Qualifying to compete at Augusta National Golf Club is the dream of every golfer, and that dream has come true for 10-year-old Eloise Fetzer of Daniel Island. The fifth grader at Daniel Island School is one of 80 junior golfers who will compete April 6, the Sunday before the Masters, in the finals of Drive, Chip and Putt. The event will be broadcast live on The Golf Channel.
This isn't her first trip to the National Finals. She qualified in 2023 and competed in the Girls 7-9 age group, finishing seventh. She will compete in the Girls 10-11 age group next month.
The Fetzers moved from Chicago to Daniel Island last June, and Eloise has been active in both U.S. Kids and South Carolina Junior Golf Association tournaments.
"I've had a club in my hand for a very long time. I started playing in tournaments when I was 7. Oh yeah, I'm really excited. Now, I know what to expect," Eloise said.
The junior golfers must advance through three stages of competitions to get to Augusta. Eloise was one of three who made it through the local level, held at Wescott Golf Club in North Charleston. She was one of two in her age group to make it through the sub-regional at Fort Jackson in Columbia. And she was the top scorer in the regional finals held at The Golf Club of Tennessee in Nashville.
The young golfers are treated royally at Augusta National Golf Club. Masters Chairman Fred Ridley hosts a gala for the golfers and their parents on Saturday night. On Sunday morning they enter through Magnolia Lane.
In the Drive portion of the competition, players hit two drives in a 40-yard fairway with the longest counting for their score. Chipping is from 10 to 15 yards and is scored based on closest to the hole. Putting, which takes place on Augusta National's 18th green with the same hole location that will be used in the final round of the Masters, is done from 15 and 30 feet.
Battle of the Bars
The Battle of the Bars Charleston Charity Golf Scramble will be played March 31 at Summerville Country Club. The The beneficiary of this year's Charleston tournament will be the Stand Up and Play Foundation, which offers a pair of free monthly clinics called the HERO Programs which are held on Saturday mornings from 8:30-11 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Wescott Golf Club. On the second Saturday of each month, Stand Up and Play Foundation offers the HERO Clinic for disabled Veterans, Emergency Responders, their families, Gold-Star Families, and Families of the Fallen at Wescott from 8:30-11 a.m. Contact Rich O'Brien at richobriendgolf@gmail.com.
Another ace for Bright
Mike Bright's Feb. 5 hole in one at Bulls Bay Golf Club was the 23rd for the former PGA Tour professional.
Aces
Mike Bright, Feb. 5, Bulls Bay Golf Club, No. 12, 132 yards, 8-iron. Witnesses: Connor Bright, Randy Glover, Joe Olin.
Glenn Cocchiola, Feb. 12, Crooked Oaks-Seabrook Island Club, No. 13, 137 yards, 9-iron. Witnesses: Mike Thorne, Paul Gilbert, John Carpenter.
Chris Graff, Feb. 13, Plantation Course at Edisto, No. 12, 118 yards, 9-iron. Witnesses: Teresa Graff, Dean Habhegg.
Cory Kelly, Feb. 15, Burn Kill-Wescott Golf Club, No. 8, 121 yards, 9-iron.
Joseph E. Schenk, Feb. 15, Summerville Country Club, No. 6, 122 yards, 52-degree wedge. Witnesses: Joe Schenk, Daniel Schenk.
John Cagle, Feb. 22, Bulls Bay Golf Club, No. 17, 128 yards, 8-iron. Witnesses: Randy Glover, Joe Padgette, Bill Wilson, Bobby Wilson.
Sue Carpenter, Feb. 25, Crooked Oaks-Seabrook Island Club, No. 16, 102 yards, 11-wood. Witnesses: Christine Iaconis, Kim Jeffery, Anne Durney.
A hole-in-one should be reported by the golf course. Please email aces to braswellsports@hotmail.com and to sportsdesk@postandcourier.com.