It’s that time of year again, when boys and girls, aged 7-15, from all over the country try to earn a spot in the Drive, Chip & Putt competition, so they can take their parents on a dream trip to Augusta National.
80 kids did just that and made it to the Finals from the local, sub-regional and regional competitions that were held throughout the summer.
Local qualifying was held throughout May, June and July, at more than 260 sites around the country. The top-three scorers at each location advanced to 50 sub-regional competitions held in July and August at some of the most iconic golf clubs in the nation. Two qualifiers from each Boys and Girls age group earned the right to compete in the Regionals. Only the top finisher in each age/gender division moved on to the Finals.
The local, sub-regional and regional qualifiers were conducted by the 41 Sections of the PGA of America, with PGA Professionals administering each competition. The Finals will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel Sunday, April 1st prior to the start of Masters week.
In the Ohio Regional held at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Jami Morris, who has only been playing golf for three years won the Girls 14-15 division and will compete in Augusta.
She said,
“I just love everything about golf, and to be able to go to Augusta is like a dream come true.”
Jackson Harris tied the boys’ highest score in the chipping competition to win the 10-11 division and punch his ticket for Augusta.
“It makes it way more fun to play a lot of different courses [during qualifying]. And now I get to go to the coolest golf course in the world. It’s the best place you can be as a golfer.”
Also at the Muirfield Village regional, Ellie Benson from Pennsylvania will be joining Morris and Harris at Augusta, as she won the Girls 7-9 Division. Georgia Bosart from Clarkston, Michigan won the Girls 10-11 and Alison Cui from Lansing, Michigan won the 12-13 age group.
In the Boys Division, Brady Barnum, from Dublin, Ohio, won the 7-9 Division, P.J. Maybank from Cheboygan, Michigan won the 12-13 Division and Josh Lavely from Kewadin, Michigan was the 14-15 age Division winner.
The Drive, Chip & Putt competition was founded by the Augusta National Golf Club, the USGA and the PGA of America. It has been a huge success for junior golf around the country. Junior golfers learn the value of practice to improve and compete against the best junior golfers from around the country on the best golf venues in the nation.
Congratulations to all who competed at the local, sub-regional, and regional levels this year.
For a complete list of the qualifiers that will be competing in the finals at Augusta National visit: https://www.drivechipandputt.com/article/drive-chip-and-putt-regional-champions-earn-invitations-to-national-finals-at-augusta-national-golf-club-1
