These Capital Region Brothers Will Make History at Golf’s Mecca

We're one week away from tee-off at golf's marquee event: The Masters.

The best and brightest PGA Tour golfers will compete for four days on one of America's most pristine, but most difficult, golf courses. They'll make birdies, they'll make bogeys, and they'll make memories, but only one will prevail with their signature green jacket.

Though the event itself begins on Thursday, the week leading up to the Masters is full of events for golfers of every age group. One such event, is the Drive, Chip and Putt Championships, taking place on Sunday, April 3rd.

In that event, you'll see a couple of local names taking part, two of whom even share a last name. Capital Region sports fans, meet the LaTorre brothers, the first pair of brothers to compete in the competition. Ever.

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Meet Tanner and Mason LaTorre, of Nassau, New York

Hailing from Nassau, New York in Rensselaer County, Tanner (age 12) and Mason (age 9) LaTorre are both golfers, and have competed in events related to the Central New York PGA program. As asserted by Pete Dougherty in his article on the boys for The Times Union, the elder brother was the No. 1 varsity golfer on Ichabod Crane's high school team this year, despite being in seventh grade.

While he is considered the more "serious golfer" of the two boys, both are still undoubtedly a threat to win at Augusta this year.

Competitors in the area had to pass through three levels of qualification in order to become a finalist, with the third (regional) level taking place at TPC River Highlands Golf Course in Cromwell, CT. This level took place in September of 2021.

In the Boys 7-9 category, Mason was one of 12 golfers who advances to the regional in Cromwell. LaTorre scored 125 total points between the three events, five more than the second-best competitor, in order to earn the spot in the national final. Tanner, meanwhile, competed in the Boys 12-13 division, and won with a total of 145 points, seven points better than second place. Tanner also competed against 11 other players.

Also joining the brothers in Augusta, will be Brayden Dock of Queensbury, who won a Section II individual title in golf this year as a sophomore at Glens Falls High School. Dock won his boys 14-15 division with 167 total points.

About the Drive, Chip and Putt Competition

Founded in 2013, the Drive, Chip and Putt Competition is organized by The Masters and the PGA as a free tournament to promote the sport of golf among the youth of America.

Competitors compete in the three categories mentioned in the name, and are given three swings per type of shot, for a total of nine. Their shots are scored based on levels of "scoring rings" placed around a target, in the shape of a bullseye. The closer you get to the target, the more points you score, with the winner advancing to each subsequent level.

The final level takes place on Sunday, April 3rd at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Live coverage of the event begins at 8AM on Golf Channel. So, make sure you tune in, because Capital Region golf fans will have a bit more to cheer for this year.