Tag: Augusta National Golf Club

Will the Masters find its way back on the 2020 calendar? Jack Nicklaus weighs in

Jack Nicklaus told ESPN that he supported Augusta’s decision to postpone the Masters, but wonders if it will be played at all in 2020.

The global nature of the Masters – for both players and fans – is not lost on six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus. From that standpoint, Augusta National Golf Club’s decision to postpone the tournament was a wise one in Nicklaus’ eyes.

In fact, Nicklaus was one of the people whom Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley spoke to before making the decision, as Nicklaus revealed when he called into ESPN’s SportsCenter on March 13.

“I talked to Fred and he had said that they debated it a long time and they felt it was the right thing to do, and I agree with him,” Nicklaus said. “I think it was the right thing to do.”

Augusta announced on March 13 that it would postpone the Masters indefinitely – along with the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals – as the world reacts to a coronavirus outbreak. The Players Championship had also been canceled, mid-tournament, by that time and so had the next four PGA Tour events leading up to the Masters.

“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread Coronavirus COVID-19 have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances,” Ridley said in a statement, adding that the club hoped it would be in position to safely host the Masters and its other amateur events “at some later date.”

Had the Masters gone on as planned, Nicklaus isn’t sure he would have gone, as he told ESPN.

The next question is whether or not the Masters can find its way back onto the 2020 calendar. Nicklaus isn’t sure if that will happen, either.

“In all practicality… they’re postponing but I can’t see any way that they would play it at a later date,” he told ESPN. “I think it’s just, how in the world could they work it into the schedule? It wouldn’t be fair to any other tournament that’s later. I think we’re probably going to miss the Masters this year, that’s just my opinion.”

It’s true that the Masters would come up against many other events already scheduled in the golf world.

After the British Open is played July 16-19, the Olympics will take place July 30-Aug. 2. The 2020 schedule ends with the Tour Championship, to be played Aug. 27-30. But this is also a Ryder Cup year, and those matches are scheduled to take place Sept. 22-27 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.

The 2020-21 wraparound PGA Tour season remains unofficial, but would likely begin in September with a tournament scheduled every week throughout the fall.

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Lynch: PGA Tour made wrong decisions for the right reasons in dealing with coronavirus crisis

The PGA Tour learned something this week at The Players Championship in dealing with a global public health crisis.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Golf is bound by traditions, by rules, by immutable expectations. We cherish sportsmanship, we play the ball as it lies, and we turn to Augusta in April. Two of those constants have been eroded — brazenly at times — and now the most immovable bulwark of them all has been breached too.

“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread Coronavirus COVID-19 have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many,” wrote Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley in a Friday (under)statement announcing the postponement of the Masters and its associated events to some unspecified future date.

Disappointing to many indeed.

To the fans, for whom the Masters represents the pinnacle of American golf and annually harkens a new season. To the young ladies who aspired to be this year’s Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. To Rory McIlroy, whose career grand slam is again a dream deferred. To the dozens of kids qualified for the Drive, Chip & Putt finals, who have learned about the hurdles life throws up that Mom can’t help them surmount.

The PGA Tour learned something this week too, albeit slowly.

The Tour began Players Championship week as it does every other, making decisions in a golf silo largely unmolested by world affairs. But days of a chaotic news cycle and alarming health alerts exposed an organization struggling to grasp a jarring new reality: it was being held to an altogether higher and unfamiliar standard, one being applied equally to sports leagues, captains of industry and heads of state.

The Tour was being asked to play its part. Not just play golf.

What we saw was a number of wrong decisions made for the right reasons. There was nothing ignoble about a desire to get one of golf’s biggest tournaments in under the wire before the world went sideways. But as events accelerated, the decision making stuttered. Playing the tournament without spectators would have seen a winner declared at TPC Sawgrass, but it would also have seen both the Tour and golf itself branded as losers. The image of disconnected, tone-deaf golfers blundering on with reckless indifference to public health would have been a future stain just as difficult to erase as those in the sport’s past.

It’s one of golf’s more predictable and dispiriting traits that peripheral vision often extends only as far as the gates of the club. For a time this week that was the case at TPC Sawgrass, but the pool of those impacted by the decision-making in Ponte Vedra Beach extended much farther afield.

