Sub-regional qualifying event to be held at Reunion Resort; Nicklaus Range on 8/16/2014.
Orlando, FL – After an incredibly successful inaugural year of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association (USGA) and the PGA of America have announced its expansion into all 50 states.
Approximately 17,000 youngsters had opportunities to qualify in the first year, which began with local qualifying at courses throughout the country and continued with regional qualifying. The winners from the boys and girls divisions in each of the four age divisions earned a trip to Augusta National Golf Club, site of the Masters Tournament
Participants in the 2014 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will again advance through local and regional qualifiers conducted throughout the United States. Competitors will be comprised of boys and girls ages 7-15, who will compete in separate divisions in four age categories. The regional champions in each of the boys’ and girls’ divisions from the four age categories will advance to the finals, to be held at Augusta National the Sunday before the Masters, April 5, 2015.
The Sub-Regional qualifying event will take place on Sat. 8/16/2014 at Reunion Resort; Nicklaus Range and the top two qualifiers in each age and gender group advance to the regional qualifying event at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA on Sept. 16, 2014. There are four age groups for both boys and girls – 7-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15.
“It was amazing to be on-site at Augusta National and see the faces of the 88 participants and everyone involved in coordinating the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship,” said Ted Bishop, President of The PGA of America. “Our PGA Professionals will continue to play a vital role in administering the local and regional events and we are looking forward to again working alongside the Masters and the USGA.”
After the sub-regional qualifier, the 16 qualifiers will be one step closer to Augusta National!
For more information about the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, including official rules, qualifying sites or to register, please visit www.DriveChipandPutt.com.
About the Masters Tournament
The Masters Tournament Foundation, inspired by the enduring philosophies of Masters Tournament founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, is committed to promoting golf’s domestic and international development through financial investment and active participation in initiatives aimed at preserving the traditions of the game and sharing its many virtues.
The Masters Tournament – since its very beginning – strives to provide added exposure to the game of golf and inspire interest in the sport worldwide. For more information about the Masters, visit www.masters.com.
About the PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, the PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, the PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As the PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact Details
North Florida PGA
Steve Morris
smorris@pgahq.com
386-256-1221
FACT SHEET
ELIGIBILITY
1. The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is open to boys and girls ages 7-15. Boys and girls compete in separate divisions in four age categories: 7-9 years old; 10-11 years old; 12-13 years old; and 14-15 years old. Participants will be grouped based on their age as of the National Finals on Sunday, April 5, 2015.
2. Participants may register to compete in only one local qualifier.
3. All competitors must conform to the USGA Rules of Amateur Status.
4. Only golf clubs on the most current USGA List of Conforming Clubs may be used in the competition.
ENTRIES
1. For local qualifying, parents/guardians must complete an online entry application on behalf of participants at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship website, www.DriveChipandPutt.com.
2. Entries will be limited to 200 participants per local qualifying site and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Entries must be received no later than 5 p.m. on the date five (5) days prior to the local qualifier.
4. There is no entry fee for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship.
SCHEDULE OF COMPETITION
1. The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will be conducted in four stages:
a. Local qualifying – 256 qualifying events will be conducted in May, June and July at courses throughout all 50 States.
b. Sub-Regional qualifying – 50 qualifying events to be conducted in August in 32 States.
c. Regional qualifying – 10 qualifying events to be conducted in September in 10 States.
d. Championship final – To be conducted Sunday, April 5, 2015, at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.
2. All participants must begin the competition at the local qualifying level.
3. From local qualifying, the three top point earners in each of the boys’ and girls’ division’s from the four age brackets will advance to the sub-regional qualifying level of the competition.
4. The sub-regional competition is a new competition with no carryover from the local competition. The top two performers in each of the boys’ and girls’ division’s from the four age categories will advance to the regional qualifiers.
5. The regional competition is a new competition with no carryover from the sub-regional competition. The top performer in each of the boys’ and girls’ division’s from the four age categories will advance to the National Finals to be held the Sunday before the Masters Tournament (April 5, 2015).
6. The National Finals will take place at Augusta National Golf Club. The National Finals is a new competition with no carryover from the regional competition.
7. The National Finals will be produced and broadcasted by Golf Channel.
SCORING / COMPETING
1. Each participant will compete in all three skills (Drive, Chip & Putt). An individual rules sheet for each skill competition is available on the championship website, www.DriveChipandPutt.com.
2. Participants will accumulate points in each skill. The participant with the highest number of accumulated points will be declared the overall champion of their age category.
Contact:
