If you’ve watched the Masters the last two years – we seriously hope you’ve watched the Masters the last two years – you probably noticed that there was another competition going on right before the tournament that included a lot of kids, who also happened to be really good at golf.
The Drive, Chip & Putt Championship is for golfers aged 7- 15. The Sunday before the Masters, the top junior golfers -- 40 boys, 40 girls -- compete in three categories: driving, chipping, and putting.
Though the field is already set for this year’s competition, qualifying date have just been released for the 2017 event.
The first qualifying date is Sunday, May 8, at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Verda Beach, Fla. That event kicks off a full summer of Local Qualifying across all 50 states, with 256 host sites. From each of the host sites, three players in each age and gender category move on to the next round.
The second round, Sub-Regional Qualifying, takes place in July and August. There are 50 sites in 31 states. Two players in each age and gender category move on from each venue to Regional Qualifying.
That happens in September. There are only 10 sites, and just one player from each age and gender category will make it to the Championship final.
The final is hosted at Augusta National Golf Club on April 2, 2017.
Good luck to all the junior golfers teeing it up!
The best of Golf Digest delivered daily
Sign UpWill be used in accordance with our PRIVACY POLICY