The United States Golf Association (USGA) recently announced that Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Tournament Charities have committed $1.5 million over three years to support the expansion of the State Junior Team component of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP).
This commitment, which runs from 2026 through 2028, will provide $500,000 annually to help grow and strengthen state-based junior development programs across the country, with the goal of having all 50 states participating in the State Junior Team Program by the end of 2028. Team Northern California was formed in 2025.
“Masters Tournament Charities shares our belief that meaningful development starts at the local level,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, managing director, U.S. National Development Program. “Their commitment to the State Junior Team Program is an investment in young athletes across the country, helping states provide thoughtful, high-quality development opportunities that support both competitive growth and personal development. We’re incredibly grateful for their partnership as we work toward a truly national pathway for junior golfers.”
Launched in January 2024, the State Junior Team Program is designed to create a developmentally appropriate and aspirational pathway for junior golfers within their home states, helping them progress toward higher levels of competitive golf. Sixteen states currently have programs up and running with active participants, and an additional 14 states joined the initiative in fall 2025. Those states will select their first rosters following the 2026 season.
Funding from Masters Tournament Charities will be distributed annually based on state junior team size. The investment will directly support athlete development and educational initiatives aligned with the USNDP’s guiding principle of Developing Athletes Who THRIVE, with an emphasis on both on-course performance and off-course growth.
In addition to athlete-focused programming, the funding will support enhanced resources for state team administrators, including shared educational materials, instructional videos and opportunities for states to collaborate and exchange best practices as the program continues to scale nationwide.
Each participating State Junior Team Program is overseen by a committee composed of representatives from major golf organizations within the state, including Allied Golf Associations and PGA of America Sections. These committees are responsible for establishing team selection criteria and administering their state programs in accordance with guidelines provided by the USGA, ensuring a consistent national framework while allowing for local leadership and collaboration.
In other USNDP news, the USGA recently announced the roster for the 2026 Elite Amateur Program, a pillar of the USNDP that was established in 2023 to create a unified pathway designed to nurture the potential of America’s top players.
Not surprisingly, one of the team members is 2024-25 NCGA Women's Player of the Year Kiara Romero.
Romero, a 19-year-old junior at the University of Oregon and a native of San Jose, will be a member of the Elite Amateur Program for a second consecutive year. The University of Oregon junior made history at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally at Erin Hills by shooting the lowest final-round score ever by an amateur (5-under 67). Romero became the first Oregon player to win both a conference (Big Ten) individual title and a NCAA regional individual title in the same season as a sophomore in 2024-25. She holds the record for most individual titles in program history with five.
Esteemed golf writer and NCGA Golf Magazine contributor Alan Shipnuck profiled Romero in the February issue.
The Elite Amateur Program rosters are compiled and reevaluated annually by a selection committee of USNDP staff members, and eligibility criteria include nationality, age, amateur status, conduct, performance, education and graduation year.
