By Fred Altvater
The normally staid and quiet atmosphere of Augusta National will be disrupted for two weeks in April. In addition to the annual awarding of the Green Jacket to the Masters champion, Augusta National will be hosting the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, as well as, the National Finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition.
Competitors in the Boys ages 12-13 group arrive at the tee box for the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 2, 2017.
The National Finals of Drive, Chip & Putt are a joint initiative between the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America. It features both girls and boys ages 7-15, who have qualified through competition in local, sub-regional and regional qualifying to earn a place in the finals at Augusta National.
The inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur will include the top amateur women golfers from around the world. The first two rounds will be held at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday, April 3-4. All 72 participants will play a practice round at Augusta National on Friday. The top 30 women and ties, after the first two rounds will compete for the title on Saturday, April 6, with NBC providing television coverage.
The lone invitee to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur from Ohio, Leavittsburg’s Haylee Harford, is currently a senior at Furman University and ranked in the top 50 women amateurs in the country.
On Wednesday afternoon the course shuts down even to the pros, while the traditional Par 3 contest is held on the short course. The Par 3 Tournament is always a favorite of the thousands of Patrons that flock to watch former Masters Champions, as well as, many of the current players take part in the annual event.
The first major championship of the year will finally begin on Thursday, with the early morning tee shots hit by the legends of the game and honorary starters, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. The question being, will anyone join them on the first tee early Thursday morning.
New Augusta National Chairman, Fred Ridley will also give the annual state of Augusta National press conference on Wednesday. Several new projects are underway at the iconic course. Currently a new underpass is being constructed that will allow patrons attending the tournament to traverse Washington Street via a tunnel rather than waiting to cross the congested intersection.
On Sunday evening, near sundown, the whole golf world will be watching as a new Masters Champion accepts his Green Jacket from last year’s champion, Patrick Reed.
