Photo Courtesy of CFISDNews
Rennell ES fourth grade student places fifth in Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals
Rennell Elementary School fourth grade student Blake Ayuso recently placed fifth overall in the Boys 7-9 age division at the 11th Annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia.
Conducted in partnership with the prestigious Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association (USGA) and PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free youth golf development initiative for junior golfers of all skill and ability levels. Ayuso’s road to Augusta started in the summer of 2024 with a local qualifier in Dallas. Ayuso then competed in a sub-regional qualifier and won his regional qualifier to make his debut at the national contest. He was one of 40 male regional winners from across the country to compete in the national finals.
“It was a great feeling just to be at the national finals,” Ayuso said. “I felt like a Masters player since we were at Augusta. As you walk a lot of people applaud and it makes you feel special. I won the drive contest in my age division, and I’m still working on putting and chipping.”
Julio Ayuso, Blake’s dad and Brautigam Center teacher, added: “It was amazing to be at Augusta. It was very humbling to have a little taste of success. All this time we’re spending is worth it. Being at the national finals was a reminder that we’re on the right track.”
Golf came naturally to Blake. His mother, Nakia Davis Ayuso, was the first African American to play collegiate golf for the Southeastern Conference, playing for Vanderbilt University in the mid-1990s. Julio picked up golf after getting married. The family, which also includes Blake’s brothers Andrew and Carson, competes every Sunday in the “Family Scramble” at BlackHorse Golf Club.
“Blake and his brothers all gravitated towards golf since both me and my husband play,” Davis Ayuso said. “Blake started playing in the house with plastic clubs and it’s grown from there.”
During the school year, Blake practices three times a week. Practices pick up to five times a week during the summer due to an increase in golf tournaments.
Blake competes in tournaments on the Southern Texas PGA Junior Tour and the U.S. Kids Golf Tour. In addition to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, he has competed in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship.
“I like golf because it’s an individual sport and you have to reply on yourself,” Ayuso said. “I like relying on myself and I love the competition. I want to be play on the PGA Tour someday.”
Source: CFISD
