MIDLOTHIAN (Oct. 13, 2026) – Virginia is launching a state junior team that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers as part of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), an initiative launched in 2023 by the United States Golf Association (USGA) to create critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities for golfers ages 13-18.
“Virginia is a state with an amazing golf history, and we are looking forward to participating in the U.S. National Development Program,” VSGA President Craig Groenendaal said. “We have a robust junior golf program in our state, and having Team Virginia will only strengthen opportunities for our junior golfers. Our mission is to ‘To Promote and Serve Golf in Virginia.’ We have a great opportunity to further that mission by participating in the USNDP. The VSGA board and staff couldn’t be more excited to get started. Go Team Virginia!”
Virginia is one of 20 states to join the USNDP’s state junior team program in 2027. The initiative, launched in January 2024 with seven pilot states, has continued to grow steadily with nine more states in 2025 and another 14 in 2026. The USGA’s goal is to establish a team in every state working in close partnership with allied golf associations, the PGA of America and its sections, and local junior golf programs.
“The growth of the state team program in year three is an important step in building the national player pathway,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, USGA managing director, U.S. National Development Program. “This program is about more than competition. It gives young players the opportunity to develop together, build relationships with teammates and proudly represent their home states, all while gaining greater access to resources that can support their growth. These experiences will strengthen junior golf locally and deepen the overall pool of talent nationwide.”
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. Virginia team committee includes representatives from the Virginia State Golf Association and the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America.
The committee will oversee team selection criteria, and the operation of Team Virginia based on guidelines provided by the USNDP. 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 2027 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. Virginia expects to have up to 12 boys and 12 girls as part of the initial team, which will be named in late 2027. To be eligible to compete on a state team, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and resident of the Virginia. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2027, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 15, 2027, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2027-2028 school year. A Handicap Index® is also required.
Additional eligibility requirements and FAQs can be found at vsga.org/usndp.
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 junior team program will focus on creating a developmentally appropriate, aspirational pathway for athletes within each state to compete at higher levels of the game.