IAGA Quick Hits | 6.24.26

Manifest Destiny: The USGA’s Julia Pine Always Wanted a Career in Sports and She’s Made it a Reality

As originally seen in NCGA Golf Magazine

Back in 2015, Frank Moore held a team off-site meeting where members of his staff at the Southern California Golf Association were asked to draw a picture of their ideal workday.

One of those staffers, Julia Pine, a Bay Area native, imagined herself at U.S. Open Final Qualifying site, sketching TV trucks and reporters that she assisted at “Golf’s Longest Day.”

“We talked about it and she said she loved the energy of the day, the human-interest stories that she helped uncover for Golf Channel and other national golf publications,” recalled Moore, the longtime communications and marketing director for the SCGA. “It’s no surprise that she looked to the USGA for her next opportunity.

Indeed, just a few years later, Pine manifested her dream day into her full-time job, including overseeing the communications strategy for U.S. Open Final Qualifying, not to mention the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, among the 15 championships the association oversees. In October, she was promoted to the USGA’s senior director of communications and content, adding responsibilities for the brand side, including handicapping and Green Section. She’ll attend upwards of six championships in person, highlighted by a three-week stretch in June that will take her from coast to coast: the U.S. Women’s Open and Curtis Cup in Los Angeles and the U.S. Open on Long Island.

Mass Golf New Member Referral Program

From Mass Golf

The Mass Golf New Member Referral Program rewards current Mass Golf members who refer eligible new individuals to join Mass Golf as full members. Referring members may earn tier award prizes and entries into an Annual Grand Prize Drawing based on the number of qualifying referrals they generate during the Program period. The Program runs from June 15th, 2026 through July 30th, 2026.

Grand Prize Drawing:

In addition to tier award prizes, each qualifying referral earns the Referring Member drawing entries into the Grand Prize Drawing

Grand Prize (1 winner) – Delta Air Lines Gift Card valued at $1000
Second Prize (multiple winners) – One (1) Delta Air Lines Gift Card valued at $500
Third Prize (multiple winners) – Free Foursome entry to a 2027 Mass Golf Member Day Tournament
Fourth Prize (multiple winners) – One (1) dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls.

Tier Award Prizes:

Tier award prizes are awarded on a cumulative basis once the Referring Member’s qualifying referrals reach each tier threshold during the Program Period.

Tier 1 (1-2 New Members) – 1 entry into the Annual Grand Prize Drawing per referral
Tier 2 (3-4 New Members) – Mass Golf Hat + 3 entries into Annual Grand Prize Drawing per referral
Tier 3 (5+ New Members) – Titleist Vokey SM11 Wedge + 5 entries into the Annual Grand Prize Drawing per referral

Team Georgia

From the Georgia State Golf Association

As part of its U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), the USGA created a State Junior Team program to expand, strengthen, and diversify the junior golf pipeline by creating critical development, competitive and talent identification opportunities within each state for elite athletes ages 13-18. This program launched in 2024 with seven states participating, including Team Georgia.

The USNDP is the United States’ first national development program to provide a clear and unified pathway for the country’s top players, beginning with competitive junior golf through to the pinnacles of the sport. The USNDP will identify, train, develop, fund, and support the nation’s most talented junior players – regardless of cultural, geographical, or financial background by focusing on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development and relations and athlete financial support.

Team Georgia – 2026

Team Georgia is made up of 24 players (12 boys, 12 girls) that were selected based on various criteria, including their performance in select events in 2025.

Eligible players must earn their way to Team Georgia each year. Once selected, athletes are part of the USNDP for the following calendar year and will receive various benefits and recognition for being part of Team Georgia.

Final selections for the 2027 team will be made in early 2027, with the primary focus on outstanding competitive performances by eligible junior golfers during the 2026 season in eligible events in Georgia and nationally.

AJGA and USGA Extend Strategic Partnership Through 2031

From the American Junior Golf Association

The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and the United States National Development Program (USNDP) have announced a five‑year extension of their strategic partnership, continuing a long‑standing partnership that supports junior golf development and the advancement of future American players. The renewed agreement runs through 2031.

The partnership aligns the AJGA with the USGA’s flagship development program, reinforcing a shared mission to foster future generations of golfers through competitive opportunities, education and long‑term athlete development. Together, the organizations will continue to collaborate on initiatives that support junior players, families and the broader golf community.

“For many years, our partnership with the USGA has played a meaningful role in shaping the competitive and developmental landscape of junior golf in the United States,” said Stephen Hamblin, Executive Director of the AJGA. “Extending this partnership allows us to build on a proven foundation, strengthen the pathway for young players and continue delivering opportunities that help prepare them for the highest levels of the game.”

Since the inception of the relationship, the AJGA and USNDP have worked closely to identify emerging talent, provide educational resources and promote a healthy, progressive pathway for junior golfers. The extension affirms a shared commitment to developing players both on and off the course while strengthening the future of the game.