Youngsters from as far away as Ft. Lauderdale traveled to Bobby Jones Golf Club last weekend to participate in the nationwide inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. The new event was quite successful and exceeded expectations with more than 100 boys and girls ages 7-15 demonstrating their driving, chipping and putting skills.
The top two boys and girls from each age category now advance to the regional qualifying round in Orlando with an opportunity to compete in the finale at Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament.
“The City recognizes the importance of youth in our community, which made this inaugural event significant,” said PGA Head Professional Christian Martin. “Plus, there’s an important historical association between Bobby Jones Golf Club and Augusta National in that Bobby Jones was the founding member of Augusta. So, the pairing for this Drive, Chip and Putt event for kids was perfect.”
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A total of 117 young golfers participated at Bobby Jones. The regional qualifiers are:
Girls 7-9
Delaney Robertson Ft. Lauderdale Champion
Hadley Robertson Ft. Lauderdale Runner-up
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Boys 7-9
Marquez Angeles Arcadia Champion
Joey Winter Sarasota Runner-up
Girls 10-11
Jordan Golden Bradenton Champion
Alaina Johnston Ft. Myers Runner-up
Boys 10-11
Jonah Leach Windermere Champion
Braden Macey Bradenton Runner-up
Girls 12-13
Kali Plattner Sarasota Champion
Megan Pagen Naples Runner-up
Boys 12-13
Peyton Robertson Ft. Lauderdale Champion
Marc Kaneko-Fujii Rotonda West Runner-up
Girls 14-15
Haley Danford Longwood Champion
Amanda Gartrell Lakeland Runner-up
Boys 14-15
Shane Reynolds Ft. Myers Champion
Jeff Dexter, Jr. Arcadia Runner-up
Participants accumulated points with each skill: driving, chipping and putting. Three shots were taken per skill with a potential total of 25 points per shot. The top two overall point earners in each of the boys and girls age divisions now advance to the regional qualifying round. Ultimately, the champion from each division will win a free trip to play in the finals at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 6, 2014 just prior to the Masters. Drive, Chip and Putt is sponsored by the Masters Tournament Foundation, PGA and USGA.
Bobby Jones Golf Club was one of just ten courses in the region to be selected for this fun, competitive youth program. The golf club, located at 1000 Circus Boulevard, is owned and operated by the City of Sarasota and offers three courses with a total of 45-holes. For more information visit www.BobbyJonesGolfClub.com or contact Christian Martin, Bobby Jones Golf Club Assistant Manager: 941-365-2200 ext. 5801.
