On the eve of the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, not only the competitors had some butterflies.
Ryan Helminen has played in the PGA Championship three times (2014-16), so he knows about competing at a high level. But this experience – being with daughter Aliisa, a participant in the Girls 7-9 division – is different.
“I’m way more nervous for this than for any of my stuff,” said Helminen, PGA of America professional at Ridgeway Country Club in Neenah, Wis. “This is just great, for the kids and the families. It's wonderful to see kids take a liking to a sport that you’ve been playing for a lifetime.”
Anticipation was the order of the evening at a welcome reception for the 80 finalists and their parents in downtown Augusta Saturday.
“If she gets nervous, you get a little nervous,” said Robert Bosart, whose daughter, Georgia, is in the Girls 10-11 competition. “If she gets excited, you get a little excited. It started to seem real when we saw the sign for Augusta on Interstate 20.”
Whether they have traveled from near or far after advancing through Regional events, the golfers and their families enjoyed dinner after posing for a group photograph with defending Masters champion Sergio Garcia by the Savannah River.
The participants listened to remarks from USGA President Mark Newell, PGA of America President Paul Levy and Augusta National and Masters Chairman Fred Ridley.
“Remember that winning is important,” Newell said, “but the essence of golf is even more about being honest and playing the game in the right way and in the right spirit … The greatness of the game truly does bring out the best in all of us.”
Levy asked the young people to give a round of applause to their parents for their support and noted how Drive, Chip and Putt has inspired “a whole generation of golfers.”
Ridley, the 1975 U.S. Amateur champion, recalled being a young golfer and wondering where the game would take him. “In every case, yours and mine, golf is the sport where all of us are winners, the only sport that guarantees success regardless of score … It’s because golf teaches character, teaches self-discipline and more importantly, golf gives us so many wonderful friends.”
Although Cassie Kennon lives with her family in a golf haven, Bandon, Ore., where father Armando is a caddie at Bandon Dunes, coming to Augusta National to compete in the Girls 10-11 had exceeded expectations so far for her and her family.
"It’s just wonderful that Augusta has opened its doors to let these kids see what a lot of people don't get to see. I think it’s just awesome."
-Nancy Lopez
“She’s super excited, and we all are,” said Cassie’s mother, Jeana. “It’s a little bit surreal being here. Cassie’s tried to make it here since she was old enough to try, and it’s wonderful to be here. Augusta is beautiful, and to be here on Masters week is incredible.”
World Golf Hall of Fame members Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam were on hand to lend their support.
“We didn’t have this opportunity when I was a kid,” Lopez said. “It’s got to be so exciting for them and special. It’s just wonderful that Augusta has opened its doors to let these kids see what a lot of people don't get to see. I think it’s just awesome. To see them compete and control their emotions and learn how to be good sports is fun to see.”
For the National Finalists, the challenge would be channeling the excitement in the right direction when it is time to compete Sunday morning.
“I want to keep calm and not focused on everybody around me,” said Ellie Benson, looking ahead to being in the Girls 7-9 division. “I need to focus on what I’ll be trying to do.”
