About Team Iowa & USNDP
Iowa is excited to announce the launch of Team Iowa in alignment with the USGA’s National Development and State Team Programs. The USNDP is an initiative of the USGA to ensure that America stays competitive in golf at the highest levels. The USNDP focuses on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and relations, and athlete financial support. Team Iowa will use these pillars to support Iowa’s elite junior golfers at the state level, while providing the athletes access to the USNDP pipeline.
The Team Iowa Committee is still making final decisions on the framework for the 2028 team. All website links will be updated with the full information by December 1, 2026.
Members of Team Iowa will have access to valuable developmental resources, high level coaching, and team competitive opportunities. More Team Iowa benefits will be posted throughout 2027. All interested athletes must complete the Team Iowa application below to confirm eligibility & share contact information:
FOLLOW ALONG
Follow @teamiowa.usndp on Instagram for updates throughout the season!
We will post updates on point events and important sign-up dates to keep in mind.
Selection Criteria
The Team Iowa Committee – composed of representatives from across the state well versed in junior golf – will name 8 boys and 8 girls to Team Iowa in the fall of 2027. Athletes will earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance in 2027 and additional criteria listed below.
The Team Iowa points list will be used at the primary piece of consideration for an athlete making the team. The Team Iowa Committee is still finalizing the points list. The points list will be released by December 1, 2026 and will be different than the IGA Junior/Junior Girls’ Player of the Year Lists.
The team will be named by a combination of automatic selections from the points list and committee picks. The exact breakdown of automatic selections and committee selections will be published by December 1, 2026. The committee picks will be awarded based on several points of consideration including, but not limited to, the Team Iowa Points list, graduation year, public rankings, scoring, results, sportsmanship, and commitment. Full selection criteria will be published by December 1, 2026.
To be eligible for the 2028 team, athletes must satisfy the following:
- Be a U.S. citizen & a resident of Iowa (defined as having a parent/guardian who files state taxes in Iowa)
- Be at least 13 years old on November 15, 2027 (when the team is named) and not reached their 19th birthday on or before July 15, 2028
- Must not be enrolled in college for the 2027-28 school year
- Hold a USGA Handicap Index and consistently post eligible scores
- Athletes must adhere to the USNDP Code of Conduct and be in good standing with junior golf organizations. Any athlete serving a suspension from any junior golf organization is not eligible for a State Team
- Compete in a minimum of two events from the approved Points List (to be released by December 1, 2026)
- Complete the Team Iowa Application: 2028 Team Iowa Application
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Team Iowa start?
Team Iowa will be named in late 2027. Team members will participate in Team
Iowa programming and benefits in 2028. Players must earn their way onto the
team each year.
Who will be on Team Iowa?
The Team Iowa Committee will name 8 boys and 8 girls to Team Iowa in 2027. Athletes earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance during the 2027 season
What are the benefits of being on Team Iowa?
Team Iowa athletes can expect to receive:
- Team Iowa gear – golf bag, head covers, apparel.
- Team competitive opportunities
- Access to athlete development resources – Team Iowa coaches, informational sessions, team clinics/camps
- Access to Accel Stat tracking software
- Consideration for USNDP exemptions into AJGA non-invitational tournaments
- Streamlined USNDP Grant application process for families who meet the eligibility requirements, including demonstrating financial need.
- Acknowledgement on USNDP digital channels.
- Addition to USNDP database/watchlist for potential future opportunities.
- Access to discounts on equipment as they become available.
- Additional benefits as they become available.
Do you need to be an Iowa resident to be part of Team Iowa?
Yes. Only players who are Iowa residents and U.S. citizens are eligible for Team Iowa.
How old do you need to be to be part of Team Iowa?
Players must be 13 years old when the team is officially named (November 15, 2027), have not reached their 19th birthday on or before July 15, 2028, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2027-2028 school year.
Are there any other requirements to be on Team Iowa?
- Players must complete the Team Iowa application: Team Iowa Application 2028
- Players must have an established Handicap Index® and enter all eligible scores to be eligible for Team Iowa. Read more about Handicap Index® HERE.
- Compete in a minimum of 2 events from the points list (to be released by December 1, 2026)
If an athlete is part of Team Iowa, are they automatically a part of the U.S. National Development Program?
Yes! Once named to Team Iowa, 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 Iowa 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 Iowa, 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.