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Team Louisiana

Team Louisiana

Reshaping the Future of Elite Level Junior Golf.

Louisiana Joins the National Stage

Louisiana is thrilled to announce the launch of the first state junior golf team (Team Louisiana). This team will expand and diversify the pipeline for elite local junior golfers by creating critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched by the United States Golf Association.

Shaping the Future of American Golf

The USNDP is a new initiative launched by the United States Golf Association to expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the national development program and to strengthen junior golf programming across the country. The program is designed to ensure that American golf remains a global leader by focusing on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and relations, and athlete financial support.

Selection Criteria

Team Louisiana will be selected by the Team Louisiana Selection Committee. The committee will be comprised of representatives from the Louisiana Golf Association, Louisiana Junior Golf Tour, and Gulf States Section of the PGA of America. The Committee will name 16 players (8 boys and 8 girls) to the 2027 team. Players will earn their way onto Team Louisiana through outstanding completive performances during the 2026 and additional criteria listed below.
 
Athletes will accumulate points in 2026 events selected by the committee. These points will determine the standings used for team selection. The Selection Committee will name six boys and six girls directly from the point standings. The remaining spots will be awarded using the points standings as the primary criteria, while also considering head-to-head results, scoring average, competitive round statistics. The committee will also factor in work ethic, willingness to learn, personal conduct (on and off the golf course), and the ability to work with others and be a good teammate.

Since 1920, the Louisiana Golf Association has proudly supported the game of golf throughout our state. As the trusted governing body for amateur golf in Louisiana, we oversee championships, manage the World Handicap System™, eLAvate the game of junior golf, and uphold the integrity of the sport. But our mission goes beyond tournaments—we’re committed to making golf more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable, ensuring it continues to thrive for generations of Louisiana golfers to come.

2026 Points List

1. Play in two (2) events listed on the Team Louisiana Points list. Any Qualifiers for those events and PGA Minnesota Players Tour events will count towards the two event requirement.

2. Players must be 13 years old by January 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-2026 school year.

3. Athletes must be a U.S. Citizen and the athlete’s parent or guardian must file personal taxes in Louisiana. Exceptions may be made for athletes with unique circumstances such as relocation, parents residing in different states, military families, etc.

3. Athletes must have an Handicap Index with a full scoring records of 20 score, including eight (8) competitive rounds within the previous 12 months.

4. Athletes must adhere to the USNDP Code of Conduct and be in good standing with other junior golf organizations or programs. Any athlete who is serving a suspension from a junior golf organization is not eligible for Team Louisiana.

5. Athletes must be an amateur under the Rules of Amateur Status and comply with the Rules of Amateur Status, USGA Anti-Dopping Protocol, USGA Betting Policy and the USGA Gender Policy.

Once selected, athletes are part of the USNDP for the 2026 calendar year and will receive various benefits and recognition for being part of the team.

Overview and Purpose:

One of the main goals of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) is to expand, strengthen and diversify the junior golf pipeline by creating critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities within each state for elite athletes ages 13-18. Part of this goal includes establishing state junior programs across the United States, and Louisiana will join this USNDP initiative in 2026.

The Team Louisiana Committee will name 8 boys and 8 girls to Team Louisiana in 2026.

Athletes earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance during the 2026 season.

Yes. Only players who are Louisiana residents and U.S. citizens are eligible for Team Louisiana.

Players 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.

Players must have an established Handicap Index® with the Louisiana Golf Association and enter all eligible scores to be eligible for Team Louisiana.

Read more about Handicap Index® HERE.

Team Louisiana will be named in late 2026. Team members will participate in Team Louisina programming and benefits in 2027. Players must earn their way onto the team each year.

Yes! Once named to Team Louisiana, 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 Louisiana 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.

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.

Team Louisiana athletes can expect to receive:

Access to best in class training, exposure to elite amateur golf competition and collegiate coaches, and also pride in representing your state as one of the best junior players in Louisiana.