Team New York

Participating Associations

New York Launches State Team as Part of USGA's

U.S. National Development Program

New York State is the latest to participate in the pilot phase of the National program.

(April 7, 2025) – New York is creating a state junior golf team that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers, ages 13-18, into the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) – an initiative launched in early 2023 by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

Seven states participated in the initial phase of the state team pilot program in 2024. New York now joins a group of ten new state teams being established in 2025, advancing the USGA’s goal of all 50 states having a team by 2033.

Said Heather Daly-Donafrio, USGA managing director, Player Relations and Development: “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 program is continuing to expand through close collaboration between the USGA, its Allied Golf Associations – including the three AGAs in New York: Metropolitan Golf Association, New York State Golf Association and the Rochester District Golf Association – as well as the PGA of America and relevant state junior programs.

“We are thrilled to join forces with the NYSGA and the RDGA to support Team New York. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering the next generation of elite golfers and shaping the future of golf in New York,” noted Brian Mahoney, Executive Director/CEO of the MGA. “We look forward to working together to provide these juniors with the opportunities, resources, competition, and guidance they need to excel on the national and international stage.”

Team New York will select 12 boys and 12 girls to its inaugural team in 2026. Team members will participate in programming and receive select benefits. Team selection is conducted on an annual basis; players must earn their spot each year.

“The RDGA is pleased to partner with the NYSGA and Met GA to roll out the State Junior Team Program in New York,” said RDGA Executive Director Tim Vangellow. “This program will create opportunities for promising young golfers in New York and provide support and resources to them.”

The participating states will each establish a committee consisting of representatives from major golf entities within each state as well as regional PGA of America Sections. This committee will oversee team selection criteria, which will be published prior to the entry deadline of the first official events of the 2025 championship season.

“We are honored to join our regional partners in the creation of Team New York,” added Bill Moore, Executive Director of the NYSGA. “The Empire State produces so many talented golfers, and we are excited to contribute to a program that will showcase our athletes at the highest levels of the game."

To be eligible to compete on the New York team, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and be a New York State resident. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-2026 school year. A Handicap Index® through the NYSGA, MGA, or RDGA and eligible posted scores is also required.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will be on Team New York and what are the selection criteria?

Composition:

Team New York will be composed of 12 boys and 12 girls. Team members will participate in programming and will receive select benefits in 2026. Team selection is conducted on an annual basis; players must earn their spot each year.
Criteria:

1. Points List Deadline: 2026 Team New York will be selected based on their finish on the Points List Standings after the Points List deadline of November 1, 2025.

2. Regional Selections: The top-ranked Boy and Girl from each New York State PGA Section territory - Western, Central, Northeast, Metropolitan - will earn automatic spots (4 Boys, 4 Girls).

3. Points List Selections: The next six (6) highest-ranked Boys and Girls on the Points List Standings will be selected (6 Boys, 6 Girls).

4. Committee Picks: The Team New York Committee reserves the right to select up to two (2) Boys and two (2) Girls as Captains’ Picks. If the Committee declines to make a discretionary pick, the next highest ranked players on the Points List will be selected instead.

5. Ties: Any ties will be broken by comparing their next highest point total from a Counting Event.

What events are included on the Team New York Points List and how will they be calculated?

The Team New York Points List includes eligible junior and adult competitions in New York State and nationwide.

1. The 2026 Points Cycle is January 1 - November 1. The 2027 Points Cycle will be November 2, 2025 - November 1, 2026.

2. A player's total is calculated using their best five (5) finishes during the points cycle.

3. To be eligible for inclusion on the Team New York Points List, a junior “counting event” must:
a. Be ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard, and
b. Have a significant portion of its field represented by juniors from New York.

If an event fails to meet Junior Golf Scoreboard criteria, including insuﬃcient field size, it will not be counted.

4. The AJGA is the only national/international junior tour included on the Points List.

5. Results from counting events held out-of-state should be emailed to Team New York to ensure that they are counted.

Do you need to be a New York resident to be part of Team New York?

Yes. Only players who are New York residents are eligible for Team New York.

A player is considered a resident of New York State if their parent(s) who claims them as a dependent on their most recent federal tax return and filed their most recent state tax return in New York.

How old do you need to be to be part of Team New York?

Players must be 13 years old by January 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-2026 school year.

Are there any other requirements to be on New York?

Players must have an established Handicap Index® and enter all eligible scores to be eligible for Team New York. Read more about Handicap Index® HERE.

When will Team New York start?

Team New York will be named in late 2025. Team members will participate in Team New York programming and benefits in 2026. Players must earn their way onto the team each year.

If an athlete is part of Team New York, are they automatically a part of the U.S. National Development Program?

Yes! Once named to Team New York, 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 New York 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 HERE.

If an athlete is part of Team New York, are they automatically a part of the National Junior Team?

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.