The Opening Tee Shot February 11, 2025 ⛳

Published: Wed, 02/12/25

Updated: Wed, 02/12/25

Welcome to the The Opening Tee Shot

Thanks for joining us this week! While we loved the warm, Spring-like temps last week, it appears that was short-lived and now we are back in the forties here in Augusta 🥶.

Despite the rainy cold weather, this week we're bringing you:

🏆 Junior golf tournaments and news.

💡A brand new junior golfer spotlight.

🏌️A product review for an inexpensive—but effective—training aid.

-Sara and Chili

A view of hole #8 at Trillium Links and Lake Club, Cashiers, North Carolina.

⌛ The latest in junior golf and other golf-related news

If you're interested in a Winter Golf Clinic for your junior golfer, check out these offerings from The Golf Dome and Walt Disney World.
The Golf Performance Academy announced a brand new non-profit organization—the USA Junior Golf Federation—which will provide financial assistance for its students.
The AJGA has plenty going on this weekend. It's hosting the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods and the The Fortinet Stanford Invitational hosted by Rose Zhang.

⌛ Junior golfer spotlight

This week's Junior Golfer Spotlight features Catherine (CJ) Andino from Boca Raton, Florida! She recently placed 4th in Florida's High School State Championship

and brought home the victory as the First Tee Miami Doral Jr. Classic Champion. Congratulations CJ!

Who is your favorite golfer?

Rory McIlroy.

How did you start playing golf?

I started playing with a friend when I was 6.

What is your favorite thing about golf?

That each shot is a different challenge and opportunity.

What part of the game are you working on now?

I am always working on all aspects of my game and getting physically stronger.

What is your best achievement in golf?

Scoring 12 under par in a 3 day tournament.

What is your graduation year?

2027.

What is your biggest goal in the next 5 years? Championships with my college team and qualifying for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Who is your golf instructor?

Kenny Leech @kennyleechpga

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Chocolate chip cookie dough.

What other hobbies do you like?

Basketball and going to the beach.

https://www.instagram.com/catherineandinogolf/

Did you know we post all the videos of our Junior Golf Spotlights on YouTube? Subscribe to our channel and you'll see these amazing juniors in action!

🏌️ A first-hand review of the Putter Cup

We recently stumbled across the Putter Cup training aid and were given an opportunity to try it out. While there are tons of training aids available, we love how it focuses specifically on putting, it's portable, and breaks up the monotony often associated with putting practice!

You can choose from 3 training options, each focused on a different aspect of putting, or you can purchase the bundle with all 3 for about $35.

Your junior golfer can benefit from the set in several ways. The Center Cup shrinks is an inch smaller than regulation size, so if you can make the putts, then you're getting dialed in on your aim.

The Speed Bump is great because—as the name implies—it focuses specifically on speeding up or slowing down putts. The large To Go Cup works on both speed and aim.

The other great aspect of these training aids is how portable and light they are. For example, Hamilton is playing in the Simplify tournament this weekend so he'll be able to practice putting in the hotel room with these Putter Cups. And when you're practicing at the putting green, you don't have to worry about it weighing the golf bag down. Here it is in action so you can see what you think!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for the recommendation at no cost to you.