Drive, Chip & Putt Championship Registration Now Open

AUGUSTA, Ga. –The Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association (USGA) and the PGA of America today announced that qualifying registration is now officially open on the event’s website, www.DriveChipandPutt.com.

This free nationwide youth golf development initiative is open to boys and girls ages 7-15, competing in separate divisions in four age categories. In its third edition, the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will open qualifying locations throughout all 50 states during the months of May, June, July and August. Top performers at the local level will advance through sub-regional and regional qualifiers in July/August and September, respectively. The top 80 performers – 40 boys and 40 girls – will earn an invitation to the National Finals at Augusta National on Sunday, April 3, the eve of the 2016 Masters.

“PGA Professionals in each of our 41 PGA Sections are committed to growing the game and making a positive impact on the lives of youth throughout the country,” said PGA of America President Derek Sprague. “We believe the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will continue to play an integral role in encouraging more youngsters to experience a game they can enjoy for a lifetime.” “Our vision for Drive, Chip and Putt is to inspire a new generation to choose golf as a recreational sport,” said Tom O’Toole Jr., president of the USGA. “By focusing on the three essential skills that build confidence, we’re showing boys and girls that it’s fun for everyone to learn, to discover and celebrate success. We hope to foster that feeling of achievement, knowing it connects golfers of all ages to a global community.”

“We believe the incentive to ultimately qualify for a trip to Augusta National will motivate kids to take part in this wonderful program and take another step toward making golf a game of a lifetime,” said Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. “Based on the smiles we continue to see from the participants, and the outpouring of support and encouragement we hear from countless people who share our love for the game, I am completely confident this program will continue to improve, expand and inspire.”

The breakdown of the 2016 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship qualifying schedule is as follows: 

• Local (May/June/July/August): 255 host sites spread throughout all 50 states 3 juniors advance in each age/gender category from every venue
• Sub-Regional (July/August): 50 host sites spread throughout 45 states 2 juniors advance in each age/gender category from every venue
• Regional (September): 10 host sites in 10 defined regions 1 junior advances in each age/gender category from every venue
• National Finals (April 3, 2016): 80 total participants at Augusta National Golf Club

The current second season of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship will conclude on the eve of the upcoming Masters Tournament, with 80 junior golfers representing 30 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces competing at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5. Golf Channel will broadcast the event live.

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.
2. Participants will be grouped based on their age as of the National Finals on Sunday, April 3, 2016. Participants will be grouped based on their age as of the National Finals Sunday, April 3, 2016. Participants must be at least 7 years of age on Sunday, April 3, 2016, and may not be older than 15 years of age on Sunday, April 3, 2016. Please note: a player may participate in local, sub-regional and regional qualifying if he/she is 6 years old provided that he/she turn 7 years old prior to April 3, 2016. A 15-year-old who will turn 16 years of age prior to April 3, 2016, is not eligible to participate.
3. Participants may register to compete in only one local qualifier.
4. All competitors must conform to the USGA Rules of Amateur Status.
5. The player’s clubs and golf balls must conform with the Rules of Golf and the provisions, interpretations and specifications set forth in Appendices II (for golf clubs) and III (for golf balls).

ENTRIES 

1. For local qualifying, parents/guardians must complete an online entry application – available starting January 22 – on behalf of participants at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship website,www.DriveChipandPutt.com.
2. Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be received no later than 5 p.m. EDT on the date five (5) days prior to the local qualifier.
3. 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. Click here for a full schedule:
   • Local qualifying – 255 qualifying events will be conducted in May, June, July and August at courses throughout 50 States.
   • Sub-Regional qualifying – 50 qualifying events to be conducted in July and August in 45 States.
   • Regional qualifying – 10 qualifying events to be conducted in September in 10 States.
   • Championship final – To be conducted Sunday, April 3, 2016, 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 overall point earners in each of the boys and girls divisions 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 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 from the four age categories will advance to the National Finals to be held the Sunday before the Masters Tournament (April 3, 2016).
6. The National Finals will take place at Augusta National Golf Club and be staged on its Tournament Practice Facility (Driving / Chipping) and 18th green (Putting). The National Finals is a new competition with no carryover from the regional competition.
7. The National Finals will be produced and broadcasted on national television.

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/rules.
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.