The tournament was staffed with volunteers, predominantly seniors who are more at risk. Rory McIlroy expressed concern about potentially carrying the rapidly spreading virus home, where his mother suffers from a respiratory condition. International players fretted about navigating travel restrictions and the growing crises in their home countries. Yet there were the usual blithe dismissals about hysteria from those who must be fortunate enough not to have family or friends living in dread because they’re immunocompromised during treatments for cancer or the like. There were surely no shortage of people here who didn’t have the luxury of a cavalier lack of empathy.

An overabundance of caution endangers no one. A slight overreach imperiled many. It took until Thursday night, but in the end commissioner Jay Monahan made the right decision for the right reasons. For all the criticism coming his way, there should also be an acknowledgement of his willingness to reverse himself barely 10 hours after so publicly declaring a course of action.

Augusta National followed suit within hours. The PGA of America stands as the next domino, its major championship scheduled two months hence in San Francisco. The USGA watches and awaits its turn in the crucible. The LPGA outpaced all of them in taking decisive action. Golf’s five families are finally making decisions in concert with other major sports bodies.

What lies ahead is unclear, though it’s probably too much to hope that when we emerge on the other side we’ll do so with a fresh appreciation of what we have enjoyed too casually until now. It’s a weary cliche that golf is about risk and reward, a particularly well-worn banality every time we come to TPC Sawgrass. In its own bumbling, haphazard way, the golf world navigated the risk this week. Its reward is a week in Augusta, Georgia. When? File that with the other unknowns.

 

Augusta National postpones Masters until a later date due to coronavirus

On Friday morning the Masters announced it will be postponing the 2020 tournament due to the coronavirus outbreak.

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After remaining silent for more than a week, Augusta National Golf Club announced on Friday morning that the Masters, which was scheduled to begin on April 9, will be postponed indefinitely due to coronavirus fears.

“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread Coronavirus COVID-19 have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances,” Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement released to the media. “Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

“We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date.”

On March 4, Ridley released a statement reassuring fans that the Masters, along with the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, would proceed as scheduled.

“The safety, health and well-being of everyone is our top priority at Augusta National Golf Club,” Ridley said in a statement at that time. “We will continue to review the available facts and information with the experts and authorities, establish precautions and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all involved.”

But since that time, the World Health Organization classified the COVID-19 as a global pandemic on Wednesday. The NBA moved to postpone the rest of the season alongside the NHL, and MLB canceled spring training and postponed the start of the season for two weeks. The club’s decision to postpone golf’s first major of the season comes 12 hours after PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan canceled the Players Championship after one round and declared all Tour events canceled through the Valero Texas Open, which is the tournament that precedes the Masters.

“I think there’s bigger problems in the world right now than whether we play the Masters or not,” Jon Rahm said. “It’s as simple as that.”

“We recognize this decision will affect many people, including our loyal patrons,” Ridley said in his statement. “Your patience as we make every effort to communicate effectively and efficiently is appreciated, and we will share any additional information as soon as it becomes available. Updates also will be posted to our website, Masters.com.”

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Masters, ANWA still a go as Augusta National monitors coronavirus

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley issued a memorandum addressing the coronavirus and April’s events scheduled at Augusta National.

The Masters remains on schedule.

Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, said in a statement released Wednesday the club is consulting with experts concerning the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 and has determined the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on April 4, the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on April 5 and the 84th Masters beginning April 9 will go on as planned.

“The safety, health and well-being of everyone is our top priority at Augusta National Golf Club,” Ridley said in the statement. “Augusta National is not only monitoring the situation closely, but also consulting with relevant experts, including the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Georgia Department of Public Health and local authorities.

Related: Coronavirus explained

“Based upon our knowledge of the situation at this time, we are proceeding as scheduled. We will continue to review the available facts and information with the experts and authorities, establish precautions and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all involved.”

More than 93,000 cases of the coronavirus have been recorded globally; more than 3,200 have died from the disease. In the U.S., more than 130 cases have been confirmed; an 11th person died from the disease on Wednesday.

The Masters annually draws tens of thousands of spectators per day starting the Monday of the tournament.

More: Coronavirus travel ban could derail Liu family’s ANWA dream

“We are asking that everyone follow the preventative actions advised by the CDC to mitigate the spread of any virus,” Ridley continued. “In addition, we strongly encourage all those traveling to Augusta, Georgia, to become knowledgeable of the most recent travel protocols and restrictions. Regularly updated information can be found by visiting the websites of the CDC and U.S. Department of State.”

Lynch: Francesco Molinari hasn’t been the same since Rae’s Creek, but that’s water under the bridge

Francesco Molinari admits 2020 hasn’t started the way he’d like, but he’s planning to build up his game for the Masters.

