The Big Break's Don Donatello is one of a number of interesting golf stories expected to unfold at the first U.S. Putting Tour National Championship, taking place September 26 - October 2 at The Crossings in Carlsbad, California.
While Donatello is trying to work the USPT Championship into his fall west coast schedule, which includes playing golf and caddying, other golfers already are entered in the putting tournament have equally intriguing stories.
Victor Rodriquez is a 16-year-old golfer from Beaumont, California, who competes professionally in hopes of one day making the PGA TOUR. Rodriguez is competing in the REMAX World Long Drive Championship this year, as well as the U.S. Putting Tour Championship. He has recorded a drive of 385 yards in competition.
Ken Norton is known as Mr. 365 because he recently completed a year in which he played at least one 18 hole round of golf on 365 consecutive days. He accomplished this feat in response to a promotion staged by a San Diego-based golf course management company that offered five years of free golf at its courses to anyone who could play every day for a year on its courses. Norton was the only person to complete the challenge.
Jeremy Poincenot is a young man who tragically lost his vision three years ago, but continues to compete at golf and play other sports. With the help of his father who caddies for him, Jeremy won the IBGA World Blind Golf Championship in 2010. He will defend his title later this month before turning his attention to the USPT
putting championship in late September.
Jim Hartley, president of the
putting tournament, said he expects golfers from the Nationwide Tour to compete as well. "The nearby Soboba Golf Classic wraps up the day before the USPT Championship starts," said Hartley. "So we hope to see some Nationwide Tour players enter our event."
The U.S. Putting Tour's national championship is open to all golfers who are at least 13 years old as of September 26, 2011, including amateurs and professionals. Men and women will compete together for cash and merchandise prizes and the title of America's Best Putter.
Golfers can learn more about the putting championship and enter at
www.USPuttingTour.com.
