Madelyn Dickerson’s chip hit the quick putting surface, checked on the second bounce, and spun to less than two feet from the cup. She was 9 years old.
To her right, Levi Swanson took two quick practice swings, stepped behind the ball, and then sent it soaring 235 yards down Augusta National’s driving range. He was 13.
On the 18th green, surrounded by patrons and with the fabled clubhouse as a backdrop, Simon White studied a 15-footer from every conceivable angle.
It was a slick, curling putt, and as it arced its way into the hole, the Colorado Springs teenager fist-pumped in celebration. He was 14.
At the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals, the skill on show from people so young was absolutely remarkable in 2024.
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For 2025, local qualifying generally took place in all 50 states in May, June and July. Subregional qualifying was held in July and August at about 60 sites, and regional qualifying was held at 10 sites in September and October.
It’s a free youth development programme that’s open to boys and girls in four age categories – ranging from 7 to 15 (7-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15)
Only the top finisher from each regional qualifier in each of the boys and girls divisions from the four age brackets advance to the National Finals at Augusta.
At Augusta National, they’re put to the test in three areas. They have two drives to record a longest yardage that remains in bounds.
They then chip twice, and the culminative distance from the hole is recorded. Finally, they take on a putt from around 15 and 30 feet and the overall distance from the hole is taken down and added together.
There is a winner in each age group for each discipline, and overall winners of each age division.
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“Our mission is for Drive, Chip and Putt to encourage very participant to continue their personal journey in the game,” said Masters chairman Fred Ridley in 2024, along with USGA president Fred Perpall and PGA of America President John Lindert.
Augusta National Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals:
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“You should be proud of what you have accomplished,” Ridley told the competitors at the closing ceremony last year. “You are now in the company of all the game’s legends who have competed at Augusta National.
“We hope you will cherish your memories for the rest of your lives. But today was about much more than competition.
“It was about celebrating your love for the game of golf and the joy that it brings to all of us. Thank you for the inspiration you provided to everyone watching here and around the world.”
If this is the future of golf, the game looks very good indeed.
That these youngsters can perform in the way they do, defying nerves and the watching public, is worthy of all our applause.
Below are the winners of 2025…
Drive, Chip & Putt National Final Winners
Girls 14-15: Abigail Henriksen
Boys 14-15: Anthony Wu
Girls 12-13: Alexandra Pung
Boys 12-13: Hudson Justus
Girls 10-11: Bella Simoes
Boys 10-11: Dawson Dial
Girls 7-9: Ellie Kim
Boys 7-9: Joshua Hooper
Now have your say
Do you enjoy the Augusta National Drive, Chip and Putt? Did you catch any of the TV coverage? Let me know your thoughts with a comment on X.
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