USNDP Team Nebraska | Nebraska Golf Association

Nebraska is excited to announce the launch of Team Nebraska. The goal of this team is to expand the pipeline for elite golfers in Nebraska into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched by the United States Golf Association. Nebraska is one of 17 states being added to the state team program in 2027.

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 Nebraska will join this USNDP initiative in 2027.

Team Nebraska Selection

Team Nebraska will consist of eight (8) athletes: Four (4) Boys and Four (4) Girls. Selection will combine objective results from the NebGolf Junior Point System with discretionary selections by the Team Nebraska Committee.

• Automatic Selections: The two highest-ranked eligible Boys and the two highest-ranked eligible Girls in the final NebGolf Junior Point Standings will earn automatic selection to Team Nebraska.

• Committee Selections: The Team Nebraska Committee will select the remaining two boys and two girls from the pool of eligible athletes.

• Committee Evaluation: In making discretionary selections, the Team Nebraska Committee will consider each athlete's overall competitive performance and development potential. Factors may include past participation in the program; NebGolf Junior Point Standings; performance in state, regional and national competition; scoring performance and consistency; applicable junior and amateur rankings; head-to-head results; recent performance and progression; sportsmanship; character; coachability; work ethic; and the ability and willingness to represent Team Nebraska as a positive teammate.

Team Nebraska Eligibility- Full Document
Boys Point System- (Will be posted here)
Girls Point Sytem- (Will be posted here)

ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION

All athletes must satisfy both Team Nebraska and applicable USGA State Junior Team Program eligibility requirements. The Team Nebraska Committee is responsible for verifying eligibility and making discretionary selections. The Committee reserves the right to determine an athlete ineligible or remove an athlete from the team for conduct or circumstances inconsistent with Team Nebraska or USNDP requirements.

2028 TEAM EXAMPLE

For the 2028 Team Nebraska, an athlete must be in 11th grade or younger during the Spring in 2028. A student who is a high school senior during the Spring of 2028 is not eligible. The athlete must also be at least 13 years old when the team is officially named and must not have reached their 19th birthday on or before July 15th, 2028.

USNDP_Team Nebraska_Announcement_socialdetails

FAQs

Who will be on Team Nebraska?

The Team Nebraska Committee will name 4 boys and 4 girls to Team Nebraska in 2027. Athletes earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance during the 2027 season.

Do you need to be a Nebraska resident to be part of Team Nebraska?

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

How old do you need to be to be part of Team Nebraska?

Players must be 13 years old by January 1, 2028, have not reached their 19th birthday on or before the completion of the respective 2028 USGA Junior Amateur Championship (U.S. Girls’ Junior – July 15; U.S. Junior Amateur – July 22), and must not be enrolled in college for the 2027-2028 school year.

Are there any other requirements to be on Team Nebraska?

Players must have an established Handicap Index® and enter all eligible scores to be eligible for Team Nebraska. Read more about Handicap Index® HERE.

When will Team Nebraska start?

Team Nebraska will be named in late 2027. Team members will participate in Team Nebraska programming and benefits in 2028. Players must earn their way onto the team each year.

If an athlete is part of Team Nebraska, are they automatically a part of the U.S. National Development Program?

Yes! Once named to Team Nebraska, 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska, 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.