Nine-year-old Coleman Long of Benton is on his way to the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier which takes place on September 9 at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.
Coleman’s journey to the Regional Qualifier began on June 30 at the local qualifier at Paxton Park Golf Course in Paducah. Competing in the boys 7-9 age division, Coleman placed second with an exciting chip-in and he automatically advanced to the subregional qualifier at Oxmoor Country Club in Louisville.
In Louisville, Coleman again placed second in his division, this time with a very long putt he dropped in that helped secure his automatic trip to the Regional Qualifier.
On September 9, Coleman will attempt to follow in the footsteps of former Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalists from Marshall County, Jay Nimmo and Trinity Beth. Nimmo made two trips to Drive, Chip and Putt Nationals in 2016 and 2018 and Beth competed at Augusta National Golf Club in 2018.
Drive, Chip and Putt is open to boys and girls ages 7-15 that compete in separate divisions in four age categories: 7-9 years old, 10-11 years old, 12-13 years old and 14-15 years old.
Each participant competes in all three skills (Drive, Chip and Putt) and attempts three shots per skill, accumulating points per shot in all three. The champion in each skill competition is determined by the participate with the most points accumulated. The overall champion is determined by most points accumulated in all three skills.
The Champion in each age division on September 9 in Columbus, Ohio will advance to the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club and compete on Sunday, April 7, 2024 on live television before the start of the Masters Tournament.
Coleman is a student at Benton Elementary and is a member of Benton Golf and Country Club. He is the son of Kyle and Kelly Long.
