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U.S. National Development Program - Team Minnesota

A new initiative to expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the national development program and strengthen junior golf programming across the country.

U.S. National Development Program - Team Minnesota

A new initiative to expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the national development program and strengthen junior golf programming across the country.

Team Minnesota
Minnesota is thrilled to announce the launch of the first state junior golf team (Team Minnesota). This team will expand the pipeline for elite local junior golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched by the United States Golf Association. Minnesota is one of nine states being added to the state team pilot program in 2025.

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.

Please reach out to Holly Noble with any questions or inquiries regarding Team Minnesota:
Email: holly@mngolf.org
Phone: (952) 345-3961

Program FAQs

Overview and Purpose:
One of the main goals of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) 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. Part of this goal includes establishing state junior programs across the United States, and Minnesota will join this USNDP initiative in 2025.

Who will be on Team Minnesota?

The Team Minnesota Committee will name 12 boys and 12 girls to the 2026 Team Minnesota in Fall of 2025. Athletes earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance during the 2025 season.

Do you need to be a Minnesota resident to be part of Team Minnesota?

Yes. Only players who are Minnesota residents are eligible for Team Minnesota.

How old do you need to be to be part of Team Minnesota?

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 Minnesota?

Athletes must have an established Handicap Index® with a full scoring record of 20 scores, including eight (8) competitive scores within the previous 12 months. Read more about Handicap Index® HERE.

Athletes must ahere to the USNDP Code of Conduct and be in good standing with other junior golf organizations or programs. Any athlete who is serving a suspension from a junior golf organization is not eligible for Team Minnesota.

Athletes must be an amateur under the Rules of Amateur Status and comply with the Rules of Amateur Status, USGA Anti-Doping Protocol, USGA Betting Policy and the USGA Gender Policy.

When will Team Minnesota start?

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

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

Yes! Once named to Team Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota, 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.

When will the selection committee and criteria be determined?

We will be announcing the Team Minnesota selection committee within the next month. We will announce the Team Minnesota selection criteria in 2025. The criteria will be determined by our Team Minnesota staff and selection committee.

What are the benefits of being on Team Minnesota?

We are hard at work developing the program and benefits for Team Minnesota. We will be announcing more details in early 2025! Stay tuned!

I have questions about Team Minnesota, who should I reach out to?

Please reach out to Holly Noble with any questions or inquiries regarding Team Minnesota:
Email: holly@mngolf.org
Phone: (952) 345-3961

U.S. National Development Program - Team Minnesota

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