JGA PRESS RELEASE:
Andrew Reyes, 8, of Mickleton, N.J. won the Middle Atlantic Regional Qualifier of the Drive, Chip and Putt Competition for the Boys 7-9 division on August 26, 2013. The qualifier took place at the River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls, Va. Andrew earned 90 of his total 112 points with some masterful chipping and putting, which included sinking a 15-footer and holing out one of his chips. With his first place finish, Andrew became one of 11 boys nation-wide in his age division to earn a much-coveted spot to compete in the Inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship being held at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2014.
Andrew’s journey began with the Middle Atlantic Local Qualifier at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C. on July 13, 2013. He took first place in his age division with an overall 92 and was one of two boys to advance to the regional qualifier.
A joint endeavor between the Masters Tournament Foundation, the United States Golf Association, and The PGA of America, the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free, nationwide junior skills competition created to promote interest and participation in the game of golf. 88 regional winners from the four boys and girls age categories will have the truly unique opportunity to compete in the Championship to be held at the Augusta National Golf Club on the Sunday of Masters week. The driving and chipping portions of the event will be held at the Tournament Practice Facility, while the putting event will be held on the 18th green. The Championship will be broadcast by the Golf Channel.
Andrew began showing an interest in golf at the age of 3. From early on, he displayed patience and attentiveness not usually seen in children his age. Eventually he started to join his father Freddy at the driving range, and it wasn’t long before he caught the eye of local junior golf instructor John Petronis of the JGA Golf Academy at Harbor Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. Andrew started to take formal instruction around the age of 5, and soon joined several local junior tours in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area. Andrew has competed in over 35 tournaments, to include the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships, and is a two-time U.S. Kids Golf Philadelphia Tour Boys Player of the Year. His home course is The Springhaven Club in Wallingford, Pa, although he also splits his time between Pitman Golf Course in Sewell, N.J. and Harbor Pines. When Andrew is not golfing, he enjoys playing baseball, swimming, and spending time with his parents and little brother.