This week, the USGA’s US Junior National Team will host members of the Australian High Performance program for a two-day match at SentryWorld in Stevens Point, Wis., creating the first friendly competition of its kind for the new US National Development Program. Six boys and six girls from each program will compete in the meet, which will feature four-and-four matches on Tuesday and 12 singles matches on Wednesday.
Here are three things to know when starting the race:
It was about time
Almost every country that sends golfers to the Olympics has a national development team to train, develop and nurture the country’s top youth. Until last year, the US did not. But with the USGA’s creation of the US National Development Program, America is now equipped to keep pace with its international counterparts and provide guidance, funding and mentorship to youth across the country. The 18-man U.S. Youth National Team is just one of several initiatives under the program, which also includes grant programs and state teams.
The team match is ready
While the USA boasts an overall winning record in both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, of late, Europe has proven to be the stronger side, winning five of the last seven Ryder Cup events and three consecutive Solheim Cups. Why has the US struggled in many of these professional competitions? Playing abroad and you understand squares, also known as alternate shot, when two partners compete as a side playing a ball in alternating order on each hole. As part of the US Junior National Team, members will compete more often in foursomes and have the opportunity to travel abroad to experience other styles of golf courses and weather conditions, all with the goal of bringing American golf more trophies and wins in races. future.
Curtis Cup, anyone?
On July 10, the top three members of the 2024 USA Curtis Cup Team will be decided, as the top three Americans in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® will receive automatic selections. While 2023 women’s amateur four-ball champion and 2022 US junior girls runner-up Gianna Clemente, currently ranked 22nd on WAGR ® and the ninth-highest American woman, will not be able to break into the top three before cut off , this week’s match against Australia is a measuring event, suitable for WAGR points. A strong showing leading into a busy summer of amateur events can only boost 16-year-old Clemente’s chances of being the youngest USA Curtis Cup athlete since Lucy Li played on the 2018 winning team at age 15. The 2024 match against Great Britain and Ireland is scheduled for Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Sunningdale Golf Club in England. Each team consists of eight players.
