Augusta, GA
Augusta National’s Drive, Chip & Putt final is one of the coolest days in golf
The Drive, Chip & Putt nationwide finals at Augusta Nationwide offers loads of memorable moments.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. — It’s arduous to have a nasty time at Augusta Nationwide — particularly when it’s your first time.
For the opponents on the Drive, Chip & Putt nationwide closing, even stepping foot on property is a thrill. There’s nothing like spending a day on these hallowed grounds. And to expertise it with childlike pleasure? It doesn’t get a lot better.
“It’s clearly heaven,” mentioned Jake Sheffield, who gained the boys 14-15 division. “This grass nearly doesn’t appear actual. It’s simply excellent. For a golfer it’s simply excellent.”
As the professionals competing within the Masters trickled by way of the gates and down Magnolia Lane Sunday morning, so too did 80 children competing within the DCP closing. You can see Bernhard Langer beating balls on the vary, flanked by a troop of 8-year-old boys grooving their swings. Or Mike Weir rolling putts on the apply inexperienced as a fleet of 10-year-old women dialed of their short-game really feel. Age is however a quantity on days like these.
As the children shuffled between the driving vary and the 18th inexperienced, Jordan Spieth frolicked beneath the huge oak tree exterior the clubhouse sporting his inexperienced jacket. Close by, little bucket-hat-clad Sammy Spieth performed within the grass. On the first tee, Scott Stallings blasted a drive down the golf green whereas keen patrons appeared on. All of the whereas, Drive, Chip & Putt opponents shuttled between the apply services and the 18th gap, stopping solely to gape at their heroes.
This scene at Augusta Nationwide is uncommon. It solely occurs every year. And, till lately, nowadays by no means occurred in any respect. The occasion was based simply 9 years in the past, and ever since, it’s allowed the celebs of tomorrow a sneak peak at competing on the grandest stage in golf. The purpose was to create a improvement competitors geared toward rising the sport. Listening to contestants communicate after the competitors, it appears we now have a mission achieved.
“Simply coming right here was surreal,” mentioned women 12-13 winner Maya Palanza Gaudin. “I’ve all the time needed to return to Augusta. It’s among the finest golf programs on this planet and that drove me to apply to attempt to play higher.”
After Maya obtained her trophy, she noticed newly-crowned Augusta Nationwide Girls’s Beginner champion Rose Zhang mingling with followers.
“Rose! I gained my age division!”
“No method! You made it a lot additional in Drive, Chip & Putt than I ever did.”
Defending Masters champ Scottie Scheffler made an look as effectively. As soon as the opponents got here off the course, Scheffler congratulated them and took footage with the wide-eyed children. Exterior the rope line, mother and father beamed with satisfaction, snapping footage on their digital cameras (no telephones, bear in mind?), saving the recollections that can final a lifetime.
Drive, Chip & Putt could be new to the Masters Week traditions, however that doesn’t make it any much less particular. Days like these are a celebration. Not solely of the arduous work it took to get right here, but in addition of the feat of getting competed on the identical grounds that Hogan and Participant and Nicklaus and Woods did.
This gained’t be the final time they get that chance, although. Subsequent time they’re right here, it might effectively be for the Masters or the ANWA. So long as this custom retains up, it should certainly encourage them to return.
