Inaugural Team Colorado Announced as Part of USGA’s U.S. National Development Program
(Nov. 7, 2024) – Sixteen Colorado Golf Association (CGA) members have been named to the Inaugural Team Colorado. As part of the USGA’s U.S. National Development Program, Colorado was selected as one of seven states participating in the initial phase of the state team pilot program this year with the goal of all states having a team by 2033.
“We are very excited to welcome these athletes and their families to the inaugural Team Colorado. To be able to recognize the efforts and successes of young Colorado golfers is one of the many ways the CGA aspires to honor the game’s best players– and doing so in alignment with the USGA is even more impactful” says Ashley Harrell, CGA Chief Operating Officer.
A Team Colorado oversight committee carefully selected athletes based on performance-related factors throughout the 2024 season. To be eligible to compete on a state team in 2024, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and Colorado resident, be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2025, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2025, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2024-2025 school year. CGA membership including a Handicap Index® is also required.
2025 Team Colorado Athletes (and HS graduation year)
Gavin Amella, 2026, Castle Rock
Hadley Ashton, 2025, Erie
Zoe Bar-Or, 2026, Greenwood Village
Ashley Chang, 2026, Lone Tree
Charlie Doyle, 2025, Colorado Springs
Brayden Forte, 2026, Aurora
Jesse Hand, 2025, Littleton
Brenna Higgins, 2025, Centennial
Addison Hines, 2026, Arvada
Landon Houska, 2026, Fort Collins
Austin Hunt, 2026, Highlands Ranch
Miles Kuhl, 2026, Boulder
Sophia Lee, 2028, Columbine Valley
Tyler Long, 2025, Evergreen
Isabella Scott, 2027, Castle Rock
Ashleigh Wilson, 2025, Highlands Ranch
Beginning in January 2025, Team Colorado will receive benefits including, but not limited to, apparel and gear, statistical tracking software access, access to complimentary coaching and mentorship, competitive opportunities, and more at no cost to the athlete. “We are confident that Team Colorado will enhance the development of each athlete as they aspire to compete at the next level. Supporting the individual needs of each athlete, creating a team mentality, and representing our home state is what this is all about,” adds Harrell.
————-
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 state team program will focus on creating a developmentally appropriate, aspirational pathway for athletes within each state to compete at higher levels of the game, including an opportunity to represent the United States as a member of the USNDP’s National Team led by Coach Chris Zambri.
For more information, contact
Ashley Harrell
303-366-4653
