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Team New York's inaugural roster features 24-players (12 boys/12 girls) from throughout the Empire State and two coaches

(January 6, 2026) – The selection committee for Team New York is pleased to announce the 24-player roster (12 boys/12 girls) who will make up its inaugural team for 2026. Two coaches have also been appointed for the program.

Related: Team New York Homepage

New York was part of the second wave of states added to the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), which began with seven pilot states in 2024. Fourteen more states were added in October of 2025 to bring the State Junior Team Program up to 30 states. The USGA aims for all 50 states to have a team by 2033.

Team New York is being guided in partnership between the USGA’s three Allied Golf Associations in the state – the Metropolitan Golf Association, New York State Golf Association, and the Rochester District Golf Association – with additional involvement from the state’s PGA Sections.

An events points list and other selection criteria were announced in March of 2025, with players earning points throughout the season based on their finishes. New York’s inaugural rosters were then decided through regional selections, points list selections, and committee picks.

Team members will receive at least two days of in-person athlete development in 2026, access to webinars led by the USNDP’s coaching and athlete development team, and other select benefits. Team selection is conducted on an annual basis, with players earning their spot on the team each year.

Anders Mattson, owner and founder of AndersMattsonGolf based out of Saratoga Springs, will serve as head coach, focusing on mentorship, competitive preparation, and culture-building for the program. Mattson is a three-time Northeastern NY PGA Teacher of the Year and served as director of instruction at Saratoga National Golf Club prior to launching his own academy in 2019.

Nick Novak, the director of instruction at The Apawamis Club in Rye, will be an assistant coach for the program, aiding in player engagement and program delivery. Novak was included on Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers list for 2025-26 and in 2022 earned the Player Development Award from the Met PGA.

To be eligible to compete on the New York team, a player must be a U.S. Citizen and be a New York State resident. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2026, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2026, and must not be enrolled in college for the 2025-2026 school year. A Handicap Index® through the NYSGA, MGA, or RDGA and eligible posted scores is also required.