TAMPA, Fla. – In 2023, the USGA announced the creation of the U.S. National Development Program, the country’s first unified program to help identify and develop top tier junior golfers. The USGA has stated that the U.S. National Development Program launched in order to ensure that American golf is the global leader in the game. The program focuses on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and relations, and athlete financial support.
With the creation of this program, the USGA is fulfilling a key pillar by announcing the first U.S. National Junior team. Out of the 18 players identified by the USGA (10 boys and 8 girls), six of them reside in Florida, three boys and three girls. In a press release distributed by the USGA, these 18 players will participate at bi-annual camps and compete internationally under the U.S. flag throughout the 2024 season. The first international friendly match will take place this summer against Australia. Read more below on the players that not only have represented the FSGA, but now the USGA, and the country as a whole.
Philip Dunham | Ponte Vedra Beach | 2026 
- 2024 Team Florida Member
- Qualified for 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
- Captured a win at the 2023 FJT Golf Road Junior Open (16-18)
- Finished fifth at the 11th FJT Tour Championship
- Eight time FJT champion
- Fourth ranked player in the country in the class of 2026, No. 1 in the state of Florida
Gianna Clemente | Estero | 2026
- 2023 recipient of the FSGA President's Award
- Champion of the 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner, Avery Zweig
- Round of 32 appearance in the 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship
- Semifinalist appearance in the 2022 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship
- Four-time Florida Junior Tour champion
Tyler Mawhinney | Fleming Island | 2026
- Third ranked player in the state of Florida, sixth ranked player overall in the class of 2026
- 2023 Class 3A FHSAA State champion
- 2023 Rolex Tournament of Champions champion
- Captured two consecutive top-5 finishes in Florida Junior Tour events in 2022
Ryleigh Knaub | Debary | 2025
- Earned a spot on 2024 Team Florida for the fourth consecutive year
- Finished in the top-5 at the 2023 FJT LPGA Open (16-18)
- Collected two second place finishes at FJT events in 2022: FJT Santa Lucia *Exempt Only* (75-69), and FJT Sugar Mill Open (72)
- Secured a third place finish at the 2022 Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan Open carding rounds of 71-72
- Advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner, Izzy Pellot
- Captured two victories in 2021: FJT Palm Aire *Exempt Only* (70-69), and the FJT Tour Championship (72-68-71)
Miles Russell | Jacksonville Beach | 2027
- Earned a spot on 2024 Team Florida for the third consecutive year
- Took home the victory at the 2023 Junior PGA Championship
- No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2027 in the country
- Represented the United States at the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup in Rome
- Fourteen wins on the Florida Junior Tour, dating back to 2019
- Round of 64 appearance in the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
Chloe Kovelesky | Boca Raton | 2025
- Earned a spot on 2024 Team Florida for the fourth consecutive year
- Earned 2023 Girls' Junior Player of the Year honors
- Captured a win at the 2023 Women’s Amateur Championship and became the youngest player ever to win the championship in its 94-year history
- Competed in the 2021 U.S. Women's Open Championship
- Captured a second place finish at the 2023 FJT Stone Creek *Exempt Only* with rounds of 69-68
- Won the 2022 FJT Duran *Exempt Only* carding rounds of 70-69
- Captured a victory at the 2022 Women’s Four-Ball Championship posting rounds of 61-66 with partner, Gabriella Albert
For more information about the U.S. National Junior Team, CLICK HERE.
