Seven states will participate in the initial pilot phase beginning in 2024
ONTARIO, California – California is launching a state junior golf team that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched last February by the United States Golf Association. California, beginning with Southern California, is one of seven states that will participate in the initial phase of the state team pilot program kicking off in 2024 with the goal of all states having a team by 2033.
“The launch of California’s state junior golf team marks a significant milestone in talent development. According to the SCPGA Executive Director / CEO, NIkki Gatch, PGA, ‘This program is a crucial step in identifying and nurturing young golf talent, providing resources and opportunities for athletes to excel in the sport at a national level.'”
The other six participants include 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,” says Heather Daly-Donafrio, 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 any AGAs and PGA of America Sections. Californias’ team committee includes the Southern California PGA (SCPGA), San Diego Junior Golf Association and the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA).
The committee will oversee team selection criteria and the operation of the California state team program based on guidelines provided by the USGA. Team selection criteria will be published prior to the entry deadline of the first event and may consist of a points structure, ranking or combination of other competitive factors.
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. California expects to have 10 boys and 10 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 Jan. 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 more info can be found 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.
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Media Contacts
Nikki Gatch, PGA, SCPGA Executive Director / CEO, 951-845-4653, ngatch@pgahq.com
Bryce Seiver, SCPGA Communications & Marketing Director, 951-845-4653, bseiver@pgahq.com
Danny Cross, SCPGA Communications & Marketing Manager, 951-845-4653, dcross@pgahq.com
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
The Southern California Section was established in 1924, and today is comprised of nearly 1,700 golf Professionals working at over 500 facilities within the Section. The mission of the Southern California Section (SCPGA) is that Purpose of the PGA of America, to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. The SCPGA provides competitive playing opportunities, educational seminars, and growth of the game initiatives, within a geographic area that stretches from San Luis Obispo to the Tijuana Border, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Nevada and Arizona borders.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA FOUNDATION
The SCPGA created the Southern California PGA Foundation to develop and administer junior golf programs as well as an increasingly wide array of other community services throughout the Section. The Southern California PGA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and operates as a public foundation. The SCPGA Foundation is involved in and supports the growth of the game of golf through initiatives such as ClubsForeYouth®, PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE, and SCPGA Grants & Scholarships programs.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA JUNOR TOUR
Established in 1948, the Southern California PGA now hosts one of the largest and most respected junior golf programs in the country. The SCPGA Junior Tour is a three-tiered program featuring the Toyota Tour Cup, the Players Tour and the Junior Development Tour. Together, these three tours administer over 400 tournaments annually for kids of all ages and skill levels. These events provide playing opportunities throughout Southern California, many of which are hosted by PGA facilities. The Junior Tour boasts countless alumni, including Max Homa, Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Rose Zhang, Lizette Salas, Rickie Fowler, Danielle Kang, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Angel Yin, Xander Schauffele, and many more.