2021 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Samantha Galantini
West Orange
,
NJ
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Girls
Region: Northeast
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.
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Sub-Regional QualifierEvent CompletedScotch Plains, NJ 07076Aug 27, 2019
Home Course and Location:
Montclair Golf Club, West Orange, NJ
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
3
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
31/68
Handicap Index:
0
How did you become interested in golf?
My family introduced me to the game when I was 3 years old.
Who introduced you to golf?
My family introduced me to the game.
Who do you normally play golf with?
I normally play golf with my family: my mom, my dad and my brother.
Who is your golf teacher?
Baker Maddera
What do you like most about playing golf?
I like playing with different people and making new friends while having lots of fun.
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
I like to practice putting the most.
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
The most difficult thing is the mental game and making sure that you don’t let a bad shot or hole get in your head.
What is your favorite club?
My putter
What is your favorite course in the world?
The Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club.
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
I have 2 holes-in-one – both in junior tournaments.
Have you ever participated in a USGA or PGA of America event? If so, which one(s), when, and how did you do?
I have participated in the USGA Girls Junior qualifiers in 2018 and 2019 (did not qualify).
Do you participate in PGA Junior League?
I did until I aged out last year.
Do you participate in LPGA*USGA Girls Golf?
I did when I was younger.
Do you participate in The First Tee?
No
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Deer Run Golf Club/ First Place/ making 2 out of the 3 putts.
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Shackamaxon Country Club/First Place/ qualifying with one of my best friends.
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
TPC River Highlands/First Place/the moment when I realized I qualified for Augusta
Have you tried to qualify for Drive, Chip and Putt in the past? If so, please list each of the years and previous results:
2014 – did not qualify
2015 – Sub-regional
2016 – Sub-regional
2017 – Sub-regional
2018 – Sub-regional
2019 – Sub-regional
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 did watch last year’s national finals and it gave me more motivation to work harder this year to qualify.
List from strongest to weakest – Driving, Chipping, Putting:
Putting, Driving, Chipping
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?
My favorite memory was the 2019 Masters when Tiger Woods won because it showed that no matter what life throws your way, you can always come back and accomplish your dream.
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
I enjoyed watching the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year.
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
My favorite male golfer is Bubba Watson because he is such a unique player and he makes golf fun.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
My favorite female golfer is Jennifer Kupcho. It was exciting to watch her win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Rickie Fowler is the coolest player in golf because of his style and the way he maintains his composure on the golf course.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstances:
I have never played with someone famous.
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
Rick Nash (retired NHL player), Bubba Watson, and Tiger Woods
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
If I make a bogey on a hole, I change my tee because I think it is bad luck.
Do you play any golf videos games? If so, which one(s)?
I play Rory McIlroy PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K21.
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
I would serve grilled chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, penne pasta with butter, broccoli and cheesecake.
Favorite School Subject:
Math
Favorite School Teacher:
My math teacher
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Soccer
Favorite Movie:
Happy Gilmore
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
Imagine Dragons
Favorite TV Show:
Friends
Favorite App:
Instagram
Favorite Emoji:
Red heart emoji
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
I play soccer for my high school team. I like to watch all sports on TV, especially NY Rangers games.
Describe any obstacles you’ve overcome in your life:
I was born at 30 weeks and only weighed 3 pounds and 15 ounces.
Hero/Role Model(s):
My mom, dad and brother
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Always lay up to your favorite yardage.
What do you want to be with you grow up?
I would love to be a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour.
Describe yourself:
I am funny, athletic, sarcastic, friendly, and compassionate.
Montclair Golf Club, West Orange, NJ
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
3
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
31/68
Handicap Index:
0
How did you become interested in golf?
My family introduced me to the game when I was 3 years old.
Who introduced you to golf?
My family introduced me to the game.
Who do you normally play golf with?
I normally play golf with my family: my mom, my dad and my brother.
Who is your golf teacher?
Baker Maddera
What do you like most about playing golf?
I like playing with different people and making new friends while having lots of fun.
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
I like to practice putting the most.
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
The most difficult thing is the mental game and making sure that you don’t let a bad shot or hole get in your head.
What is your favorite club?
My putter
What is your favorite course in the world?
The Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club.
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
I have 2 holes-in-one – both in junior tournaments.
Have you ever participated in a USGA or PGA of America event? If so, which one(s), when, and how did you do?
I have participated in the USGA Girls Junior qualifiers in 2018 and 2019 (did not qualify).
Do you participate in PGA Junior League?
I did until I aged out last year.
Do you participate in LPGA*USGA Girls Golf?
I did when I was younger.
Do you participate in The First Tee?
No
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Deer Run Golf Club/ First Place/ making 2 out of the 3 putts.
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Shackamaxon Country Club/First Place/ qualifying with one of my best friends.
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
TPC River Highlands/First Place/the moment when I realized I qualified for Augusta
Have you tried to qualify for Drive, Chip and Putt in the past? If so, please list each of the years and previous results:
2014 – did not qualify
2015 – Sub-regional
2016 – Sub-regional
2017 – Sub-regional
2018 – Sub-regional
2019 – Sub-regional
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 did watch last year’s national finals and it gave me more motivation to work harder this year to qualify.
List from strongest to weakest – Driving, Chipping, Putting:
Putting, Driving, Chipping
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?
My favorite memory was the 2019 Masters when Tiger Woods won because it showed that no matter what life throws your way, you can always come back and accomplish your dream.
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
I enjoyed watching the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year.
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
My favorite male golfer is Bubba Watson because he is such a unique player and he makes golf fun.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
My favorite female golfer is Jennifer Kupcho. It was exciting to watch her win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Rickie Fowler is the coolest player in golf because of his style and the way he maintains his composure on the golf course.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstances:
I have never played with someone famous.
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
Rick Nash (retired NHL player), Bubba Watson, and Tiger Woods
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
If I make a bogey on a hole, I change my tee because I think it is bad luck.
Do you play any golf videos games? If so, which one(s)?
I play Rory McIlroy PGA Tour and PGA Tour 2K21.
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
I would serve grilled chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, penne pasta with butter, broccoli and cheesecake.
Favorite School Subject:
Math
Favorite School Teacher:
My math teacher
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Soccer
Favorite Movie:
Happy Gilmore
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
Imagine Dragons
Favorite TV Show:
Friends
Favorite App:
Favorite Emoji:
Red heart emoji
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
I play soccer for my high school team. I like to watch all sports on TV, especially NY Rangers games.
Describe any obstacles you’ve overcome in your life:
I was born at 30 weeks and only weighed 3 pounds and 15 ounces.
Hero/Role Model(s):
My mom, dad and brother
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Always lay up to your favorite yardage.
What do you want to be with you grow up?
I would love to be a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour.
Describe yourself:
I am funny, athletic, sarcastic, friendly, and compassionate.
