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Written & Distributed By: Missouri Golf Association (MGA)

Missouri Launches State Junior Team as Part of the USGA’S U.S. National Development Program

~ A collaboration of Missouri Golf Association, Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, Central Links Golf, Gateway PGA Section, and Midwest PGA Section ~

One of 20 states added to the junior team program for 2027

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  – Missouri 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.

“This is a great opportunity for junior golfers from across the Show-Me-State to come together and train so they can show the rest of our nation the skills and talents that Missouri brings to the competitive golfing world,” said Scott Hovis, Executive Director of Missouri Golf.

Missouri 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 and continues to grow steadily with nine states in 2025 and 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. Missouri’s team committee includes Missouri Golf, Central Links Golf, Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association, Gateway PGA, and Midwest PGA.

The committee will oversee team selection criteria, and the operation of Team Missouri 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. Missouri expects to have 16 total golfers 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 Missouri. 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 mogolf.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.