b'GOLF IDAHOIGA selected to form Team USA Idaho G olf season is here, and as we embarkIdaho was selected as an early adopter to be added to the upon a busy golf season in our office, Ifold of states that will officially have their first team formed wanted to highlight some great new thingsin 2026, with players qualifying for the team through play in in the Idaho Junior Golf landscape. events in 2025.In early 2024, IGA Director of JuniorWith the addition of Team USA Idaho to the list of Golf Cecilia Baney and the Idaho Junioradministered programs of the IGA, the Idaho Junior Tour has Tour were paid a great compliment by thealso unveiled a new upper level of junior events being contested CALEB COX USGA in the form of Idaho being selectedfor the first time in 2025. Open to athletes aged 13-18 with IGA to be part of the USGAs new State Teama Handicap Index of 10.0 or lower, the Masters Tour offers a ExecutiveProgram. For a growing state like Idaho,rigorous format with individual stroke play over 36 holes. The Directorwhich has seen a flood of new junior talentMasters Tour initiative aims to provide advanced competitive in recent years, the opportunity to be partopportunities and foster talent development within the state and of the newly created State Team Program is an invaluableprovides another opportunity for state junior golfers to attain asset to our junior golf community. qualifying points to be named to Team USA Idaho. This new initiative was launched in an effort toIdaho has seen a great population growth over the last several strengthen the Junior Golf pipeline in the U.S., as so manyyears. With this growth comes more opportunity for junior players other countries have already done, focused on providingfrom the Gem State to demonstrate their capabilities at a higher essential development, competitive, and talent identificationlevel, both regionally as well as nationally. We at the IGA are opportunities for elite athletes aged 13-18 within each state.committed to helping Idahos best young players grow and are The U.S. State Team program that was launched in 2024looking forward to providing the best stage possible for them to with participation from seven states plans to expand annually,showcase their talents closer to home. with the goal of having teams in all states by 2033. Last year,What a ride this is going to be!2 GOLF IDAHO|JUN 2025'