The US Junior National Team in a training session last year.
USGA/Edward M. Pio Roda
The USGA has got it the next step in identification and development the next crop of elite American gamers.
On Thursday, the governing body announced the 2025 roster for the U.S. Junior National Team, as well as the inaugural roster for the Elite Amateur Program.
The two teams are part of US National Development Program (now in its second year), which was founded with the goal of identifying, training, developing, funding and supporting America’s most promising young players – regardless of cultural, geographic or financial background.
Following the program’s successful first season in 2024, the 2025 USA Junior National Team roster includes 11 boys and 11 girls, showcasing some of the nation’s brightest young talent. The team has 14 returners from the 2024 roster, while eight will be making their first appearance.
The Elite Amateur Program will take youth national team development one step further as it complements the players’ college programs to provide additional support in the athletes’ college years. This team is the second of three teams to be launched as part of the USNDP, with a third – the Youth Professional Team – set to debut in 2026.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth over the past year in young athletes on the USA Junior National Team, and with the launch of the USA Elite Amateur Program, it represents another important step in our mission to nurture top talent, to provide individualized support and prepare them for success on the world stage,” USNDP head coach Chris Zambri said in a statement. “We are excited to build on this momentum in 2025 and continue to grow and shape the future of American golf.”
USGA creates new program to develop America’s youngest players
Jessica Marksbury
In addition to the two national lists, the USGA also announced this year’s USNDP grant funding, which helps alleviate cost barriers for promising young players who demonstrate financial need. This year, $795,000 is awarded to 100 players representing 31 states to help cover athlete development expenses.
Below are the full 2025 USA Junior National Team and USA Elite Program rosters.
USA Junior National Team
boys
Kihei Akina*, 19, Alpine, Utah
Ronin Banerjee*, 16, Irvine, California.
Luke Colton*, 17, Frisco, Texas
Philip Dunham, 17, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Henry Guan, 16, Irving, Texas
Trevor Gutschewski*, 17, Omaha, Neb.
Will Hartman, 18, Marvin, NC
Jessy Huebner*, 15, Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Tyler Mawhinney, 17, Fleming Island, Fla.
Michael Riebe, 18, Encinitas, California.
Tyler Watts, 17, Huntsville, Ala.
the girls
Shyla Brown, 16, McKinney, Texas
Anna Fang*, 15, San Diego, California.
Mia Hammond, 16, New Albany, Ohio
Ryleigh Knaub, 18, DeBary, Fla.
Jude Lee*, 17, Walnut, California.
Nikki Oh, 17, Torrance, California.
Emerie Schartz, 17, Wichita, Kan.
Scarlett Schremmer, 18, Birmingham, Ala.
Asterisk Talley, 15, Chowchilla, Calif.
Amelie Zalsman*, 16, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Angela Zhang, 15, Bellevue, Wash.
*new team members
American Elite Amateur Program
boys
Max Herendeen, 19, Bellevue, Wash.
Jackson Koivun, 19, Chapel Hill, NC
Jacob Modleski, 20, Noblesville, Ind.
the girls
Gianna Clemente, 16, Estero, Fla.
Anna Davis, 18, Spring Valley, California.
Jasmine Koo, 18, Cerritos, California.
Farah O’Keefe, 19, Austin, Texas
Catherine Park, 20, Irvine, California.
Kiara Romero, 18, San Jose, California.
