On Sunday, April 6th, the first National Drive, Chip and Putt Championship for 88 boys and girls was held on the hallowed rounds of Augusta National Golf Club. More than 17,000 youngsters from 19 states and the District of Columbia had participated in the qualifying process. The 88 boys and girls who made it through qualifying represented four age groups, 7-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15.
These kids are good
The skills competition was pressure packed with crowds and media surrounding the DCP venues. It was amazing to see the levels of skill at such young ages. In the 14-15 division was a 14-year-old girl with a +2 handicap, and a 14-year-old boy with a +3 handicap.
Most of the youngsters voiced that they were somewhat nervous, but the fun and excitement of playing at Augusta National overrode the feeling of anxiety. They had been encouraged by their parents to have fun, stay positive, and to enjoy the experience. As each one performed, their poise, technique, discipline and positive mental attitude was evident.
They used imagery for pressure situations
The Augusta practice facility was where the driving competition was held. The contestants each hit two drives to a 30-yard wide fairway.
Then they went to the chipping green for two chips, scoring points for closeness to the hole.
The putting competition involved two putts, one from 6 feet and a fast breaking downhill putt from 30-feet. Kelly Xu was the winner in the 7-9 division for girls. In preparation for putting on 13+ slick greens, she said she visualized putting on glass greens beforehand.
The final skills challenge was a putt on the 18th green from about 20 feet. The winner in the 10-11 division was 11-year-old Leo Cheng who drained his putt from the same spot where Adam Scott made birdie in last year’s Masters. Cheng said, “I just had a vision of Adam Scott making that putt.”
Words of wisdom from the children
The winners in each division were presented with a trophy. They were then escorted into the press center where they were asked questions, just like Scott and Watson and O’Meara had been after they had won at Augusta. They responded:
What club do you like best? “The one I have in my hands.”
What do you like best about playing golf? “The difference, creating each new shot.”
I saw the line. I knew it was going to go in. (30 footer)
It felt good. (standing over the downhill 15-foot putt needed to win)
I don’t get nervous. I take everything as it comes.
I don’t know what to expect so I am just trying to stay calm.
I was just excited to embrace the competition.
The experience was just so perfect.
Poise, gratitude and a good mental attitude made for success
First winner of the day, 9-year-old Kelly Xu said, “I feel like I am really, really happy. I had a lot of fun today. All the other girls did really well today and I am really thankful for my friends and family and for their support and everything they have done.”
Kelly said she watched the Bobby Jones’ movie, “Stroke of Genius” many, many times. “From the movie, I learned that it takes patience to play golf. You win some. You lose some. You can’t expect to win them all. If you practice a lot and don’t get angry, you just have to make mistakes sometimes. It takes mistakes to learn,” she said.
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