In alignment with the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) initiative created by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the state of Delaware is creating a state junior team expanding the channels for elite golfers in the state. Team Delaware will be administered by GAP  and the Philadelphia Section of the PGA of America following USGA guidelines.

Team Delaware will be represented by two junior boys and two junior girls. The team members will be selected by a points-based system with the other one member of each gender selected by the Team Delaware Committee at-large using the points as a reference. Team members will earn benefits for the calendar year in which they are on the team. Players will need to earn a spot on the team each year.

To be eligible to compete on the team in 2026, a player must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Delaware and the athlete’s parents/guardians must file personal taxes in the state. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-26 school year.

A Handicap Index® is also required. Players must be a member of one of the listed organizations with an established Handicap Index®, having entered all eligible scores to be considered for Team Delaware.

In order to be eligible to receive points, players must compete in at least one (1) event from the points system as outlined in the Selection Criteria.

Team Delaware will be named in the fall 2025 with team members receiving benefits as a member of the USNDP through 2026. The USNDP will provide benefits and recognition to Team Delaware 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. Delaware will provide at least two days of athletic development and coaching at a Delaware facility.

Team Delaware’s captain is to be determined.

QUESTIONS

For questions related to Team Delaware, please contact:

Grant Morse – GAP Tournament Director (gmorse@gapgolf.org)