Payne on growing the game

Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Tournament chairman Billy Payne said today he's pleased with the recent iniatives to grow the game.

This past fall, the fifth annual Asia Pacific Amateur was held - the tournament was created by the Masters and the R&A. Upcoming is the newly-created Latin America Amateur Championship, which was formed by the Masters, R&A and the USGA, in January in Buenos Aires.

On Sunday, the popular Drive, Chip and Putt, which was created by the Masters, the USGA and the PGA of America, featured 88 boys and girls at Augusta National Golf Club.

"As a club and an organization we are so grateful to be a facilitator in all these initiatives," Payne said.

Payne said the Drive, Chip and Putt had quite an impact, especially on him.

"It was extremely powerful," he said. "I knew there was something special in these kids and there families. They responded so wonderfully."