Local qualifying opportunities nearly triple in the second year of youth golf development initiative
The Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association (USGA) and The PGA of America have announced that local qualifying registration is now open on the event's website, (www.drivechipandputt.com), for young golfers hoping to earn an invitation to next year's National Finals.
Results from the recently-completed National Finals can be found at www.drivechipandputt.com under 'Scores.' Competitors from the Northwest finished well, with two finishing second and two finishing third with three individual skill winners. The photo shows the winners (photo courtesy Drive, Chip & Putt).
Open to girls and boys ages 7-15, this exciting program has been expanded for next year to 256 Local Qualifying sites in all 50 states. Here in the Pacific Northwest, there will be 13 Local Qualifiers in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Montana. Each of the Local Qualifying sites will accept 200 participants, 25 in each age/gender division. The event is free to all participants.
This youth golf development initiative will again include boys and girls ages 7-15 who will compete in separate divisions in four age categories. In only its second year, the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship will nearly triple the number of local qualifying spots, expanding to more than 50,000 playing opportunities at 256 host sites throughout all 50 states during the months of May, June and July. Top performers at the local level will advance through sub-regional and regional qualifiers in August and September, respectively. The top 80 performers - 40 boys and 40 girls - will earn an invitation to the National Finals at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, the eve of the 2015 Masters.
The breakdown and schedule of Drive, Chip & Putt Championship qualifying is as follows:
Local (May/June/July): More than 50,000 total participants; 256 host sites
3 juniors advance in each age/gender category from every venue
Sub-Regional (August): More than 6,000 total participants; 50 host sites
2 juniors advance in each age/gender category from every venue
Regional (September): 800 total participants; 10 host sites
1 junior advances in each age/gender category from every venue
National Finals (April 5, 2015): 80 total participants at Augusta National Golf Club
Additionally, golf fans wishing to attend next year's National Finals can now request a ticket application. Tickets to the 2015 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals will again be sold in advance, by random selection, and only after receipt of an online application. Applications will be emailed in September 2014.
For more information about the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship, including official rules, a full listing of local qualifying sites, ticket information and to register, please visit www.drivechipandputt.com.
| Anchorage | Anchorage GC | June 23, 2014 |
| Missoula | Canyon River GC | July 24, 2014 |
| Eugene | Emerald Valley GC | July 14, 2014 |
| Hillsboro | Meriwether National | July 15, 2014 |
| Portland | Heron Lakes GC | June 04, 2014 |
| Woodburn | OGA Golf Course | July 01, 2014 |
| Bellingham | Lake Padden GC | June 17, 2014 |
| DuPont | The Home Course | July 28, 2014 |
| Kent | Meridian Valley CC | June 26, 2014 |
| Richland | Pasco Golfland | July 02, 2014 |
| Snoqualmie | Mount Si GC | June 22, 2014 |
| Spokane | The Creek at Qualchan | July 13, 2014 |
| Tacoma | Meadow Park GC | June 25, 2014 |