The U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) created by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 2023 is the country’s first unified pathway to nurture the potential of America’s top junior golf players. The program, led by managing director Heather Daly-Donofrio, aims to identify, train, develop, fund, and support promising junior players, regardless of cultural, geographical, or financial background. The USNDP includes three national teams at the junior, amateur, and young professional levels, as well as a grant program to assist junior golfers with cost barriers. The ultimate goal is to develop athletes who thrive in the sport.
Through extensive research and conversations with other countries and sports development programs, Daly-Donofrio laid the foundation for the USNDP, starting with a strategy that focuses on building a comprehensive program. The program began at the junior level in 2023 with the launch of the National Junior Team, comprised of 10 girls and eight boys. The grant program, also initiated in 2023, aids players with entry fees, travel expenses, coaching costs, and equipment, with the number of grant recipients set to increase each year.
To create a productive ecosystem for player development, the USGA has established partnerships with key organizations such as the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), LPGA professionals, the PGA of America, and various golf coaches associations. Collaborating with other entities in the golf community has been instrumental in laying a solid foundation for the program’s success. The shared belief across all partners is that the program is ultimately about the athletes’ development and not about any one organization’s benefit.
The USNDP is implementing a state model for player development, where players progress from their state team to regional and national teams, leading up to collegiate and professional golf. The program aims to have state teams in all 50 states by 2033, with the objective of encouraging athletes to develop within their state and aspire to higher levels of competition. By structuring the program in this way, the USGA hopes to create a clear pathway for junior golfers to reach the professional ranks.
Head coach Chris Zambri and senior player development advisor Beth Brown have been tasked with designing a holistic program that provides players with the physical, technical, and mental tools to compete at the highest level. Drawing inspiration from successful national programs in other countries, the USNDP aims to offer a comprehensive approach to athlete development tailored to the American golfing culture. By learning from the experiences of other federations and implementing best practices, the USGA is positioning itself to nurture top talent in junior golf.
In addition to focusing on elite development, the USNDP places emphasis on diversifying and strengthening the junior golf pipeline by offering grants to promising players regardless of their current rankings. The program aims to identify talented boys and girls aged 13 and above from all corners of the country, providing them with opportunities for instruction, practice, and exposure to higher levels of competition. By supporting players who may not have had access to such resources in the past, the USNDP seeks to broaden the talent pool in American junior golf.
The USNDP has already seen initial successes, with players like Chloe Kovelesky, Mia Hammond, and Molly Brown Davidson competing under the USA flag at the 2023 World Junior Girls Championship. The National Junior Team has engaged in training camps, team-building exercises, and international competitions to foster camaraderie and skill development. The support provided by the program has allowed grant recipients to compete on a national level, improve their rankings, and receive attention from college coaches.
Looking ahead, the USNDP plans to increase the number of grant recipients to 100 by 2025 and impact a total of 1,500 players over the next eight years. The long-term goal is to see the program’s true impact unfold over the next 15-20 years, with a focus on the continuous development of top junior golf talent in the United States. Supporters of the program can contribute through donations, while aspiring players can apply for grants and benefit from the resources and opportunities provided by the USNDP. By fostering a culture of generosity and excellence in golf, the USGA hopes to build a sustainable pathway for junior golfers to thrive and succeed in the sport.
