New Albany's Mia Hammond named to inaugural U.S. national junior golf team by USGA
Mia Hammond, a New Albany High School sophomore and veteran of two LPGA tournaments, was announced Tuesday as one of 10 girls named to the USGA’s inaugural U.S. National Junior Team.
The team, which also consists of eight boys, will compete internationally, including in a friendly match this summer against Australia, according to a USGA press release.
The team’s first training camp will be from May 8-11 in Johns Creek, Georgia.
“I can’t express how much this opportunity truly means to myself, as well as my family,” Hammond said in an Instagram post announcing her selection. “Thank you so much to everyone at the USGA for this opportunity.”
Hammond won the Division I girls golf state championship in October with a two-day record score of 136. On Jan. 30, she announced that she was forfeiting high school eligibility after signing with Columbus-based Sterling Sports Management for name, image and likeness representation.
Hammond competed in two LPGA events last year, tying for 26th place in the Dana Open in Sylvania in July before falling short of the cut at the Kroger Queen City Classic in September in Cincinnati.
She also participated in the World Junior Girls Championship in October in Ontario.
Hammond, a Crooksville native, is the only Ohioan on the National Junior Team and one of only two selections from the Midwest, along with girls teammate Emerie Schartz of Topeka, Kansas. Both are 16.
The USGA plans to grow the National Junior Team to 30 boys and 30 girls by 2027, according to the release.
It also plans to announce an Amateur Team in 2025 and a Young Professional Team in 2026.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio golfer Mia Hammond named to inaugural U.S. National Junior Team
