MSGA Launches State Junior Team As Part Of The USGA’s U.S. National Development Program

The Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA) is launching a state junior golf team, encompassing Maryland and Washington, D.C., 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.

“Now more than ever, we are dedicated to developing the next generation of golfers through junior initiatives like the U.S. National Development Program,” said Sinclair Eaddy Jr., MSGA president. “We are proud to support Team Maryland as part of the USNDP and will continue to invest in young golfers through our state grant program.”

In addition to supporting Team Maryland, the MSGA continues to invest in the growth and accessibility of junior golf through its state grant program. The program provides funding to support youth initiatives, expand playing opportunities, and remove financial barriers for aspiring golfers across Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Maryland 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 of 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. Maryland’s team committee includes the Maryland State Golf Association and the Middle Atlantic PGA Section (MAPGA).

The committee will oversee team selection criteria and the operation of Team Maryland 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.

Team Maryland expects to have 10 players, comprising five boys and five 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 Maryland or the District of Columbia. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by 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 FAQs can be found on the Team Maryland webpage.

Announced in February 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.