2021 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Loden Chen
Palo Alto
,
CA
Age: 7 - 9
Gender: Boys
Region: Northwest
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:
Stanford Golf Course, Stanford, CA
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
Three
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
32/76
How did you become interested in golf?
By watching my Dad, who was learning how to play golf from watching YouTube. He would practice near the playground, and then I wanted to hit balls too. I also had a plastic alligator golf set when I was two, my great uncle gave that to me for my birthday.
Who introduced you to golf?
My dad
Who do you normally play golf with?
My dad.
Who is your golf teacher?
My dad. We had a few lessons from Mark Cato who used to be a tour player.
What do you like most about playing golf?
It is fun!
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
Everything
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
Focusing all the time.
What is your favorite club?
Putter.
What is your favorite course in the world?
I don’t know about the World, because I haven’t played courses outside of the United States, but I liked Chambers Bay when I went for Regionals.
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
Making it to Augusta!
Have you ever participated in a USGA or PGA of America event? If so, which one(s), when, and how did you do?
No
Do you participate in PGA Junior League?
No, not yet. I would like to.
Do you participate in The First Tee?
I did before, when I was in first grade.
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Shoreline, Mountain View, CA/ 2nd place 119 points/ Making it to Subs!
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Spartan Golf Complex, San Jose, CA/1st place 139 points/ I chipped well and came in first in all categories!
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Chambers Bay, Seattle, WA/128 points/Coming from behind, didn’t do so well before the putting, then I sank two putts and almost the third!
Have you tried to qualify for Drive, Chip and Putt in the past? If so, please list each of the years and previous results:
2018: Local 2nd 86 points; SR 9th 91 points
2019: Local 1st 113 points; SR 3rd 100 points
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?
Yes! And it made me want to go!
List from strongest to weakest – Driving, Chipping, Putting:
Putting, Chipping, then Driving
Have you ever been to the Masters before? If so, when?
No
What is your favorite Masters memory? U.S. Open or U.S. Women’s Open memory? PGA Championship or Women’s PGA Championship memory?
Tiger winning the Masters!
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
Tiger winning the Masters!
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
Rory McIlroy because he has a great swing.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
Minjee Lee because she chips really well and Lydia Ko because she’s friendly
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Rickie Fowler because he’s super funny, especially in the Golf Boys video.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstance:
No
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, and Jordan Spieth
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
No
Do you play any golf video games? If so, which one(s)?
Mini-golf King; WGT Golf; Golf Blitz
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
Tibetan Dumplings called Momo’s! They are delicious especially with spicy chili!
Favorite School Subject:
Reading and Recess
Favorite School Teacher:
Ms. Ann Kwolek from 2nd grade
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Swimming and Tennis
Favorite Movie:
Endgame
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
Fat Rat
Favorite TV Show:
I don’t have one, we don’t watch much TV – actually don’t have TV
Favorite Emoji:
“Chill” emoji
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
Drawing, painting, making my own comics, singing and playing a little piano
Describe any obstacles you’ve overcome in your life:
Some of the hard things for me are trying new things, and sometimes going to new places. I try to be adventurous and stay curious
Hero/Role Model(s):
My parents, most of the time!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I try to follow the golden rule, treat others the way you want to be treated.
What do you want to be with you grow up?
A golfer.
Describe yourself:
Friendly, funny, helpful and flexible
Stanford Golf Course, Stanford, CA
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
Three
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
32/76
How did you become interested in golf?
By watching my Dad, who was learning how to play golf from watching YouTube. He would practice near the playground, and then I wanted to hit balls too. I also had a plastic alligator golf set when I was two, my great uncle gave that to me for my birthday.
Who introduced you to golf?
My dad
Who do you normally play golf with?
My dad.
Who is your golf teacher?
My dad. We had a few lessons from Mark Cato who used to be a tour player.
What do you like most about playing golf?
It is fun!
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
Everything
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
Focusing all the time.
What is your favorite club?
Putter.
What is your favorite course in the world?
I don’t know about the World, because I haven’t played courses outside of the United States, but I liked Chambers Bay when I went for Regionals.
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
Making it to Augusta!
Have you ever participated in a USGA or PGA of America event? If so, which one(s), when, and how did you do?
No
Do you participate in PGA Junior League?
No, not yet. I would like to.
Do you participate in The First Tee?
I did before, when I was in first grade.
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Shoreline, Mountain View, CA/ 2nd place 119 points/ Making it to Subs!
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Spartan Golf Complex, San Jose, CA/1st place 139 points/ I chipped well and came in first in all categories!
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Chambers Bay, Seattle, WA/128 points/Coming from behind, didn’t do so well before the putting, then I sank two putts and almost the third!
Have you tried to qualify for Drive, Chip and Putt in the past? If so, please list each of the years and previous results:
2018: Local 2nd 86 points; SR 9th 91 points
2019: Local 1st 113 points; SR 3rd 100 points
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?
Yes! And it made me want to go!
List from strongest to weakest – Driving, Chipping, Putting:
Putting, Chipping, then Driving
Have you ever been to the Masters before? If so, when?
No
What is your favorite Masters memory? U.S. Open or U.S. Women’s Open memory? PGA Championship or Women’s PGA Championship memory?
Tiger winning the Masters!
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
Tiger winning the Masters!
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
Rory McIlroy because he has a great swing.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
Minjee Lee because she chips really well and Lydia Ko because she’s friendly
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Rickie Fowler because he’s super funny, especially in the Golf Boys video.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstance:
No
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, and Jordan Spieth
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
No
Do you play any golf video games? If so, which one(s)?
Mini-golf King; WGT Golf; Golf Blitz
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
Tibetan Dumplings called Momo’s! They are delicious especially with spicy chili!
Favorite School Subject:
Reading and Recess
Favorite School Teacher:
Ms. Ann Kwolek from 2nd grade
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Swimming and Tennis
Favorite Movie:
Endgame
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
Fat Rat
Favorite TV Show:
I don’t have one, we don’t watch much TV – actually don’t have TV
Favorite Emoji:
“Chill” emoji
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
Drawing, painting, making my own comics, singing and playing a little piano
Describe any obstacles you’ve overcome in your life:
Some of the hard things for me are trying new things, and sometimes going to new places. I try to be adventurous and stay curious
Hero/Role Model(s):
My parents, most of the time!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I try to follow the golden rule, treat others the way you want to be treated.
What do you want to be with you grow up?
A golfer.
Describe yourself:
Friendly, funny, helpful and flexible
