Colorado has launched a state junior golf team (Team Colorado) that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched by the United States Golf Association. Read the full launch press release HERE.
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. Team Colorado focuses on creating a developmentally appropriate, aspirational pathway for athletes in Colorado to compete at higher levels of the game.
Team Colorado FAQs
Who is on Team Colorado?
The Team Colorado Committee will name eight boys and eight girls to Team Colorado in 2025. Athletes earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance during the 2025 season. See “Team Colorado Points Events” section below.
Do you need to be a Colorado resident to be part of Team Colorado?
Yes. Only players who are Colorado residents are eligible for Team Colorado.
How old do you need to be to be part of Team Colorado?
Players must be 13 years old by January 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July ##, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-2026 school year.
Are there any other requirements to be on Team Colorado?
Players must be a member of the Colorado Golf Association and have an established Handicap Index® and enter all eligible scores to be eligible for Team Colorado. Boys must have a Handicap Index® of 2.4 or better. Girls must have a Handicap Index® of 5.4 or better. Read more about Handicap Index® HERE.
When will Team Colorado start?
Team Colorado – 2026 will be named in late 2025. Team members will participate in Team Colorado programming and benefits in 2026. Players must earn their way onto the team each year.
What are the benefits of being on Team Colorado?
Once an athlete commits to Team Colorado, they can expect to receive team gear, invitations to state camps at elite facilities, Junior Americas Cup team eligibility and selection, support and mentorship from the Team Colorado staff, and access to other resources as needed.
If an athlete is part of Team Colorado, are they automatically a part of the USNDP?
Yes! Once named to Team Colorado, athletes are a part of the USNDP for the following calendar year. The USNDP will provide benefits and recognition to Team Colorado participants. These benefits may include recognition on the USGA/USNDP website and social media, expedited USNDP grant program access, exemptions to local AJGA events, invites to future USNDP camps, and access to the official USNDP statistical platform. Read more about the USNDP HERE.
If an athlete is part of Team Colorado, are they automatically a part of the National Junior Team?
No. The National Junior Team will be for a select and relatively small number of athletes compared to the number of athletes on State Teams and is solely selected by the USGA.
Team Colorado Points Events
The Team Colorado Points Lists will be used as a guide when inviting players to join the team. Other criteria may be considered at the sole discretion of the Committee. This list will be updated for 2026 team selection by March of 2025.
| In-State (CO) Events – Stroke Play | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| AJGA Colorado Junior (Boys and Girls) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | |||||
| AJGA Colorado Springs Junior (Boys and Girls) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | |||||
| AJGA Junior Open at The Bridges presented by City of Montrose (Boys and Girls) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | |||||
| CGA Amateur Championship | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| CGA State Junior Championship – 13 & Under (Boys and Girls) | 100 | 90 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | ||||||||||
| CGA Western Chapter Championship | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| CGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| CHSAA State Golf Championships – 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A (Boys and Girls) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| Colorado Open – Low Amateur | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Colorado Women’s Open – Low Amateur | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| COPGA MAJOR: Aurora Junior Championship (Boys and Girls) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| COPGA MAJOR: Colorado Junior PGA Championship (Boys and Girls) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| COPGA MAJOR: Colorado PGA Junior Invitational (Boys and Girls) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| Rocky Mountain Open – Low Amateur | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| In-State (CO) Events – Match Play | Champion | Finalist | Semi-Finalist | Qtr-Finalist | Round of 16 | Round of 32 |
| CGA Match Play Championship | 450 | 375 | 275 | 150 | 50 | NA |
| CGA State Junior Championship – Open Division (Boys and Girls) | 300 | 225 | 160 | 110 | 75 | 50 |
| CGA Women’s Match Play Championship | 450 | 375 | 275 | 150 | NA | NA |
| COPGA MAJOR: Junior Match Play Championship (Boys and Girls) | 150 | 120 | 80 | 50 | 25 | NA |
| USGA Championships | Champion | Finalist | Semi-Finalist | Qtr-Finalist | Round of 16 | Round of 32 | Round of 64 | In-Field* |
| U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships | 1500 | 1400 | 1300 | 1200 | 1100 | 1000 | 900 | 500 |
| U.S. Junior and U.S. Girls’ Junior Championships | 1000 | 900 | 800 | 700 | 600 | 500 | 400 | 250 |
| U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships** |
*In-Field: qualified for or were exempt AND teed it up in the Championship.
