MORGANTOWN- Twelve-year-old Andrew Grigsby has had quite an active summer.
The seventh grader from St. Franics Central Catholic School in Morgantown, who plays basketball, may very well be on his way to a stellar golf career after winning several tournaments over the last couple of months and now sets his sights on the National Drive, Chip, and Putt tournament at Augusta National Finals at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2026 which is the Sunday of the heralded Masters Tournament.
Andrew, also with cross-country experience, is the grandson of Tom and Terri Johnson of Coldwell Banker Stuart & Watts Real Estate company in Lewisburg and the son of Cheri (Johnson) Grigsby, a Greenbrier East graduate. He also has other family in the county as well such as Adam Sams, with who he shares his favorite golf memory.
Andrew’s path to Augusta came with many challenges that he met head on and passed with flying colors.
The first obstacle was the local qualifier which was held at Coonskin Park Golf Course in Charleston, WV on July 17th against eight competitors where he advanced to the sub-regional qualifier. The next hurdle was the sub-regional event at Nemacolin Resort in Farmington, PA on August 7th where he won first place out of 17 competitors to then earn his place at the regional qualifier at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, PA. He then earned the first-place finish against 12 very talented youth golfers.
Then, on Saturday, Sept. 13, Andrew won first place in the regional Drive, Chip & Putt qualifier at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, PA which is where he earned his ticket to now compete with nine other 12–13-year-old boys across the nation (ten total) at Augusta National Finals. The event will be televised and is extremely impressive accomplishment for Andrew and youth golf in the state.
“This has been something Andrew has been preparing for over the past few years and began the circuit over the summer,” his mother, Cheri, said.
Andrew started playing golf at a young age and from that point forward, it just seemed to come natural to him.
“I started playing golf when I was around four years old,” Andrew said.
“My cousin Adam Sams was a college golfer, and he encouraged my brother Chase and I to try golf, so we went to a golf camp at The Pines Country Club in Morgantown over the summer with golf pro Russell Reid and I fell in love with the game. I’ve been playing ever since. I take golf lessons, compete in Callaway Junior Tour events, The Pine Pros Junior League, and Drive, Chip & Putt tournaments,” he added.
During the final step before qualifying for nationals, Andrew knew he had accomplished his amazing feat after his final putt and as he walked off the green.
“After my final putt I knew I had finished with a high score to be in the top three positions, so I was anxious to get to the leader board and see where I finished, but as I left the putting green and walked toward the score table, spectators were high fiving me and congratulating me so I knew at that point I may have won but I was still nervous until all the scores came in. Hearing my name called and receiving my blue ribbon was a surreal moment knowing I was going to Augusta National,” he explained with excitement.
Obviously, for a 12-year-old, there is a lot to look forward to at such a prestigious event, and Andrew already has some things in mind he wants to experience.
“I am looking forward to the entire experience of being at the Masters. Seeing the course and possibly meeting some of the professionals will be the absolute best because I will be there to see Monday’s practice round. Going down Magnolia Lane will be a moment to remember. Meeting the other nine boys from around the U.S. in my age group and representing West Virginia is a dream come true,” Grigsby said proudly.
More info on the golf tournaments can be found here: https://tristate.pga.com/drivechipputt/
