Teenage Golfer Is Headed To Regionals, Representing Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ —Junior golfer Sohan Madane made Long Valley history by qualifying for the Augusta National Golf Club by winning a "Drive, Chip & Putt" event at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in late August.

After finishing second in the Boys 12-13 division in the sub-regional qualifier, Madane became the first Long Valley junior golfer to qualify.

Madane is one of two boys in his age group who will represent New Jersey at the regional, which will be held on Sept. 17, 2022, at TPC Boston. Only one person will be chosen from this group to compete in the national event in Augusta, Georgia, in 2023.

Participants in these events take three shots per skill, with points accruing for each skill up to 75 points per skill. Madane finished second with a total of 135, earning 50 points for driving, 45 points for chipping, and 40 points for putting.

Madane attends Long Valley Middle School, where he is currently a seventh grader. "He is hoping that could make his school and Long Valley proud," Bindya Madane said.

The Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship, founded in 2013 by the Masters' Tournament, the United States Golf Association, and The PGA of America, is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills used in golf.

The championship, which taps into the creative and competitive spirit of girls and boys ages 7-15, gives aspiring junior golfers the opportunity to compete against their peers in qualifiers across the country.

Following his victory, Madane will compete in the Regional event on Sept. 17 at TPC Boston, and if he finishes first in his age bracket, he will advance to the National.

"The overall champion in each age group at regionals advances to the National Finals, which take place the Sunday before next year’s Masters Tournament in Augusta 2023," Madane said.