**points will be awarded at the discretion of the Team Colorado Committee.
| Regional/National Events – Stroke Play/Stableford | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| AJGA All-Star Invitational Events (Boys and Girls) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | |||||
| AJGA Preview & All-Star Events (Boys and Girls) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| AJGA Open Events (Boys and Girls) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | |||||
| AGA Invitational Events (Boys and Girls)* | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Elite Amateur and Elite Women’s Amateur Series Events | 650 | 550 | 475 | 400 | 325 | 275 | 250 | 225 | 200 | 175 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 30 | 20 |
| IMG Academy Junior World Championship (Boys and Girls 13-14) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| IMG Academy Junior World Championship (Boys and Girls 15-18) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | |||||
| Junior Americas Cup and Girls’ Junior Americas Cup | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Junior Invitational (Boys and Girls) | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Junior PGA Championship (Boys and Girls) | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| North & South Junior Championship (Boys and Girls) | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship (Boys and Girls 12-13, 14-15) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship (Boys and Girls 16-18) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | |||||
| Optimist International Championship (Boys 12-13, 14-15 and Girls 13-14) | 150 | 120 | 90 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | ||||||||||
| Optimist International Championship (Boys 16-18 and Girls 15-18) | 300 | 225 | 175 | 150 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | |||||
| Southern Junior Championship | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Western Junior | 450 | 375 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
*excluding team events.
| Regional/National Events – Match Play | Champion | Finalist | Semi-Finalist | Qtr-Finalist | Round of 16 | Round of 32 |
| AJGA Invitational Events (Boys and Girls)* | 450 | 375 | 275 | 150 | 50 | 25 |
| Elite Amateur and Elite Women’s Amateur Series Events | 650 | 550 | 450 | 275 | 225 | 120 |
| Women’s Western Junior | 450 | 375 | 275 | 150 | 50 | NA |
*excluding team events.
Other Events Considered: Players may be awarded points for other high-level competitions not included on this list at the discretion of the Team Colorado Committee. If players would like to submit an event for consideration, please email the results to Ashley at aharrell@coloradogolf.org. All point values will be determined solely by the Team Colorado Committee.
USNDP Grant Program
The USNDP offers a Grant Program for junior golfers with financial need, whether or not they are members of Team Colorado. Learn more HERE.
Team Colorado Committee
Colorado Golf Association: Ed Mate, Ashley Harrell, Cayla Regnery
Colorado Section of the PGA: Samantha Crawford, PGA
At Large: Mark Crabtree, Chris Nordling, Steve Ivan, Roger Prenzlow
Questions?
Contact Ashley at aharrell@coloradogolf.org.
Team Colorado – 2025
Inaugural Team Colorado Announced as Part of USGA’s U.S. National Development Program – Read the full press release HERE.
Team Selection Statement
Colorado, and the Colorado Golf Association (CGA) was among the first states to create a State Team as a part of the USGA’s National Development Program (USNDP). The CGA has always strived to be a leading golf association in the United States. Colorado has hosted more than its share of national championships and is known for being one of the strongest golf states in the country. This reputation led the USGA to select Colorado as one of the first seven states to set the example for the rest of the country in building the pipeline for elite junior golfers ages 13-18 into the USNDP.
Team Colorado is led by an oversight committee who work with the USNDP to meet the requirements of this exciting new program. One of the most important responsibilities of the oversight committee is to select Team Colorado members every year. The committee takes this responsibility very seriously and look at many factors to determine these selections. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the CGA and COPGA Junior Points Lists, junior rankings (Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS), American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), etc.), top-finishes at events, strength of field in events played, trending indicators, graduation year, and, on-course observations in both tournament play and practice. For the inaugural class of 2025, this process began early in 2024 and was continued throughout the year and included many thoughtful discussions.
Selecting a team for such an elite program is difficult given the number of very talented junior players in Colorado. It is our hope that both those who are selected, and those who are not use this program as motivation to achieve their full potential in the game of golf.