(March 30, 2023) – Reid Meyers was one good drive away from qualifying for the 2023 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals. Meyers, a nine-year-old from Berlin, sent his final drive into the air and right away he knew it would be close. If the drive stayed in bounds he would be heading to Augusta National Golf Club, if the ball flew out of bounds then he would see his journey end at the sub-regionals for a third straight year.
When the ball landed Meyers thought it was out. However, after two officials came over to look at the balls final resting spot it was determined the ball was in bounds and with it came a ticket to the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals that will take place this Sunday, April 2.
“The last stage (of qualifying was) at TPC Boston,” said Reid who will be the first player to represent Connecticut at the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals. “After my first two drives went straight down the middle I was like, ‘okay you just have to hit this one straight down the middle one more time let’s do it.’ Then I hit my drive and I thought it was out and I thought, ‘oh no I’m done for if it is out.’ Then they said no it is in and I thought that is a miracle.”
Those who have watched Reid, a fourth grader at Mary E. Griswold Elementary School in Berlin, know it is far from a miracle that the shot stayed in and that he is on his way to Augusta National GC. Reid started swinging plastic clubs when he was 2 years old, by the time he was 3 he had metal clubs in his hands, and shortly after that at the age of 4 he was competing in tournaments. His first win would come two short years later in a U.S. Kids Golf event.
The success at a young age for Meyers is a result of hard work and dedication to improving his game. Reid spends countless hours practicing alongside his 13-year-old brother Brennan, much of that time is spent at their home club, Timberlin Golf Course.
“The relationship between them has really allowed Reid to grow and be invested and get better (at golf) because he always wants to beat big bro,” said their father Chris the athletic director at Newington High School. “It is a pretty cool dynamic. Brennan has had some pretty cool golf experiences as well so that has kind of allowed Reid to get exposed to some of the cooler opportunities that golf has to offer.”
Most notably Brennan has been a member of the Connecticut PGA Junior League Championship team each of the last four years.
“When Reid accomplishes something Brennan is super excited for him but I think it gives him a little drive. I think the same with Reid,” continued Chris. “But a key concept of it is that (they both) have fun with it.”
That fun and love for the game are fostered by Timberlin GC head professional Marc Bayram. It isn’t uncommon for Bayram to find the Meyers out on the course or on the putting green watching and offering tips and suggestions when needed.
“Marc always helps me on the green and on the driving range,” Reid said. “He will just walk out of the (pro shop) and he will be like, ‘alright Reid let’s see this putt.’ Then if I do something wrong he will say, ‘okay do this you are going to make it all the time.’ Then I do his suggestion and it always works.”
Those tips and suggestions will travel with Reid and his entire family – Chris, Brennan, and mom Sarah – when they make the trip to Augusta National GC for a trip of a lifetime. The weekend starts with some practice time on Friday followed by more practice time and a dinner on Saturday. Competition day, Sunday, April 2, will begin with a breakfast before the main event, which will be televised on GOLF Channel and Peacock, is held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The following day the family will receive tickets to the Monday practice round of the Masters.
“One of the golfers we will have to find is Tony Finau,” Chris said. “We saw him last year at the PGA Junior League Championship.”
Picking up the story from his dad Reid said I asked Finau, “‘are you going to be at the Masters this year?’ And he said, ‘yeah I’m going to be at Augusta,’ and I said I’m going to be there too. And Tony said, ‘I’ll see you there.’”
Not only will Tony Finau see Reid at Augusta National GC but so will the entire Timberlin GC and greater Berlin community. Following, his qualification for the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals Bayram presented Reid with his own green jacket, a jacket that not only makes Reid smile, but the entire Berlin and Connecticut golf community as well.
“This achievement by Reid is incredible,” Bayram said. “Getting through three stages of qualifying against some of the best players his age is a tough task, especially in Drive, Chip & Putt. You only get nine shots total and you have to be sharp in all areas. Timberlin GC has a family atmosphere and everyone who plays there has no question seen Reid practicing and working hard on his game. He is always doing it with a smile and most of the time he is having friendly competitions with his friends and brother. This is big for Berlin and our small community will all be watching him on TV the week of the Masters.”
Not only will Berlin be watching but so will the entire Connecticut golf community and hoping that Reid can hit it far, chip it close, putt it true – but most importantly hoping that Reid and the entire Meyers family have fun soaking up everything this amazing experience has to offer.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