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ORLANDO — Outwardly at least, the Francesco Molinari who arrived at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Tuesday was the same guy who left with the trophy a year ago. Same low-key demeanor. Same squat, college wrestler’s body. Same diligent work ethic. Only his results betray the fact that much has changed.

His victory 12 months ago, thanks to a scintillating final-round 64, was the culmination of a run of form that had seen the Italian claim the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship and the Quicken Loans National on the PGA Tour, before winning his first major at the Open Championship, fending off charges from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Then came the Masters.

At 12:47 p.m. on that Sunday afternoon last April, Molinari stood on Augusta National’s 12th tee with a two-stroke lead. In a swirling wind, his tee shot drowned in Rae’s Creek, leading to a double bogey. He finished tied for fifth, two shots back of Woods.

Since then the Italian stallion has looked more like a wheezy pack mule: 18 worldwide starts, zero top 10s and five missed cuts, including in three of his four events in 2020. A year ago he was No. 7 in the world. Today he’s ranked 26th.

He has not been the same player since that day in Georgia, raising the question of whether that one swing has lingered. “It hasn’t,” said his coach Denis Pugh. “Because if I sensed it did then I would have chatted about it with him.”

Francesco Molinari plays his third shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Pugh suggests it’s a different major last year that holds the key to Molinari’s struggles. In May’s PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, he was paired for two days with Woods and the eventual winner Brooks Koepka, after which he realized that he could not consistently summon power and accuracy in the same swing. After a lengthy break at year’s end, Molinari and his coach set about fixing that. “It’s a slow grind build-up,” Pugh said. “It’s being patient.”

Molinari echoed that sentiment. “I’m a little bit behind where I was planning to be, obviously, at this time. The start of the season has not been as good as I hoped for, but it’s only the start,” he said. “I think I’ve got some good planning for the next few weeks building up to Augusta and some good direction to work towards.”

Even as he works towards Masters ’20, Molinari finds himself still fielding numerous questions about Masters ’19. He spent ample time Tuesday discussing the vagaries of the wind at Augusta National’s perilous little 12th: “Well, if there’s no wind, you know… there’s nothing really that can stop you from hitting that green… You never know how much wind actually it’s going to get… I think it depends on the direction… If it comes from a certain direction it can funnel in the trees and then that’s when it gets really hard… It’s more the wind direction specifically on that hole that makes it tricky… Depends on the exact moment when you’re hitting the shot…”

“It’s just complicated,” he finally offered.

One thing that has helped push thoughts of that Masters mishap to the back of his mind is the coronavirus panic. Last week his older brother Edoardo withdrew from a tournament in Oman amid fears another Italian golfer he was sharing a hotel room with was symptomatic. Both were tested and given an all-clear, and were eventually reinstated in the tournament. The younger Molinari admits to initially seeing humor in the situation.

“I was laughing, actually. If you know my brother, of all people, for it to happen to him,” he said. “Joking aside, obviously being Italian it’s not a great time back home with the health situation.”

Molinari lives in London, but his parents remain at the family home in Turin, a city in northern Italy badly impacted by the virus. Schools have been closed and football games canceled. “They’re not the youngest anymore, so it’s a bit worrying from that point of view,” Molinari admitted. “I speak to them pretty much on a daily basis and they’re fine. There’s nothing too worrying at the moment.”

All of which puts his on-course form into perspective, even as he hopes to find progress at an event where he has finished in the top 10 four times in seven starts. “I try to be honest with myself. In golf it’s never too easy because there’s a part of you that always makes you think you’re close even when you’re not,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m particularly close right now. My expectations going into the next few weeks are really to build up some momentum and get better day by day and not really thinking too far ahead of myself.”

And presumably not thinking too far behind himself either.

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Augusta National land-buying spree continues, including $3.45 million for Wendy’s

A club-affiliated corporate entity recently acquired more than $6 million worth of real estate, including a Wendy’s fast-food restaurant.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Augusta National Golf Club’s footprint continues to grow.

A club-affiliated corporate entity in recent weeks has acquired more than $6 million worth of real estate, including the Wendy’s fast-food restaurant on Washington Road and several homes in the West Terrace neighborhood.

The eight properties, totaling just over three acres, will be added to the more than $200 million in west Augusta land the club has acquired during a two-decade long campaign to expand its boundaries.

The Augusta National, as a matter of longstanding policy, does not comment on its business operations.

Richmond County property records show the club’s most recent acquisitions – eight since late December – were made through Berckman Residential Properties LLC, one of several limited liability companies the club has used over the years to amass more than 100 acres on its north and west perimeters.

The largest of the purchases – $3.45 million for the nearly 1-acre Wendy’s property – gives the club ownership nearly all Washington Road frontage on the southside between the club’s western fence and the Berckmans Road-Alexander Drive intersection.

The Wendy’s property was purchased from WendPartners, a Cortland, N.Y.-based franchise group. The local franchise operator, Wendgusta, said the restaurant would continue operating as usual through the remainder of its long-term lease.

“We are aware of the purchase and that the lease has changed hands,” Wendgusta President Mike Iezzi said. “Other than that, nothing is going to change with the operation.”

Iezzi declined to disclose the expiration date of his lease, but said it was not “a near-term end.”

Based on the latest available property records, the only Washington Road frontage properties on the southside between Berckmans Road and the city water tower inside the club’s fence are the Olive Garden restaurant and the Walgreens pharmacy on Washington Road.

On the north side of Washington Road, the club acquired a 0.4-acre tract at 1085 Beverly Drive, a vacant lot formerly occupied by Padgett Business Services. The property doesn’t front Washington Road.

The remainder of the recently acquired properties were homes in the West Terrace subdivision, a residential neighborhood off Berckmans Road near the club’s southeast corner, an area where the club developed its Berckmans Place VIP hospitality complex a few years ago.

All homes in the sale except one were purchased from investment firms on Dec. 17. Para Brothers LLC and 311 West Terrace LLC – two Las Vegas-based companies headed by the same principal – sold five homes, early 1970s-era ranch-style residences that were purchased for prices ranging from $375,000 to $400,000, roughly three to six times their assessed value, depending on the property.

The Augusta National has been acquiring property outside its historic boundaries for the past two decades, primarily on its west and north sides.

The field off Berckmans Road used as free parking during the Masters Tournament was primarily a residential neighborhood that club-affiliated companies acquired parcel-by-parcel before helping the city pay for the realignment of Berckmans Road.

The club greatly expanded its property portfolio in late 2017 and early 2018 by acquiring two Washington Road shopping centers for a combined $41 million.

Land the club has purchased over the years on its northeast side is slated to become a state-of-the-art television and digital media compound that Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley called a “Global Broadcast Village” during his 2019 “State of the Masters” address.

The nearly 40-acre tract is being linked to the main club property at Gate 1 by a 120-foot tunnel being constructed under Washington Road.

The club did not return phone and email messages seeking comment on the tunnel’s completion status. A Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman would only confirm that “work in the state right of way” has been finished.

Recent Augusta National acquisitions

2738 Washington Road, Jan. 15, $3,450,000
2703 W. Terrace Drive, Dec. 23, $350,000
301 W. Terrace Court, Dec. 17, $400,000
302 W. Terrace Court, Dec. 17, $400,000
306 W. Terrace Court, Dec. 17, $375,000
309 W. Terrace Court, Dec. 17, $375,000
311 W. Terrace Court, Dec. 17, $375,000
1085 Beverly Drive, Dec. 17, $300,000

Source: Richmond County Clerk of Court

 

Tiger Woods on favorite memories from 2019 Masters, how he’s preparing for 2020

Tiger Woods detailed his favorite memories from his fifth Masters win last year and how he’s preparing for his title defense in 2020.

With so many to choose from, Tiger Woods is hard pressed to single out his favorite memory from the 2019 Masters.

Nearly acing the 16th in the final round. The last putt on Sunday. Coming from behind to win a major for the first time. The triumphant walk from the 18th to the clubhouse. Slipping on the green jacket for the fifth time.

There are so many more.

But having his two kids there – daughter Sam and son Charlie – is at the top of the list. And the plane ride back home wasn’t bad.

“Just watching them fight over the green jacket on the airplane was pretty funny,” Woods said Tuesday in a conference call. “‘I want to wear it; no, I want to wear it.’ That’s something I certainly will never forget.”

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The kids flew up from Florida the day of the final round, watched their dad plot his way around the course en route to his 15th major title, and were waiting for him just off the back of the 18th when he closed out the victory. Charlie was the first to greet Woods after he knocked in his tournament-winning two-footer and shared a big bear hug. As did Sam.

