Drive, Chip and Putt 2017 Sign-up Opens Jan 26

Drive, Chip and Putt 2017 Contest registration begins next week, but what would happen if the USGA added adult categories?

The registration for the 2017 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, that’s for the week before the 2017 Masters, not this year, begins next week. Tuesday, January 26th is the day when on-line registration opens at www.DriveChipandPutt.com

There is no charge to enter Drive, Chip and Putt. Participating golf clubs and courses are donating their facilities and staff for the events.

The event will kick-off nationally with Local Qualifying at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, home of The Players Championship on Sunday, May 8th, the day before The Players begins.

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This is a truly inspired event for junior golfers, and whoever thought of it is a genius, but the organizers are missing the biggest point. Think people! All of you out there in grow-the-game land. This is not just great for kids. It could also be great for adults. Where is the Drive, Chip and Putt for ages and gender categories 35 and up? Say 35-44. 45-54, 55-64, 65+ for both men and women. The only exception should be that any one who has ever been a professional should not be allowed to enter because it would be an all-pro final. They are just too good, compared to the rest of us.

In fact, if the USGA, the Masters, and the PGA of America wanted to supersize growing the game, there would be no faster way than to hold a similar Drive, Chip and Putt Finals event prior to the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship for adults in age-segmented categories.

If the Masters decided to host it every third year, rotating with the U.S. Open and PGA, it’s hard to imagine how many rounds of golf would be played and how many golf lessons would be booked across the country.

However, as it stands, it’s juniors only.

Junior golfers who want to qualify should review the local qualifying sites which are in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. In all there are 256 local qualifying locations with competitions staged between May and August, depending on location. Courses and clubs are available on the event website.