Liberty Corner, New Jersey, United States: The United States Golf Association (USGA), Masters Tournament and PGA of America have announced that registration for the 2020-2021 Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying is officially open on DriveChipandPutt.com.

The schedule of qualifiers, set to begin this summer at hundreds of locations nationwide, was also released, including the 10 venues hosting regional qualifiers for participants who advance in the fall.

This list of iconic championship sites around the country features four new venues (Pebble Beach Golf Links, Quail Hollow Club, The Bear’s Club and TPC Scottsdale) as well as six returning venues (Alotian Club, Colorado Golf Club, Medinah Country Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, Oakmont Country Club and TPC River Highlands) that have long served as host to some of golf’s greatest moments.

Medinah, Oakmont, Oakland Hills and Pebble Beach have hosted a combined 24 US Open championships, while both Oakmont (2025) and Pebble Beach (2027) are currently slated as future championship sites. In addition, both Oakmont and Oakland Hills have hosted three PGA Championships, while Oakland Hills was also the site of the 2004 Ryder Cup. Medinah has hosted two PGA Championships and the 2012 Ryder Cup. Both Pebble Beach and Quail Hollow have hosted one PGA Championship each and Colorado Golf Club hosted the 2010 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.

Drive, Chip and Putt is a fun and free youth golf development initiative for junior golfers of all skill and ability levels, aimed at sparking a lifelong interest in the game. The initiative welcomes boys and girls, aged from seven to 15, to participate in local qualifying events in all 50 States throughout the months of May, June, July and August. Entrants will play in girls’ and boys’ divisions in four age categories, with scoring centred around golf’s three fundamental skills – driving, chipping and putting.

Top performers at the local level will advance through sub-regional and regional qualifiers in July/August and September/October, respectively. From these qualifiers, 80 finalists – 40 boys and 40 girls – will earn an invitation to compete in the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, the eve of the 2021 Masters Tournament. Qualifiers are conducted by all 41 sections of the PGA of America across the country.

“The PGA of America is proud of the great tradition that Drive, Chip and Putt has become through our long-standing partnership with both the USGA and the Masters Tournament,” said Suzy Whaley, President, PGA of America, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“Each year, Drive, Chip and Putt serves as a special opportunity for girls and boys to showcase their golf skills and their passion for the game in a fun and welcoming environment. We’re excited that PGA Professionals will help inspire the next generation to pursue a lifetime of enjoyment through the game of golf, as we host qualifying events across each of our 41 PGA Sections nationwide,” she added.

Mark Newell, USGA President, said: “It’s exciting to see Drive, Chip and Putt continue to grow the game and inspire juniors everywhere to love and play it. As a founding partner of the programme, we’re able to witness, first-hand, the level of passion that junior golfers have and to know that the future of the game is in good hands.”

Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, said: “Drive, Chip and Putt is a unique and exciting opportunity for participants of all skill levels to get started in the game. Our partnership with the USGA and PGA of America is rooted in the shared mission of engaging golf’s next generation, and each year, we are encouraged by the smiles we see as boys and girls have fun playing a game we hope they enjoy for the rest of their lives.”