Michigan Launches 2026 State Junior Team

As a (recently retired) school teacher, I have long believed that one of our most important roles as human beings is to ensure that our young people have the opportunity to become the best versions of themselves.

In the world of golf, the USGA is doing its part with the US National Development Program (USNDP), which it launched in 2023. The program is the United States’ first coordinated effort to move young golfers from the junior level to elite competition. It focuses on identifying talents, developing skills and supporting juniors regardless of the circumstances. Through grants, national and state teams and partnerships with golf organizations, the program invests in player travel, training and equipment, providing an accessible path to representing the United States at the highest level.

Michigan has now joined 29 other states in launching teams connecting local youth players with the USNDP. The Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) and the Michigan Section PGA will jointly administer the program

Michigan expects to field a team of eight boys and eight girls by the end of 2026. Eligible players must be Michigan residents and U.S. citizens between the ages of 13 and 18, with an official Handicap Index®.

Good for the USGA

The full press release follows

Michigan Launches 2026 State Junior Team, Participate in the USGA National Development Program

FARMINGTON HILLS – Michigan is launching a junior state golf team that will expand the pipeline for local elite golfers to the newly established U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), an initiative launched in 2023 by the United States Golf Association to create critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities for golfers ages 13 to 18.

“We are excited to launch Team Michigan and further support the development of local players as they navigate their junior golf experiences,” said Chris Whitten, GAM Executive Director. “A key goal of this program is to ensure that future success at the regional and national levels can be coupled with strong foundations here at home. We are equally excited to partner with our friends and outstanding coaches in the Michigan Section PGA, who have provided exceptional player development opportunities for decades. Together we can create a path that both elevates Michigan’s juniors and strengthens the game statewide.” “

Michigan is now one of 30 states joining the USNDP state junior team program. The initiative launched in January 2024 with seven pilot states, expanded to nine earlier this year and continues to grow steadily. The USGA’s goal is to establish a team in every state by 2033, working closely with allied golf associations, the PGA of America and its sections, and local junior golf programs.

“This program represents an important step in building the national player pathway,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, USGA Managing Director, Player Relations and Development. “By creating state junior teams, we not only open doors for more juniors to access resources and development opportunities, but also instill pride in representing their home state. That combination will help increase competition locally and deepen the overall talent pool across the country.”

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. Michigan’s team committee includes the Michigan Section PGA.

The committee will oversee the team selection criteria and operation of Team Michigan based on guidelines provided by the USNDP. Team selection criteria may consist of a points structure, ranking or a combination of other competitive factors, and will be published prior to the entry deadline of the first counting event of the 2026 championship season.

State team roster sizes are calculated based on elite junior state participation, ranging from two boys/two girls to 20 boys/20 girls. Michigan expects to have eight boys and eight girls as part of the first team, which will be named in late 2026. To be eligible to play on a state team, a player must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Michigan. Each eligible player must be 13 years of age on January 1, 2027, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2027, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2026-2027 school year. A Handicap Index® is also required.

Additional eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions can be found at GAM.org.

Announced in February 2023, the USNDP is designed to ensure 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 financial support for athletes. The state junior team program will focus on creating a developmentally appropriate, ambitious pathway for athletes within each state to compete at higher levels of the game.