AUGUSTA, Ga. — Michael Bruce will be honored by proud citizens of his hometown of Fort Fairfield Thursday, April 6, 2017 at a reception beginning at 5 p.m. at the Fort Fairfield Elementary School.
The 9-year-old has just returned from an expenses-paid trip to the national Drive, Chip and Putt Finals, held at Augusta National, the home of The Masters golf tournament.
Bruce placed third in the putting category in the 7-9 age group and was 10th overall in the competition held April 2 and broadcast live on the Golf Channel.
He made it through three rounds of qualifiers in order to reach the National Finals. He placed first in his division at the local qualifier held at Val Halla Golf and Recreation Center in Cumberland in May of 2016 and second in the subregional held two months later at Rennaisance in Haverhill, Mass.
Then came the regional at the Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Mass. in September, where Bruce finished first to clinch his trip to the National Finals.
The experience over the weekend included a “champions dinner” on April 1, a party following the competition and the opportunity to watch a Masters practice round April 3.
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free, nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. It is a joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and the PGA of America.
Michael is the son of James and Melissa Bruce of Fort Fairfield. A fourth-grade student at Fort Fairfield Elementary School, he was recently recognized by the Fort Fairfield Athletic Boosters Club during an assembly at the high school and was presented numerous gifts.
Young Bruce said he wants to be a professional golfer when he grows up and realizes when it comes to the sport, hard work pays off. He said he enjoys playing the game because it’s challenging and fun. He also participates in martial arts and is a green belt in karate.
