Augusta National cancels 2020 Drive, Chip and Putt
Aadi Parmar in the Boys 10 - 11 age group reacts after his putts on No. 18 during the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 7, 2019. Picture: Augusta National GC
Augusta National has cancelled the 2020 Drive, Chip and Putt and announced that this year’s qualifiers can play on April 4 next year instead.
In a move that some may interpret as a forerunner to a similar announcement regarding the 2020 Masters Tournament, the club announced the news today.
On March 13, it was announced that the 2020 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals had been postponed due to the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19. After thoughtful deliberation, and with the guidance of public health experts, the Founding Partners have provided the following update:
The 2020-21 Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying season, set to begin May 2, will be cancelled, given the continued effect of COVID-19 on scheduling during the time period critical to the success of local qualifying. Ultimately, the Founding Partners determined cancellation was the most responsible measure to take in protecting the health of everyone involved in this national endeavour, which includes tens of thousands of participants, their families and all those essential to staging hundreds of qualifying events across all 50 states.
This year’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals originally scheduled for April 5, 2020, will be rescheduled for April 4, 2021, the eve of the Masters Tournament. Each National Finalist will be invited to compete at Augusta National Golf Club in the same age division for which he or she previously qualified in 2020, regardless of their age on that date. Purchasers of Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals tickets will be sent a refund in May and guaranteed the opportunity to purchase tickets for the National Finals next year.
Alexandra Phung in the Girls 7 - 9 age group attempts a putt during the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 7, 2019. Picture: Augusta National GC
“As deeply disappointing as it is for us to make this very difficult decision, it’s clearly the right thing to do for all involved,” said Stu Francis, president of the USGA. “We look forward to seeing everyone play golf again, especially these juniors whose talent, joy and drive to compete inspire all of us.”
“We share in the disappointment of all those who were anticipating the start of Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifying, as well as this year’s National Finalists, who worked so hard to prepare for this April,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. “These decisions protect the health and well-being of the program’s many important constituents and were made independently from our Masters Tournament rescheduling efforts. With no qualifying this summer, we are pleased to maintain this wonderful tradition by welcoming these 80 boys and girls to Augusta National next April.”
“We feel tremendous empathy for the girls and boys across America who will not be able to participate in Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying events throughout our PGA Sections this year,” said Suzy Whaley, president of the PGA of America. “However, in the interest of everyone’s health and safety during this unprecedented time, the difficult decision to cancel the qualifying season is the one and only choice that can be made. We are grateful that this year’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalists will have a special opportunity to compete at Augusta National next year. These outstanding junior golfers deserve to follow their dreams, which they worked so hard to achieve, and we all look forward to cheering them on.”
Registration for the next year’s qualifying season is expected to open early 2021. For more information on Drive, Chip and Putt and future updates, please visit DriveChipandPutt.com.
