The Growth and Impact of Drive, Chip and Putt

By Vartan Kupelian

The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship competition is what happens when purpose, devotion and effort converge.

A movement is created that embraces people and places, and amplifies the outcome. That’s the DCP. In three short years, it has become a signature initiative in introducing young people to golf.

To say it has been a remarkable achievement is putting it mildly. To say it has resonated among the young people touched by DCP and in the process energized adults, local courses and national organizations is equally in tune with the reality.

The 2016 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals will be held Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club. For boys and girls, ages 7-15, it is fun, free – and riveting in its appeal. It is also a memory from their youth that won’t easily be forgotten. The joint effort of the United States Golf Association (USGA), Masters Tournament and the PGA of America, the DCP has soared in the consciousness of golfers and golf facilities throughout the country.

“Every single week, I run into these 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 12-year-old kids and their eyes are as big as apples and they are talking about the Drive, Chip and Putt,” said Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee. “It doesn't stop all year long. It's done nothing but brought great attention to that aspect of the game, and I think increased the interest and competitive desire of the budding superstars out there.”

The overall winners of the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals (from left to right): Jay Leng Jr., Jake Peacock, Toby Wilson, Lydia Swan, Morgan Goldstein, Alexandra Swayne, George Duangmanee and Effie Perakis.

The overall winners from left to right; Jake Peacock, Jay Leng Jr., Toby Wilson, Lydia Swan, Morgan Goldstein, Effie Perakis, Alexandra Swayne, and George Duangmanee pose with their trophies during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Rusty Jarrett/Rusty Jarrett/Augusta National

Ariana Saenz (Girls 14-15 division) hits a drive during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Ariana Saenz hits her drive attempt during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Hunter Martin/Hunter Martin/Augusta National

Abbey Daniel (Girls 14-15 division) hits a drive during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Abbey Daniel, in the 14-15 Girls group, drives during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Scott K. Brown/Scott K. Brown/Augusta National

Chance Rincol (Boys 7-9 division) gives a high five to Logan Medcalf during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Chance Rincol in the Boys 7-9 group gives a high five to Logan Medcalf during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Charles Laberge/Charles Laberge/Augusta National

Abhay Gupta, Satchel Pierce and Avery Lazarski (Boys 10-11 division) ride to the course prior to the start of the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Abhay Gupta, Satchel Pierce and Avery Lazarski in the 10-11 Boys group ride to the course prior to the start of the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Chris Trotman/Chris Trotman/Augusta National

Megha Ganne (Girls 10-11 division) lines up her chip during the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Megha Ganne in the 10-11 Girls Group lines up her chip attempt during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Charles Laberge/Charles Laberge/Augusta National

Dongsoo Lee (Boys 12-13 division) reacts after a chip during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Dongsoo Lee reacts after chipping during the12-13 Boys group competition in the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Charles Laberge/Charles Laberge/Augusta National

Christine Wang (Girls 12-13 division) looks over the morning newspaper with her parents at her hotel prior to the start of the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Christine Wang in the 12-13 Girls group looks over the morning paper with her parents at her hotel prior to the start of the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Chris Trotman/Chris Trotman/Augusta National

Lydia Swan (Girls 10-11 division) gets a hug from her dad Mike Swan after putting during the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Lydia Swan in the 10-11 Girls group gets a hug from her dad Mike Swan after putting during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Sam Greenwood/Sam Greenwood/Augusta National

The leader board frames Jordan Jurmu (Boys 12-13 division) as he reacts after his putt on No. 18 during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

The leader board frames Jordan Jurmu as he reacts after his putt on No. 18 during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Hunter Martin/Hunter Martin/Augusta National

Patrons watch the chipping competition during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Patrons watch the chipping competition during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Hunter Martin/Hunter Martin/Augusta National

Isaiah Swan (Boys 10-11 division) is greeted after his putt attempt during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Isaiah Swan in the 10-11 Boys Group is greeted after his putt attempt during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Sam Greenwood/Sam Greenwood/Augusta National

Effie Perakis, the overall winner of the Girls 7-9 division, celebrates during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Girls 7-9 overall winner Effie Perks celebrates during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Sam Greenwood/Sam Greenwood/Augusta National

