Iowa is launching a state junior team that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers as part of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), an initiative launched in 2023 by the United States Golf Association (USGA) to create critical development, competitive, and talent identification opportunities for golfers ages 13-18. 

Iowa is one of 20 states to join the USNDP’s state junior team program in 2027. The initiative launched in January 2024 with seven pilot states and continues to grow steadily with nine states in 2025 and 14 in 2026. With the 20 states joining in 2027, the USGA has officially reached their goal to establish a team in every state working in close partnership with allied golf associations, the PGA of America and its sections, and local junior golf programs. 

“The growth of the state team program in year three is an important step in building the national player pathway,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, USGA managing director, U.S. National Development Program. “This program is about more than competition. It gives young players the opportunity to develop together, build relationships with teammates and proudly represent their home states, all while gaining greater access to resources that can support their growth. These experiences will strengthen junior golf locally and deepen the overall pool of talent nationwide.” 

The Team Iowa committee has been created to oversee team selection criteria, and the operation of Team Iowa based on the guidelines provided by the USNDP. The committee is composed of representatives from the IGA, Iowa PGA Section, and other individuals knowledgeable about junior golf in Iowa. There are eleven committee members from across the state of Iowa. The committee is currently working on finalizing a points list for select events and additional selection criteria for the team. The final details will be released by December 1, 2026. 

While Team Iowa is being announced today, there will not be athletes on the team until 2028. In 2027, athletes will have the opportunity to play their way onto the team by earning points in select events. In November of 2027, eight boys and eight girls will be named to Team Iowa by a combination of automatic selections from the Team Iowa points list and committee selections. Team Iowa athletes will begin programming in 2028. 

To be eligible to compete on Team Iowa, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and resident of Iowa. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Nov. 15, 2027, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 15, 2028, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2027-2028 school year. A Handicap Index® is also required. 

Additional information on Team Iowa can be found here: https://iowagolf.org/teamiowa/ 

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 Team Iowa program will focus on creating a developmentally appropriate, aspirational pathway for athletes within Iowa to compete at higher levels of the game. Members of Team Iowa will have access to elite developmental resources within our state through team camps and meetings as well as team apparel. 

More information about Team Iowa will be released in the coming months. Please email IGA Director of Development, Paige Hoffman, with any questions at [email protected].