“I think what made it so special is that they saw me fail the year before at the British Open,” said Woods, who tied for sixth in the 2018 Open at Carnoustie after taking the lead into the back nine on Sunday. “So to have them experience what it feels like to be part of a major championship and watch their dad fail and not get it done, and now to be a part of it when I did get it done, I think it’s two memories that they will never forget.

“And the embraces and the hugs and the excitement, because they know how I felt and what it felt like when I lost at Carnoustie. To have the complete flip with them in less than a year, it was very fresh in their minds.”

While the memories will remain fresh in his mind for days, weeks and years to come, Woods turned his focus to his upcoming title defense last December after his successful duties as a playing captain in the Presidents Cup in Australia.

“Once that was done, my prep has been just like it usually is. It’s, what do I need to do to get ready for the Masters?” Woods said. “I’ve been fortunate to have done this now five times, and to try and have everything peak together for just an incredible week, it’s hard to do.

“It’s hard to try and get all the shots and have everything dialed in.”

Woods, however, did not disclose what route he’ll follow to get to Magnolia Lane.

He chose not to play the past two weeks since finishing last among those who made the cut in the Genesis Invitational. He bypassed the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship, citing back stiffness, and this week’s Honda Classic near his Florida home.

Last year, Woods finished in a tie for 10th in Mexico, which was one of five tournaments he played leading into the Masters. This year, he’s played twice – a tie for ninth in the Farmers Insurance Open and his last-place showing in the Genesis.

Woods, ranked No. 10 in the world, could play in next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where he’s won a record eight titles. The following week is The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, the Tour’s flagship event he’s won twice. Two weeks later is the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Two weeks later is the Masters.

In 2019, Woods played the Farmers, Genesis, Mexico Championship, The Players and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play heading to Augusta. He also was scheduled to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational but withdrew with a neck injury.

“The plan is to prepare the same way,” he said. “It worked last year, so yeah, I’ve got a blueprint for what I need to do and hopefully I can have the same feelings.”

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Tiger Woods takes stroll down memory lane with Masters Champions Dinner menu

Tiger Woods revealed his Masters Champions Dinner menu and the items pay homage to his past victories at Augusta National.

Fair warning, golf fans. This story will make you hungry.

On a conference call Tuesday morning, 2019 Masters champion Tiger Woods answered questions from the media on a wide range of topics. One question in particular? His Champions Dinner menu item for Tuesday night of Masters week.

“Being born and raised in SoCal, having fajitas and sushi was a part of my entire childhood, and I’m going back to what I had in 2006,” explained Woods, a five-time winner at Augusta National. “So we’ll have steak and chicken fajitas, and we’ll have sushi and sashimi out on the deck, and I hope the guys will enjoy it.”

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But Tiger, what about for dessert?

“I’m debating whether or not to have milkshakes as desserts because that was one of the most great memories to see Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead having milkshakes that night in ’98,” Woods remembered from his first time hosting the Champions Dinner after his 1997 title at just 22 years old.

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Drive, Chip and Putt: Registration open for 2020-21 season open

Eighty junior golfers will get the chance to compete in the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on the Sunday before Masters week.

 

Registration for the 2020-21 Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying opened on Wednesday.

Three qualifying stages in the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, organized by the USGA, the Masters Tournament and the PGA of America, lead up to the National Finals, contested on the Sunday between the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Masters Tournament at Augusta National.

Eighty junior golfers (40 girls and 40 boys) ages 7-15 who navigate local qualifying, subregionals and regionals will get the chance to compete in the National Finals.

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

Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Jennifer Kupcho signs autographs during the finals of the 2019 Drive, Chip and Putt. (Michael Madrid/USA TODAY Sports)

“Drive, Chip and Putt is a unique and exciting opportunity for participants of all skill levels to get started in the game,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. “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.”

“The PGA of America is proud of the great tradition that Drive, Chip and Putt has become through our longstanding partnership with both the USGA and the Masters Tournament,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley, PGA. “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.”

Schedule

Local qualifying (May/June/July/August)

There are 317 host sites throughout all 50 states. Three juniors from each age and gender category from each venue will advance.

Subregionals (July/August)

There 61 subregional host sites. Two juniors from each age and gender category from each venue will advance.

