2021 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Gavin Baker
Hedgesville
,
WV
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Boys
The Path to the National Finals
Qualifying Path
Should a player advance through local qualifying, the subregional and regional qualifying sites are pre-determined based upon the local qualifying site. The player is not guaranteed participation in the subregional qualifier unless he/she advances through local qualifying. The player is not guaranteed participation in the regional qualifier unless he/she advances through local and subregional qualifying.
Home Course and Location:
Greencastle Golf Club, PA
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
5th birthday
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
9 holes: 36 / 18 holes: 75
Handicap Index:
9.5
How did you become interested in golf?
Watching dad play and he made the game fun (hitting water balloons), and soon I was hooked to play competitive.
Who introduced you to golf?
Dad. Operation 36 was one of the golf programs that made me have a love for golf. PGA Jr. League too.
Who do you normally play golf with?
Dad
Who is your golf teacher?
Operation 36 Coach Jameson Wallace. Swing coaches: Lee Gardenhour (long game) and Gabriel Jaime (short game)
What do you like most about playing golf?
Holing long putts, chipping close, sticking iron shots, beast-mode-ing a drive
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
Putting, chipping, long irons, driving. Basically everything
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
When you 4 putt. Hitting bad drives. Keeping your composure good.
What is your favorite club?
Putter
What is your favorite course in the world?
Augusta National Golf Club
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
Winning the regional at Oakmont CC, 2020
Do you participate in PGA Junior League?
Yes.
Do you participate in The First Tee?
No.
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Hanover CC. Making the 6 and 15 ft. putt. 125 points – Drive: 24, Chip: 36, Putt: 65
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
The Ace Club. Records on driving and chipping. 135 points – Drive: 30, Chip: 50, Putt: 55
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Oakmont CC. Making 6 and 30 ft. putt. Drive: 22, Chip: 50, Putt: 51
Have you tried to qualify for Drive, Chip and Putt in the past? If so, please list each of the years and previous results:
2019: Local – 86, subregional – 98
2020: Local – 124, subregional – 135, regional - 123
Did you watch last year’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on television? If so, what impact did that have on your participation this year?
I’m now one of them so if I want to win I have to work hard.
List from strongest to weakest – Driving, Chipping, Putting:
Putting, chipping, driving
Have you ever been to the Masters before? If so, when?
Yes. 2019 Monday practice round
What is your favorite Masters memory? U.S. Open or U.S. Women’s Open memory? PGA Championship or Women’s PGA
Championship memory?
When Tiger won the 2019 Masters when I was there
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
When Tiger won the 2019 Masters
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson. Both great putters and they both are great at golf.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
Lexi Thompson. She drives it a long way.
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Phil Mickelson because he hits a lot of creative shots.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstances:
No.
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
If I play good with a golf shirt I usually wear it a lot
Do you play any golf videos games? If so, which one(s)?
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
CHICKEN TENDERS!!! Pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, mac n’ cheese. Drink: Arnold Palmer, water, lemonade.
Favorite School Subject:
Gym Class
Favorite School Teacher:
Mr. Brookens
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Basketball
Favorite Movie:
The Short Game (US Kids World championship)
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
George Ezra, Maroon 5
Favorite TV Show:
Watching golf on TV
Favorite App:
Minecraft / Golf Clash
Favorite Emoji:
Golf emoji
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
Basketball, Steelers football!!
Describe any obstacles you’ve overcome in your life:
My left ear which had 4 surgeries and no golf for a while
Hero/Role Model(s):
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Not to reverse pivot which causes flipping the club
What do you want to be with you grow up?
Professional golfer
Describe yourself:
Smart, talented, athletic, competitive, successful, helpful, and funny.
Greencastle Golf Club, PA
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
5th birthday
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
9 holes: 36 / 18 holes: 75
Handicap Index:
9.5
How did you become interested in golf?
Watching dad play and he made the game fun (hitting water balloons), and soon I was hooked to play competitive.
Who introduced you to golf?
Dad. Operation 36 was one of the golf programs that made me have a love for golf. PGA Jr. League too.
Who do you normally play golf with?
Dad
Who is your golf teacher?
Operation 36 Coach Jameson Wallace. Swing coaches: Lee Gardenhour (long game) and Gabriel Jaime (short game)
What do you like most about playing golf?
Holing long putts, chipping close, sticking iron shots, beast-mode-ing a drive
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
Putting, chipping, long irons, driving. Basically everything
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
When you 4 putt. Hitting bad drives. Keeping your composure good.
What is your favorite club?
Putter
What is your favorite course in the world?
Augusta National Golf Club
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
Winning the regional at Oakmont CC, 2020
Do you participate in PGA Junior League?
Yes.
Do you participate in The First Tee?
No.
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Hanover CC. Making the 6 and 15 ft. putt. 125 points – Drive: 24, Chip: 36, Putt: 65
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
The Ace Club. Records on driving and chipping. 135 points – Drive: 30, Chip: 50, Putt: 55
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Oakmont CC. Making 6 and 30 ft. putt. Drive: 22, Chip: 50, Putt: 51
Have you tried to qualify for Drive, Chip and Putt in the past? If so, please list each of the years and previous results:
2019: Local – 86, subregional – 98
2020: Local – 124, subregional – 135, regional - 123
Did you watch last year’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on television? If so, what impact did that have on your participation this year?
I’m now one of them so if I want to win I have to work hard.
List from strongest to weakest – Driving, Chipping, Putting:
Putting, chipping, driving
Have you ever been to the Masters before? If so, when?
Yes. 2019 Monday practice round
What is your favorite Masters memory? U.S. Open or U.S. Women’s Open memory? PGA Championship or Women’s PGA
Championship memory?
When Tiger won the 2019 Masters when I was there
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
When Tiger won the 2019 Masters
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson. Both great putters and they both are great at golf.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
Lexi Thompson. She drives it a long way.
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Phil Mickelson because he hits a lot of creative shots.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstances:
No.
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
If I play good with a golf shirt I usually wear it a lot
Do you play any golf videos games? If so, which one(s)?
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
CHICKEN TENDERS!!! Pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, mac n’ cheese. Drink: Arnold Palmer, water, lemonade.
Favorite School Subject:
Gym Class
Favorite School Teacher:
Mr. Brookens
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Basketball
Favorite Movie:
The Short Game (US Kids World championship)
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
George Ezra, Maroon 5
Favorite TV Show:
Watching golf on TV
Favorite App:
Minecraft / Golf Clash
Favorite Emoji:
Golf emoji
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
Basketball, Steelers football!!
Describe any obstacles you’ve overcome in your life:
My left ear which had 4 surgeries and no golf for a while
Hero/Role Model(s):
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Not to reverse pivot which causes flipping the club
What do you want to be with you grow up?
Professional golfer
Describe yourself:
Smart, talented, athletic, competitive, successful, helpful, and funny.
