Top U.S. junior golfers from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Michigan were crowned national champions at the Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip and Putt National Championships presented by the Golf Channel at Celebration Golf Club in Osceola County recently.
Gene Garrote, general manager of Celebration Golf Club, said 84 of the nation’s top junior golfers competed in the tournament, which is slated to air as part of an hour-long national championships highlight show hosted by Adam Barr on the Golf Channel Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
“Participants qualified for the tournament by placing among the top three in their age groups in 81 local qualifiers around the country and by placing first at one of 21 regional championships this year,” said Garrote.
Felipe Quiroga, 13, of Orlando, finished third in his age group for the second year in a row, Garrote said.
Swartz Creek, Mich. junior golfer Michael Clark, 14, Gastonia, N.C.’s Patrick Wiggins, age 9, Kyle Sterbinsky, 11, of Yardley, Pa., and 12-year old Lonnie Smith of Bellaire, Texas took national championship titles in their age divisions at the tournament.
The world’s largest junior golf skills competition, the Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip & Putt program provides a free, fun and friendly opportunity for junior golfers to compete, develop and test their golf skills.