U.S. National Development Program (Team Virginia)

The U.S. National Development Program is the United States' first national development program to provide a clear and unified pathway for the country's top players, beginning with competitive junior golf through to the pinnacles of the sport. The U.S. National Development Program will identify, train, develop, fund and support the nation’s most talented junior players - regardless of cultural, geographical or financial background.

The State Junior Team program is part of the USGA’s U.S. National Development Program (USNDP). The goal of the program is to expand, strengthen, and diversify the junior golf pipeline by creating critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities within each state for elite athletes ages 13-18 through close collaboration between the USGA, its Allied Golf Associations (AGAs), the PGA of America sections and relevant state junior programs in each state.

Team Virginia will be named in the fall of 2027. Team members will participate in Team Virginia programming and benefits in 2028. Players must earn their way onto the team each year.

The Team Virginia Committee will name up to 12 boys and 12 girls to Team Virginia 2028. Athletes earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance during the 2027 season.  

Once an athlete commits to Team Virginia, they can expect to receive team apparel, bag, and additional gear, invitations to state camps and social gatherings at elite facilities, support and mentorship from the Team Virginia staff, and access to other resources as needed.

Yes. Only players who are Virginia residents and U.S. citizens are eligible for Team Virginia.

Players must be 13 years old by January 1, 2028, have not reached their 19th birthday on or before the completion of the respective 2028 USGA Junior Amateur Championship (U.S. Girls’ Junior – July 15th; U.S. Junior Amateur – July 22th), and must not be enrolled in college for the 2027-2028 school year.

Players must have an established Handicap Index® and enter all eligible scores to be eligible for Team Virginia. Read more about Handicap Index® by clicking here.  

Yes! Once named to Team Virginia, athletes are a part of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) for the following calendar year. The USNDP will provide benefits and recognition to Team Virginia participants. These benefits may include recognition on the USGA/USNDP website and social media, streamlined USNDP grant applications, exemptions into local AJGA events, and access to the official USNDP statistical platform and athlete development resources. Read more about the USNDP by clicking here.

No. The National Junior Team is determined by the USGA and will be a relatively small number of athletes compared to the number of athletes on State Teams.  

Athletes can be involved with the USNDP through various USNDP-supported programs such as:

• USNDP Grants
• National Junior Teams
• USNDP-sponsored Tournament Exemptions
• State Teams