AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 03: Nicole Criscone, competing in the 10-11 Girls category, shakes hands with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson during the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Many politicians have been on hand to open up local municipal golf courses, but in Clifton Park, an Olympic hopeful will get the season started.
Town Supervisor Phil Barrett has invited 11-year-old Nicole Criscone to hit the ceremonial first drive to open the Barney Road Golf Course Friday morning at 8 am. Although she is only in 6th grade, Criscone plays golf competitively at the national level and is hoping to compete in the 2024 Olympics.
The setting is familiar to Criscone. According to the Supervisor's office, Barney Road Golf Course is where the young phenomenon got her start.
Criscone is getting a lot of attention: