Mia Hamm Named Honorary Chair of 2026 U.S. Girls’ Junior

Mia Hamm, a four-time NCAA Division I women’s soccer champion at the University of North Carolina, two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, has been named honorary chair of the 77th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. The championship will be held July 13-18 at Old Chatham Golf Club, in Durham, N.C.

As honorary chair and current member at Old Chatham, Hamm will help support the USGA’s efforts to engage the local community and advance girls’ golf nationwide while celebrating the heritage of both the club and the U.S. Girls’ Junior.

“I am excited and filled with gratitude to serve as honorary chair for the U.S. Girls’ Junior, especially at my home club,” said Hamm. “Advocating for and advancing girls’ participation in sports holds a special place in my heart, and I hope to inspire other young girls to compete at the highest level. Old Chatham will certainly provide a challenging test, and I look forward to standing alongside the community as we cheer on the next generation of golf’s biggest stars.”

Hamm built her collegiate legacy in North Carolina, helping lead the Tar Heels to four NCAA Division I women’s soccer championships in five seasons (1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993) while redshirting the 1991 season to represent the United States at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. During her career with the Tar Heels, she led her team to a 92-1-2 record, earning unanimous National Player of the Year honors in both 1992 and 1993. She led the nation in scoring three times (1990, 1992 and 1993) and set the NCAA single-season scoring record with 97 points in 1992. Hamm also holds NCAA tournament career records for points (41) and goals (16).

“Mia Hamm is one of the most accomplished athletes of her generation and an exemplary role model for young women in sports,” said Tracy Parsons, USGA championship director. “Her relationship with the club and commitment to the local community will help elevate the region’s role in this event while celebrating the legacy of our storied championship.”

At the international level, Hamm produced one of the most decorated careers in U.S. women’s national team history. She competed in three Olympic Games, winning gold medals in 1996 and 2004, and appeared in four FIFA World Cups, helping the United States capture championships in 1991 and 1999. Hamm competed in 276 international matches, the fourth-most in U.S. women’s national team history and remains the program’s all-time leader in assists with 147. She also ranks third all-time in international goals scored across men’s and women’s soccer with 158.

Off the field, Hamm is an active philanthropist and founded the Mia Hamm Foundation in 1999, following the death of her adopted brother, Garrett, from complications related to aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for families in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant, and to the development of opportunities for young women in sports. To learn more about the Mia Hamm Foundation, click here.

Today, Hamm divides her time between foundation work, her golf game and her role as co-owner of Angel City Football Club in Los Angeles, which continues to give her a strong connection to the growth of women’s soccer.

The U.S. Girls’ Junior is the preeminent championship for girls worldwide, boasting winners such as Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee and Inbee Park, as well as Hall of Famers Mickey Wright, Amy Alcott and Hollis Stacy. The championship is for golfers who have not reached the age of 19 by the beginning of play and whose Handicap Index® does not exceed 5.4. Aphrodite Deng is the reigning champion after becoming the first Canadian to win the event last year at Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia.

Versant will provide live coverage of the semifinal and championship matches of the 2026 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.