For local junior golfers, the rarely open road to Augusta National begins this July at one of three Long Island golf courses. Standing between the young golfer in your life and the Nantz-adored azaleas of Augusta are hundreds of juniors across Long Island and the Northeast, with the best invited to compete at the famous club next spring.
Qualifying rounds for the 2017 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, a youth golf event made possible by the United States Golf Association, the PGA of America and the Masters Tournament, will tee off in all 50 states starting this May, giving boys and girls from age 7 to 15 the opportunity to compete for a spot in the finals at Augusta on the eve of the 2017 Masters. Local Long Island qualifiers will be held in July at Harbor Links in Port Washington, Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park and the private Colonial Springs Golf Club in Farmingdale.
The top performers at local qualifiers will advance to a sub-regional competition at Bethpage State Park on August 18. Regional competitions to determine the final 80 juniors who will advance to Augusta have yet to be announced.
Participation in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is free. Players accumulate points for performance in driving, chipping and putting challenges. Registration for the 2016 qualifiers will open on Tuesday, January 26.
Complete competition rules, eligibility requirements and scoring outlines are available at the Drive, Chip and Putt website.