The United States Golf Association just announced its first ever inaugural National Junior team. The team is the newest accomplishment for the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a program that was introduced last year to solidify American golf as the global leader in the game. The program focuses on 6 pillars: talent, identification, access to competition, national teams, athletic resources, player development, and relations and athletic financial support. This team of elite juniors are the first of three national teams formed with the Amateur Team to be announced in 2025, with a Young Professional team to be formed in 2026.
With 10 girls and 8 boys on the first national team, the 18 young golfers on the roster represent the country’s most talented junior golfers who plan to embark on a path that will nurture their talent and progress America’s top players. The USGA has plans to expand the national team to 60 players in total, 30 boys and 30 girls, over the next three years.
“We are thrilled to introduce the first U.S. National Junior Team, a group of 18 exceptionally talented young athletes who represent the bright future of American golf,” said Chris Zambri, head coach of the U.S. National Development Program. “Nearly every other golf country in the world has long enjoyed the benefits of a developmental program and national teams, and the announcement of this team is a major milestone in the USGA’s commitment to the growth of our American athletes and ensuring we remain the global leader in the junior, amateur and professional game.”
A selection committee composed of USNDP staff will assemble and annually reassess the U.S. Junior Team roster. Factors and criteria the players must meet in order to be eligible for selection include categories like scoring, results, statistics, rankings, sportsmanship, and scouting. In the 2024 season, the 18 players will play at bi-annual camps and participate in competitions under the U.S. flag. The first training camp will take place from May 8-11 at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia while the first international match is to be held this summer against Australia.
The juniors on the team will receive world-class coaching and analysis, help from a sports psychologist, nutritional guidance, and other year-round resources and support. USNDP will also work with the players’ home coaches to ensure they have all resources to develop the most accurate physical, mental, and life skills for the players to reach their fullest potential.
The U.S. National Junior Team roster is as follows:
For more information on each player, you can visit the USGA’s website here.
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