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2024 U.S. Amateur.
  • Nikki Oh
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 8
    • Hometown: Torrance, California
    • College: Verbally Committed to Stanford University
    • Notable Achievements: Advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Qualified for match play in the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior. Qualified for match play in the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. Qualified for the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior
  • Michael Riebe
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 7
    • Hometown: Encinitas, California
    • College: Will play at Vanderbilt University in Fall of 2025
    • Notable Achievements: Finished fourth in the 2023 and 2024 American Junior Golf Association Rolex Tournament of Champions. Represented the U.S. in the 2024 Junior Presidents Cup in Canada
  • Emerie Schartz
    • Age: 17
    • JGH Rank: 149
    • Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
    • College: Verbally Committed to University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
    • Notable Achievements:  Competed in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills C.C. as a last-minute alternate; Qualified for the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior at El Caballero C.C., in Ta
  • Scarlett Schremmer
    • Age: 18
    • JGH Rank: 3
    • Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
    • College: Will play at Texas A&M University in the Fall of 2025
    • Notable Achievements: Advanced to the round of 16 of the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior, and the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Runner-up in the 2024 Rolex Tournament of Champions
  • Asterisk Talley
    • Age: 15
    • JGH Rank: 1
    • Hometown: Chowchilla, California
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Won the 2024 U.S. Women’s Four-Ball with Sarah Lim. Advanced to the championship matches of the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior and U.S. Women’s Amateur.
  • Tyler Watts
    • Age: 17
    • JGH Rank: 6
    • Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama
    • College: Verbally Committed to the University of Tennessee
    • Notable Achievements: Won the 2023 Alabama State Amateur, becoming the youngest champion in the event’s 107-year history. Won the 2023 Jones Cup Junior Invitational at Sea Island (Ga.) Golf Club. Advanced to the championship match of the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur. Competed in the 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club
  • Amelie Zalsman
    • Age: 16
    • JGH Rank: 9
    • Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Qualified for the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open. Won the 2024 Rolex Tournament of Champions. Won 2024 AJGA Junior Championship presented by Visit Tallahassee. Won 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior
  • Angela Zhang
    • Age: 15
    • JGH Rank: 44
    • Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
    • College: Uncommitted
    • Notable Achievements: Qualified for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open. Advanced to the Round of 16 of the R&A Girls Junior in England. Competed in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur. At age 13, she won both the Washington State Junior and Washington State Women’s Amateur titles

The team will engage in specialized training sessions, compete in international events, and receive mentorship from top-tier coaches, all aimed at preparing them for higher levels of competition. According to the USGA, team members will benefit from opportunities to compete in international junior events such as the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup and the Junior Presidents Cup, providing vital exposure and experience against top global talent.

The Elite Amateur Program

In a groundbreaking move, the USGA has launched the Elite Amateur Program, which focuses on bridging the gap between junior and professional golf. This initiative identifies amateur players who have demonstrated exceptional talent and provides them with resources to refine their skills. The program offers access to advanced analytics, fitness and mental coaching, and opportunities to compete in high-profile amateur events.

Notable members of the inaugural roster include:

