Junior golfers compete in qualifier
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle
From left to right are Elkins area junior golfers Collin Pitzer, Valentina Aguilar and Rush Golden.
ELKINS -- Three Elkins area junior golfers participated in the National Drive, Chip and Putt Competition Local Qualifier held last Friday at the Parkersburg Country Club.
All three participants, who could now be eligible for the next sub-regional qualifier, are currently involved in the John Ballantyne Junior Golf Program at the Elkins Elks Golf Course.
In the girls age 7-9 category, Valentina Aguilar, 8, qualified in first place. She is positioned to participate in the sub-regional qualifier at Nemacolin Woodlands on Aug. 11. If Aguilar is one of the top two qualifiers in that group, she will advance to the Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.
In the boys 7-9 division, Rush Golden, 7, placed fifth and is the second alternate to continue at Nemacolin Woodlands.
In the boys 12-13 category, Collin Pitzer, 12, placed fourth and is the first alternate to continue at Nemacolin Woodlands.
Participants compete in three disciplines of Drive, Chip and Putt. Driving distance is measured but must be in the fairway to qualify. The chipping and putting are judged on proximity to the hole after their shots.
All three participants have been working this summer with volunteer instructors Ray Cost, Mark House, Mary Snelson and Robin Mams. There are approximately 20 youth that have participated in the program this summer.
The area sponsors for the program include the Elks Lodge 1135, Snowshoe Foundation, Randolph County Commission, Elkins Lions Club, Tygarts Valley Lions, Kiwanis Club of Elkins, Reckart Logistics, Woodford Oil Company, Elks Ladies Golf League, Holly Riley, Dr. Frank Mams, Mark House and Jill and Jay Dailer.
A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and the PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf.
Participants who advance through local, sub-regional and regional qualifying in each age/gender category earn a place in the National Finals, which is conducted at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and broadcast live by the Golf Channel.
For more information, visit the Rules and Regulations, Drive, Chip and Putt.