The old golf saying of Drive For Dough, Putt For Show will take on a new meaning starting next year when the U.S. Putting Tour enables golf courses around the country to run USPT-sanctioned club putting championships.
Golfers who win their club putting championship will become eligible for the U.S. Putting Tour's annual national championship. Club professionals who host a club putting championship will qualify for the Pro Division of the USPT Championship.
"It's an annual ritual for every men's club and ladies' club to hold a club championship," said U.S. Putting Tour president, Jim Hartley. "Now, every golf course in America can add a club putting championship to its list of important tournaments."
Unlike club championships, which has a men's and ladies' champion, there will be one overall club
putting champion at each golf course. Winners will receive an official U.S. Putting Tour Club Putting Champion medal and will be listed on the U.S. Putting Tour website.
PGA professionals who qualify for the USPT Championship will compete for a significant prize purse, which will increase as more clubs sign up to participate in the club putting championships.
Hartley said he expects close to 1,000 golf courses to participate in the 2012 program and more courses to sign on each year thereafter. The National Golf Foundation reports that there are 15,890 golf facilities in the U.S. as of January 1, 2011.
The first annual USPT Championship is being held in late September at The Crossings, the newest golf course in Carlsbad, California. All golfers, including professionals and amateurs, can enter the 2011 USPT Championship directly. Golfers can enter the
putting tournament online at the USPT website.