  1. Gianna Clemente
    • Age: 16
    • Hometown: Estero, Florida
    • Notable Achievements: Youngest player to qualify for three consecutive LPGA Tour events; 2024 U.S. National Junior Team member.
  2. Anna Davis
    • Age: 18
    • Hometown: Spring Valley, California
    • College: Auburn University
    • Notable Achievements: Won the 2022 ANWA
  3. Max Herendeen
    • Age: 19
    • Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
    • College: University of Illinois
    • Notable Achievements: Recently named Big 10 Freshman of the Year
  4. Jackson Koivun
    • Age: 19
    • Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
    • College: Auburn University
    • Notable Achievements: Claimed all the major individual awards in first season at Auburn University (2023-24), and led the Tigers to their first NCAA title
  5. Jasmine Koo
    • Age: 18
    • Hometown: Cerritos, California
    • College: USC
    • Notable Achievements:  Already owns two collegiate victories: Stanford Intercollegiate and Windy City Collegiate Classic.
  6. Jacob Modleski
    • Age: 20
    • Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
    • College: University of Notre Dame
    • Notable Achievements: Helped the Fighting Irish reach the 2024 NCAAs for the first time since the regional format was adopted in 1989; posted a stroke average of 70.3, the second-lowest in program history. Won the 2024 Jones Cup Invitational.
  7. Farrah O’Keefe
    • Age: 19
    • Hometown: Austin, Texas
    • College: University of Texas
    • Notable Achievements: Named 2023-24 Big 12 Conference Player and Freshman of the Year (Texas moved to SEC in fall of 2024)
  8. Catherine Park
    • Age: 20
    • Hometown: Irvine, California
    • College: USC
    • Notable Achievements: Shared low-amateur honors in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club
  9. Kiara Romero
    • Age: 18
    • Hometown: San Jose, California
    • College: University of Oregon
    • Notable Achievements: Named Women’s Golf Coaches Association of America co-Freshman of the Year for 2023-24 season; first Oregon player to be named Freshman of the Year. First-Team WGCA All-American (2023-24).Scoring average of 70.84 shattered the single-season program record

These athletes have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, achieving significant milestones in their amateur careers. The U.S. Elite Amateur Program will provide them with resources such as advanced analytics, fitness and mental coaching, and opportunities to compete in high-profile amateur events, all aimed at preparing them for successful transitions to professional golf.

The Elite Amateur Program will also prioritize playing opportunities in elite tournaments such as the Western Amateur, Sunnehanna Amateur, and the U.S. Amateur. These events provide crucial competitive environments to help players transition seamlessly to professional golf.

Selection Criteria

The selection process for both programs is designed to be both inclusive and highly competitive. For the National Junior Team, the USGA considers:

  • Results from prestigious junior tournaments such as the U.S. Junior Amateur, AJGA Invitationals, and state-level championships.
  • National and World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
  • Input from college coaches, tournament directors, and golf association officials.

The Elite Amateur Program evaluates players based on their:

  • Performance in collegiate and amateur tournaments, including the U.S. Amateur and Elite Amateur Series events.
  • Potential to transition to professional golf.
  • Dedication to personal and athletic growth, demonstrated through a commitment to training and development.

Why This Matters

These announcements are pivotal for the junior and amateur golf landscape in the United States. By providing structured pathways for development, the USGA is ensuring that young players have the resources they need to succeed on the global stage. The programs also reinforce the importance of competitive excellence, sportsmanship, and personal growth.

As part of its commitment to mitigate barriers of cost to promising junior golfers who demonstrate both financial need and the potential to progress through the USNDP pathway, the USGA announced its 2025 USNDP Grant recipients. In total, 100 athletes representing 31 states and ranging in age from 13-18 will receive more than $795k to help cover actual and incurred golf and athlete development-related expenses, such as practice and green fees, competitive tournament fees, tournament travel, coach fees and equipment costs. In addition, grant recipients receive athlete development support, inclusive of virtual coaching sessions and 1-on-1 consultations and statistical analysis with USNDP coaches.

This demonstrates significant growth from 2024, when 72 families received $650,000 in funding in the program’s inaugural year. Grant program funding is provided by the USGA, founding partners such as Ally Financial and generous donations. Over the next few years, the program aims to support 300 participants annually.

Additionally, the integration of international events and high-level amateur tournaments into these programs highlights the USGA’s commitment to ensuring American players are prepared to compete at the highest levels. The broader golf community—from collegiate programs to professional tours—stands to benefit from the talent pipeline being cultivated through these initiatives.

For more information about the rosters and the programs, visit the official USGA website.

Photo Credit: USGA/Jason E. Miczek


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