2021 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Sofina Firouzi
Rancho Santa Fe
,
CA
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Girls
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:
Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
10
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
-3, -1
Handicap Index:
0.8
How did you become interested in golf?
I was always at my sister’s golf lessons on Saturdays and I saw some kids my age on the putting green taking a lesson and asked my mom if I could do that too. She signed me up for The First Tee program there.
Who introduced you to golf?
My sister Nikka
Who do you normally play golf with?
Dianna Lee, Summer Yang, Meghan Royal
Who is your golf teacher?
Derek Uyeda
What do you like most about playing golf?
I love everything about golf, it's second nature to me. The competition, the challenges, all the different possibilities; I love how there's always something to improve on.
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
I like to practice my short game the most.
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
The most difficult thing about golf is the amount of time it takes to get to where you want to go. It’s a long journey but well worth the wait.
What is your favorite club?
My putter is my favorite club.
What is your favorite course in the world?
After I see Augusta National it will probably be there but I like playing Torrey Pines.
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
My biggest achievements in golf are verbally committing to play golf at Santa Clara University and I just received the 2020 SCPGA Foundation Award.
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?
Yes
Do you participate in LPGA*USGA Girls Golf?
No
Do you participate in The First Tee?
Yes in Walnut Creek, CA at Boundary Oak Golf Course
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Strawberry Farms Golf Club/D-48, C-26, P-60 Total 134 for 2nd place overall. It was a really cute course and the volunteers were so nice.
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Oak Creek Golf Club/D-51, C-35, P-60 total 146 for 1st place overall. It was fun competing with my LA friends.
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Torrey Pines/D-52, C-31, P-50 total 133 for 1st overall. When the DCP coordinator asked me how I did on my drives because I was the last to go in my group. I told him and he said “I think you got it” then he had the lady calculate the score and told me I won!! Then I turned to my mom & mouthed “I got it!” That was one of the best days of my life.
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, I made it to Regionals at Torrey Pines and got 6th place overall.
2019, I made it to sub-regional at La Costa resort got 9th place overall.
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. I enjoyed watching it on TV. It made me want to try for Augusta this year.
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?
The Masters last year. I was rooting for Xander but if he was going to lose I wanted it to be Tiger.
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
Hanging out with my papa when I am visiting and watching golf together.
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
Xander Schauffele. We have the same putting coach and trainer, whenever I get the opportunity to spend time with him, he’s super funny, down to earth, and he’s an amazing golfer.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
Mickey Wright is my favorite female golfer because of the impact she had on the LPGA. She was an amazing person.
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Michelle Wie is the coolest golfer because not only is she an incredible player, but she also has the best outfits and a great personality.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstances:
I putt with Xander occasionally as we have the same coach.
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
I would choose to play golf with Colin Morikawa, Seve Ballesteros, and Nelly Korda.
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
No
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
I would serve braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and asparagus along with ice cream and cookies for dessert.
Favorite School Subject:
Math and Science
Favorite School Teacher:
Ms. Meyers
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Swimming
Favorite Movie:
Spiderman – Far From Home
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
Khalid
Favorite TV Show:
Friends
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
Computer coding
Hero/Role Model(s):
Parents and Grandparents
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“It’s all part of the process” –Coach Derek
What do you want to be with you grow up?
A professional golfer
Describe yourself:
I’m confident, hardworking and always have a smile on my face.
Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Play Golf Right or Left Handed:
Right
Age Started Playing Golf:
10
Lowest Score Shot (9 and/or 18 holes):
-3, -1
Handicap Index:
0.8
How did you become interested in golf?
I was always at my sister’s golf lessons on Saturdays and I saw some kids my age on the putting green taking a lesson and asked my mom if I could do that too. She signed me up for The First Tee program there.
Who introduced you to golf?
My sister Nikka
Who do you normally play golf with?
Dianna Lee, Summer Yang, Meghan Royal
Who is your golf teacher?
Derek Uyeda
What do you like most about playing golf?
I love everything about golf, it's second nature to me. The competition, the challenges, all the different possibilities; I love how there's always something to improve on.
What part of golf do you like to practice the most?
I like to practice my short game the most.
What’s the most difficult thing about golf?
The most difficult thing about golf is the amount of time it takes to get to where you want to go. It’s a long journey but well worth the wait.
What is your favorite club?
My putter is my favorite club.
What is your favorite course in the world?
After I see Augusta National it will probably be there but I like playing Torrey Pines.
What is your biggest achievement in golf so far?
My biggest achievements in golf are verbally committing to play golf at Santa Clara University and I just received the 2020 SCPGA Foundation Award.
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?
Yes
Do you participate in LPGA*USGA Girls Golf?
No
Do you participate in The First Tee?
Yes in Walnut Creek, CA at Boundary Oak Golf Course
Local Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Strawberry Farms Golf Club/D-48, C-26, P-60 Total 134 for 2nd place overall. It was a really cute course and the volunteers were so nice.
Sub-Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Oak Creek Golf Club/D-51, C-35, P-60 total 146 for 1st place overall. It was fun competing with my LA friends.
Regional Qualifying Site/Results/Any Memorable Moments:
Torrey Pines/D-52, C-31, P-50 total 133 for 1st overall. When the DCP coordinator asked me how I did on my drives because I was the last to go in my group. I told him and he said “I think you got it” then he had the lady calculate the score and told me I won!! Then I turned to my mom & mouthed “I got it!” That was one of the best days of my life.
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, I made it to Regionals at Torrey Pines and got 6th place overall.
2019, I made it to sub-regional at La Costa resort got 9th place overall.
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. I enjoyed watching it on TV. It made me want to try for Augusta this year.
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?
The Masters last year. I was rooting for Xander but if he was going to lose I wanted it to be Tiger.
What is your favorite memory of watching golf on TV?
Hanging out with my papa when I am visiting and watching golf together.
Who is your favorite male golfer, and why?
Xander Schauffele. We have the same putting coach and trainer, whenever I get the opportunity to spend time with him, he’s super funny, down to earth, and he’s an amazing golfer.
Who is your favorite female golfer, and why?
Mickey Wright is my favorite female golfer because of the impact she had on the LPGA. She was an amazing person.
Who is the coolest player in golf, and why?
Michelle Wie is the coolest golfer because not only is she an incredible player, but she also has the best outfits and a great personality.
Have you ever played with someone famous? Who? Please describe the circumstances:
I putt with Xander occasionally as we have the same coach.
If you could choose to play golf with a dream foursome, who would the other three people be?
I would choose to play golf with Colin Morikawa, Seve Ballesteros, and Nelly Korda.
Do you have any superstitions as it relates to golf? If so, please describe:
No
What food would you serve at your Champions Dinner at Augusta National?
I would serve braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and asparagus along with ice cream and cookies for dessert.
Favorite School Subject:
Math and Science
Favorite School Teacher:
Ms. Meyers
Favorite Sport (other than golf):
Swimming
Favorite Movie:
Spiderman – Far From Home
Favorite Singer/Music Group:
Khalid
Favorite TV Show:
Friends
Explain any talents or interests outside of golf:
Computer coding
Hero/Role Model(s):
Parents and Grandparents
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“It’s all part of the process” –Coach Derek
What do you want to be with you grow up?
A professional golfer
Describe yourself:
I’m confident, hardworking and always have a smile on my face.
