The Darlington Masters is a new event for the school that has never been done before. How the Darlington Masters works is a little similar to the real Masters, but has its unique additions. In the Darlington Masters, each house selects both dorm and day students to compete for their house in a drive, chip and putt contest. The event took place during advisory and office hours on April 11. The event took place at the Chris Hunter Stadium, where the audience could watch either in the stadium or on the track.
“The Darlington Masters is Darlington’s take on the Masters, where students can compete for their house,” sophomore Will Willerson said. He was a day student for Moser House who competed.
Participants competed in a drive, chip and putt contest, and hit one shot per skill for the total of three shots per person.
“The Darlington Masters is a golf competition between students on both an individual and house level. It also includes a group of amateurs, or faculty,” Assistant principal Brant Evans said.
Evans also served at one of the ‘chairmen’ of the Darlington Masters, where he sported a green jacket on the field. Regester and Summerbell won overall, and Ther Kotchasanmanee and Ethan Thoem won individually. Faculty member Mary Austen Morgan won for the amateur (faculty) division.
“It was exciting to see a new annual tradition start this year. Not only that, but Regester won for houses, which therefore means we get the Darlington Masters Flag for this year,” Kotchasanmanee said.
The Masters is something everyone watches and gets excited about, therefore, bringing it to Darlington and putting our own twist on it is the beginning of a great annual tradition.
“The Masters is something for which Chairmen Charles Steeves, Justin Bruce, and myself have great respect and we were hoping to share a little bit of that Masters’ magic with Darlington,” Evans said.
The real Masters in Augusta is an annual tradition that has a fancy reputation and is known for its prestige. Following suit, invitations were sent out to those who participated at school during assembly. Students that were spectators were dressed in appropriate Masters attire. For lunch, in honor of the large golf tournament, lunch was hosted outside and featured classic Masters food staples.
“We are thankful for the Dining Hall staff for giving us an amazing outdoor lunch on Friday that was Masters themed. The sandwiches and Arnold Palmers were spot on,” Evans said.
Like the true Masters, for winning you receive a green Masters jacket, and only those who win can wear this jacket. You also receive a Darlington Masters Flag, which the winners write their names on and keep in the dorms. Next year, when the Dar Masters are played again, the flag will be given to the newest winner.
“The prize for the winning house is a Darlington Masters Flag that can be signed and passed down from year to year. The prize for low individuals (male/female) is a green jacket that can be worn for one calendar year or until graduation, whichever comes first,” Evans said.
Now, the big question is: Who will win the Darlington Masters flag and green jacket next?
“For the first year, it ran very well. I think it will continue to grow and become a great event. I am excited to see who will be the winner next year,” Willerson said.