Matt Camel (Boys 14-15 division) greets fellow competitor Everett Whiten Jr. during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Matt Camel in the 14-15 Boys Group greets fellow competitor Everett Whiten Jr. during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Scott K. Brown/Scott K. Brown/Augusta National

Everett Whiten Jr. (Boys 14-15 division) reacts after a putt during the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Everett Whiten Jr. in the 14-15 Boys Group reacts after a putt attempt during the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Sam Greenwood/Sam Greenwood/Augusta National

Overall winners from the 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. Back (left to right): Morgan Goldstein, George Duangmanee, Alexandra Swayne, Toby Wilson. Front (left to righ): Effie Perakis, Jay Leng, Jr., Lydia Swan, Jake Peacock.

Overall winners, from back left, Morgan Goldstein, George Duangmanee, Alexandra Swayne, Toby Wilson, front row, Effie Perakis, Jay Leng, Jr., Lydia Swan and Jake Peacock answer questions during an interview after the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship at Augusta National on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Hunter Martin/Hunter Martin/Augusta National

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In its first year, Drive, Chip and Putt was relatively modest in scope by design. Today, it is in all 50 states with competition through May, June, July and August. Boys and girls compete across separate divisions in four age categories, with scoring centered around golf’s three fundamental skills – driving, chipping and putting. Top performers at the local level advance through sub-regional and regional qualifiers in July, August and September.

Eighty finalists – 40 boys and 40 girls – are invited to the National Finals at Augusta National to compete on the Sunday before the Masters Tournament. Sunday’s field includes players from 30 states and Canada. Seven players return from either 2014 or 2015 and 64 of the 80 are first-time visitors to Augusta National.

What happens on Sunday is endearing and triumphant.

“The joy of success on a child’s face after making a great chip shot or sinking a 12-foot putt is why the USGA is actively engaged in this program,” said Tom O’Toole Jr., president of the USGA. “We know success leads to confidence, and confidence leads to a lifelong love of our game.”

The joy isn’t limited to the young golfers. It is widespread, as witnessed by the participation as presenters of past Masters winners, including Adam Scott and Bubba Watson, and a full range of golf dignitaries.

“When you see Adam Scott, you see Bubba Watson go out on the range and not being asked to go out there, just to go out there to see these kids and these kids turn around and see them, I think this was huge,” said Chris DiMarco, runner-up to Tiger Woods at the 2005 Masters.

“That part of it made it exactly the perfect kind of script for the future and for what it's going to be. Now I know guys look forward to it. They get there on Sunday so they can go out and see these kids and cheer them on and congratulate them. Having children that have played golf, it really is an unbelievable thing they are doing and they should be applauded for the efforts they are making. It is opening up doors, and even bringing more people or kids to the game than we've ever seen before.”

Of course, the backdrop for the DCP National Finals is symbolic. It doesn’t get better than Augusta National.

“I give Augusta National all the credit in the world for being proactive in putting something together,” said Notah Begay III, a Native American who played in the Masters three times.

“It's not only served the community but I think it's worked out even better than anybody had anticipated in terms of reaching into all these communities across the United States and getting these kids excited and interested and getting to see one of the most magnificent venues and places that the world has to offer as far as sports is concerned. It's going to change these kids' lives.”

Derek Sprague, president of the PGA of America, echoed the theme of opening doors to golf.

“Drive, Chip and Putt is for every kid, everywhere and every ability to have the opportunity to follow their dream,” Sprague said. “We have seen tremendous growth.”

Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters, perfectly summarized the Club’s involvement as host at last year’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. His sentiments are worth remembering.

“I think it's our charge simply because this is ‘follow the leader’ around here, and the leaders were Bob Jones and Clifford Roberts,” Payne said. “What they embraced more than anything else was their duty and obligation to give back to the game, and so we feel that same mandate. As long as we have the resources to do it, we're going to try to do it as best we can.”

Gates open Sunday, April 3, at 7 a.m. and Golf Channel's live coverage of the National Finals begins at 9 a.m. For more information about the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, including the official rules, a full listing of qualifying sites and registration information, visit www.DriveChipandPutt.com.