Regionals (September/October)

There will be ten host sites in ten regions. One junior from each age and gender category from every venue will advance. Here are the regional locations:

  • Sept. 12 – Medinah Country Club
  • Sept. 19 – The Bear’s Club
  • Sept. 19 – Oakmont Country Club
  • Sept. 20 – TPC Scottsdale
  • Sept. 20 – Colorado Golf Club
  • Sept. 20 – Pebble Beach Golf Links
  • Sept. 27 – TPC River Highlands
  • Oct. 10 – Oakland Hills Country Club
  • Oct. 10 – Alotian Club
  • TBA – Quail Hollow Club

National Finals (April 4, 2021)

There will be 80 finalists who will make it to Augusta National Golf Club.

The finals for the current seventh season of Drive, Chip and Putt will be April 5 with live coverage on Golf Channel.

Go to DriveChipandPutt.com for more information.

Meet the field for the 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Meet the 65-of-72 players who have accepted invitations to compete in the second annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

The women’s amateur golf tournament unlike any other is back for a second year, and the field is starting to take shape.

Of the 72 players invited, 65 have confirmed they will compete in the second annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur April 1-4 in Augusta, Georgia.

“It is with great excitement that we have begun the process of assembling the field for the 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.

“An invitation to this championship represents another impressive achievement for the top players in the women’s amateur game,” added Ridley. “We look forward to welcoming the field to Augusta in April and remain steadfast in our belief that this event – highlighted by these talented players – will impact and grow interest in the sport in a meaningful way.”

The event, held a week before the Masters, will feature 54 holes of stroke play with a cut to 30 players after 36 holes. The first two rounds will be played on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round Friday, April 3.

The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 4 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.

ANWA field

(As of January 21, 2020)

Hanna Alberto, Kingwood, Texas
Zoe Campos, West Hills, California
Abbey Carlson, Lake Mary, Florida
Hailee Cooper, Montgomery, Texas
Allisen Corpuz, Honolulu, Hawaii
Amanda Doherty, Atlanta, Georgia
Caterina Don, Turin, Italy
Isabella Fierro, Merida, Mexico
Karen Fredgaard, Asserbo, Denmark
Annabell Fuller, London, England
Mariel Galdiano, Pearl City, Hawaii
Megha Ganne, Holmdel, New Jersey
Sofia Garcia, Asuncion, Paraguay
Amelia Garvey, Christchurch, New Zealand
Allyson Geer-Park, Brighton, Michigan
Linn Grant, Helsingborg, Sweden
Lauren Hartlage, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Rachel Heck, Memphis, Tennessee
Paris Hilinski, La Quinta, California
Emilee Hoffman, Sacramento, California
Isabella Holpfer, Olbendorf, Austria
Yu-Chiang Hou, Chinese Taipei
Yu-Sang Hou, Chinese Taipei
Lily May Humphreys, Sudbury, England
Julia Johnson, St. Gabriel, Louisiana
Tsubasa Kajitani, Okayana, Japan
Gurleen Kaur, Houston, Texas
Auston Kim, St. Augustine, Florida
Gina Kim, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Grace Kim, New South Wales, Australia
Paula Kirner, Lorsch, Germany
Ingrid Lindblad, Halmstad, Sweden
Siyun Liu, Shanghai, China
Clarisse Louis, Brussels, Belgium
Candice Mahe, Gourin, France
Lucie Malchirand, Carnoux, France
Olivia Mehaffey, Banbridge, Northern Ireland
Alexa Melton, Covina, California
Emilia Migliaccio, Raleigh, North Carolina
Michaela Morard, Hunstville, Alabama
Benedetta Moresco, Caldogno, Italy
Malia Nam, Kailua, Hawaii
Brianna Navarrosa, San Diego, California
Alessia Nobilio, Milan, Italy
Tristyn Nowlin, Richmond, Kentucky
Emilie Paltinieri, Milan, Italy
Alexa Pano, Lake Worth, Florida
Pimnipa Panthong, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Brooke Riley, Manteca, California
Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Carqueiranne, France
Amanda Sambach, Davidson, North Carolina
Megan Schofill, Monticello, Florida
Aneka Seumanutafa, Emmitsburg, Maryland
Erica Shepherd, Greenwood, Indiana
Ellie Slama, Salem, Oregon
Emma Spitz, Goellersdorf, Austria
Natalie Srinivasan, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Maja Stark, Abbekas, Sweden
Karoline Stormo, Tvedestrand, Norway
Kaleigh Telfer, Kyalami, South Africa
Emily Toy, Cornwall, England
Isobel Wardle, Alderley Edge, England
Kenzie Wright, McKinney, Texas
Chia Yen Wu, Chinese Taipei
Agustina Zeballos, Buenos Aires, Argentina