“Growing the game”
There’s been plenty of talk about that in golf recently, although not everyone walks the walk.
Many that do, do it quietly.
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While the Masters is known for the iconic Augusta course, extremely affordable food and drink options, and roars from the patrons on Sunday, the Augusta National membership are also investing in the next wave of champions.
Perhaps their best innovation of all is the “Drive, Chip and Putt” competition.
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Everyone who loves sport has childhood memories of walking, seeing, or even playing on, the hallowed grounds of their favourite sport.
Drive, Chip and Putt is making that a reality for young kids, with a championship format that tests the skills of children within their age brackets.
Contestants must make it through local, sub-regional, and then regional qualifiers, before driving, chipping and putting in the finals at the famed Augusta National Golf Club.
Amateur Harrison Crowe, playing in his first Masters, praised the concept and is one of many who would like to see some form of it in Australia.
Rob Sharpe, who oversees the broadcast of Drive, Chip and Putt competition for NBC, says the results are there for all to see after nine years of competition.
The 2023 Masters Tournament is live on Nine and 9Now from April 7-10.
“This year alone we had six former Drive Chip and Putt National Finals participants compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“It is almost a year-round competition now with local qualifying in May, culminating with the national finals in April of 2024.
“We hear from many of the parents and participants on how big a motivating factor watching the Drive Chip and Putt National Finals on TV is. Many of the kids say they’ve watched in previous years and that motivates them to try get there.”
While Australia obviously has smaller participation numbers than the US, the concept could be brought to, or trialled at, the Australian Open or PGA tournaments.
Corporate sponsors could also be encouraged to come on board to make the event viable.
Jason Day is one golfer who has shown it’s possible make it from humble beginnings, but unearthing the next champion is always the next challenge.
Could ‘Drive, Chip and Putt’ do for golf what Auskick has done for the AFL?
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