Fourth grade golfer prepares to compete at Augusta
Michael qualified for the finals of the competition in September, during a regional competition in Columbus, Ohio, where he was the only one in his 7-9 age group to advance.
April 5, 2019
This weekend, Whitehall Elementary fourth-grader Michael Quallich will do something that millions of adult golfers only dream about: He will play at Augusta National golf course.
Michael will be at the Georgia course, one of the most prestigious in the world, to participate in the Drive, Chip, and Putt competition. It is the golf equivalent of youth football’s Punt, Pass and Kick program.
Michael qualified for the finals of the competition in September, during a regional competition in Columbus, Ohio, where he was the only one in his 7-9 age group to advance.
Quallich has practiced at Mt. Lebanon Golf Course, Cool Springs, and the Baldwin golf room to prepare for the competition.
Michael’s father, Justin Quallich, knows that his son is prepared for Augusta.
“Due to the many helping hands of Coach (Steve) Sinning, members of the golf team, the use of Wallace and the heated bays at Cool Springs, Mike has been able to practice literally every day for the last two and a half months. He could not be more ready,” Justin Quallich said.
Michael has been named WTAE’s athlete of the week, and his segment will air on tonight’s 5 p.m. news. The Drive, Chip and Putt competition is televised live on The Golf Channel and Michael’s age group is scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Sinning said.
Since qualifying in September, Michael has spent his free time practicing for the competition.
“Michael has spent hundreds of hours practicing for Augusta. Michael’s work ethic and dedication is something we can all learn from,” Sinning said.
