Youth golfer qualifies for national event

A family legacy runs deep for local teen golfer Anna Bell as she prepares to compete against some of the top youth golfers in the country.

Earlier this year, Bell edged out the competition in the girl’s 12-13 division by one stroke for a total of 116 to qualify for the 2023 Drive, Chip and Putt golf Nationals.

The Drive, Chip and Putt is a nationwide youth golf development initiative for boys and girls ages 7-15, designed to inspire a new generation to choose golf as a lifetime pursuit.

Bell will compete against nine other participants from across the county at one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the world: the Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament, considered the grandest of all events on the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tour.

“It feels really great to qualify,” Bell said. “I’m just excited to go and ready to compete against the other participants.”

After picking up the game at age two, Bell will compete in her first major golf tournament on Sunday, April 2 at Augusta. With several older siblings who have played at the collegiate level, playing golf comes naturally to Bell.

“Watching my older siblings play golf is what really got me into the sport,” she said. “Golf is really fun, and playing with people you know is even better.”

She aspires to become a professional golfer and has a backup plan of being an optometrist.

Bell said she’s been ºpreparing mentally for the tournament and practicing as much as possible before her big day.

Her father, Troy Bell, was lost for words when his daughter qualified for nationals, but he couldn’t be happier that the baby of the family is blazing her path in golf.

“I’m so proud of her,” Mr. Bell said. “This tournament is like the pinnacle for youth golfers, so having my youngest daughter qualify is great.”

Having the opportunity to play on such a big stage should be an accomplishment itself, Mr. Bell said. He’s looking forward to the trip and to seeing a few pros at the Masters but being able to watch his daughter compete against some of the best teen golfers around the nation is icing on the cake.

As for the tournament, Bell said she is staying focused and will be excited if she could bring home the title of national golf champion for her family.

“Winning nationals would be a dream, and I know my dad and family would just love that,” Bell added.

The ninth annual Drive, Chip and Putt Nationals will take place before the start of the Masters Tournament.