The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced its 2026 U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) Grant Program athletes. In total, 124 athletes representing 32 states and ranging in age from 13-18 will receive more than $1.1 million in financial assistance. California has the most athletes with 26, followed by Florida with 11 and Texas with nine.
This demonstrates significant growth in the third year of the grant program. In 2024, the program’s inaugural year, 72 families received more than $650,000 in funding. In 2025, the program awarded more than $865,000 to 109 families.
Grant program funding is provided by the USGA, founding partners Ally Financial and Sentry Insurance and generous donations from the golf community. Over the next few years, the program aims to support 300 participants annually.
“The growth we have seen in the first three years of our grant program is amazing and reflects our continued commitment of delivering competitive opportunities, financial support, and training that develops American golf talent and mitigates financial burdens,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, USNDP Managing Director, Player Relations and Development. “We are excited to build on this momentum in 2026 and continue growing and shaping the future of American golf.”
As part of the USGA’s commitment to lessen barriers of cost to promising junior golfers who demonstrate both financial need and the potential to progress through the USNDP pathway, grant athletes receive assistance to cover actual and incurred golf and athlete development-related expenses. These include practice and green fees, competitive tournament fees, tournament travel, and coach fees and equipment costs. In addition, grant athletes receive athlete development support, such as virtual coaching sessions and 1-on-1 consultations and statistical analysis with USNDP coaches.
In the grant athlete class of 2025, a total of 32 states were represented, with the most athletes coming from California (19), Florida (15), Georgia (seven), and Texas (seven) with an average age of 16. Learn more about Team Northern California here.
The group had 21 USGA championship appearances across six events, with the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball leading the way with seven individuals qualifying.
There were 120 tournament wins, including 12 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events, and 329 top-5 finishes. The group boasted a scoring average of 74.42 across 292 AJGA events and 685 other tournaments.
About The USNDP
The mission of the U.S. National Development Program is to foster future generations of American golf talent. The USNDP, developed and managed by the USGA, provides a pathway to success in golf by delivering competitive opportunities, support and training that develops American golf talent and mitigates financial burdens. With our key strategic partners, host venues and champions, we provide education, experiences and mentorship that help athletes achieve success at each level. We are committed to fostering a positive and healthy pathway for American golfers to follow their dreams and reach the pinnacle of the sport.