Drive, Chip, Putt finals air today
I hope you got to see all or part of the Drive, Chip and Putt finals this morning on the Golf Channel.
If you’re not familiar with the event, it’s a competition involving youngsters ages 7 through 15 doing the things in the name: driving, chipping and putting.
The kids advance through local and sectional qualifying in an attempt to get to the finals, which are held on the Sunday of Masters week at Augusta National Golf Club.
I had the pleasure of covering the regional qualifier last September at Oakmont Country Club on a day that was windy, rainy and cool, but the enthusiasm, outright joy and amazing budding talent of the youngsters was a brilliant ray of sunshine.
This event, the product of a collaboration the Masters, the United States Golf Association and the PGA of America has grown so much in its infancy that additional qualifiers have been added and registration for next year’s competition began a couple months before this year’s finals.
What has been interesting to see is how a small group of players — mostly former Masters champions like Mark O’Meara, Ben Crenshaw and Bubba Watson — have become involved in the event, talking with the kids, encouraging them and presenting them with trophies.
All in all, the DCP has become one of golf’s great feel-good stories. Especially among the youngest of them, the looks of wonderment on their faces when they realize they’re going to Augusta National is priceless.
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If you’re old enough to have watched the 1986 Masters, you remember 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus shooting a final-round 65 and back-nine 30 to become the oldest Masters champion. It was Nicklaus’ 18th and final major championship.
There’s probably a lot you’ve forgotten, too. Tune in to the Golf Channel Tuesday at 9 p.m. for an hour special they’re doing on that special Masters.
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You’ve no doubt you’ve been waiting breathlessly for my choice this week in the Masters.
I’m convinced trying to pick a winner in a golf tournament has the same degree of difficulty as herding cats. But, I’m going to give it a shot anyway.
We have Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler in that made-by-the-media Big Four. Then there are the two head cases, Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson.
So how is a fella supposed to make out of that group? Well, for me, I eliminate Watson (yes, a two-time Masters winner) and Johnson (a serial choker on Sundays in majors). I’m just not feeling those two.
Moving on to the Big Four. It’s my humble opinion that Fowler does not belong in the discussion because he just hasn’t proven to be tough enough when things get really difficult in the majors. Yes, I know he won the Players Championship last year under tremendous stress, but that’s not the same as a major.
So we’re down to Spieth, McIlroy and Day. I was all set to make Spieth my pick in all four majors, but his play is not quite where I’m sure he’d like, although he could find that before teeing it up Thursday.
McIlroy continues to be inconsistent and after his collapse of a few years ago, I think he needs to be playing really well going into the Masters.
That leaves me with Day and I hardly view him as a consolation prize. The Aussie has been strong, mentally and physically, and he’s had success at Augusta National. A few years ago he was in the lead on the 16th but couldn’t close the deal.
I like Jason Day a lot this week.
Looking for a darkhorse pick? How about South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel? Anybody who can close the final round in the Masters with six straight birdies needs to be given some consideration.
Whatever happens and whoever wins, this is sure to be a great week for golf fans all over the world. My longstanding complaint about the Masters is that we don’t get to see enough of it. Sitting around all day, waiting for 3 o’clock and the start of the broadcast to begin is far too punitive!
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If you have an interesting story about your club or course or an individual who has done something special, let me know. Send your story ideas to mike.dudurich@gmail.com.