The USGA recently announced the roster for the 2026 Elite Amateur Program, a pillar of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) that was established in 2023 to create a unified pathway designed to nurture the potential of America’s top players.
Not surprisingly, one of the team members is 2024-25 NCGA Women's Player of the Year Kiara Romero.
Romero, a 19-year-old junior at the University of Oregon and a native of San Jose, will be a member of the Elite Amateur Program for a second consecutive year. The University of Oregon junior made history at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally at Erin Hills by shooting the lowest final-round score ever by an amateur (5-under 67). Romero became the first Oregon player to win both a conference (Big Ten) individual title and a NCAA regional individual title in the same season as a sophomore in 2024-25. She holds the record for most individual titles in program history with five.
Esteemed golf writer and NCGA Golf Magazine contributor Alan Shipnuck profiled Romero in the February issue.
The Elite Amateur Program rosters are compiled and reevaluated annually by a selection committee of USNDP staff members, and eligibility criteria include nationality, age, amateur status, conduct, performance, education and graduation year.