Michigan Launches State Junior Team For 2026

As a (recently retired) school teacher, I have long believed that one of our most important tasks as humans is to ensure that our young people are given a chance to to become the best versions of themselves.

In the golf world, the USGA is doing its part with the US National Development Program (USNDP), which it launched in 2023. The program is the United State’s first coordinated effort to guide young golfers from the junior level to elite competition. It focuses on talent identification, skill development, and supporting juniors regardless of circumstances. Through grants, national and state teams, and partnerships with golf organizations, the program invests in players’ travel, training, and equipment, providing an accessible pathway to represent the United States at the highest levels.

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

Michigan expects to field a team of eight boys and eight girls in late 2026. Eligible players must be Michigan residents, U.S. citizens, and between 13 and 18 years old, with an official Handicap Index®.

Good for the USGA< GAM and the Michigan Section PGA.

The full press release follows

Michigan Launches State Junior Team For 2026, Joining USGA’s U.S. National Development Program

FARMINGTON HILLS – Michigan is launching a state junior golf team that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the recently created 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 13-18.

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

Michigan is now one of 30 states to join the USNDP’s state junior team program. The initiative launched in January 2024 with seven pilot states, expanded to nine more earlier this year, and continues to grow steadily. The USGA’s goal is to establish a team in every state by 2033, working in close partnership 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’re not only opening doors for more juniors to access resources and development opportunities but also instilling pride in representing their home state. That combination will help elevate competition 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. Michigan’s team committee includes the Michigan Section PGA.

The committee will oversee team selection criteria and the 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 by elite junior participation in the state, ranging from two boys/two girls to 20 boys/20 girls. Michigan expects to have eight boys & eight girls as part of the initial team, which will be named in late 2026. To be eligible to compete on a state team, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and a resident of Michigan. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 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 FAQs can be found at GAM.org.

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.