2022 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Autumn Solesbee
Denver
,
NC
Age: 7 - 9
Gender: Girls
Region: East
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.
HOMETOWN:
Huntersville, NC
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Southlake Christian Academy in Huntersville, NC
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
3rd grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Cowans Ford Golf Club, Stanley, NC
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
7 years old.
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
32 for 9 holes.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
Autumn was adopted from foster care and we took her to a TopGolf in December of 2019 to meet her new Grandfather (Donnie's dad). She loved it! Then we watched Short Game on Netflix and she was hooked!
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
Mom and Dad (Donnie and Jamie)
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
Dad and friends
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
My dad
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Winning tournaments and hitting great golf shots! I love the feeling of hitting a great golf shot. It is refreshing like a cold drink and I say "ahhhh".
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
Pitching
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Learning how far I hit each club and how to use the rangefinder
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
56 degree wedge
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Augusta National
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Finishing in the top 10 at the US Kids Golf World Championships in my first trip this past July. Also, qualifying for DCP at Augusta of course! And I won the Little Linksters Best Pee Wee Swing in the World Contest for my age group (7-9).
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN LPGA*USGA GIRLS GOLF?
No but I am planning on it.
LOCAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Peninsula Club - This was my first DCP experience so I was just trying to take it all in and have fun.
SUBREGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Grandover Resort - It was pouring down rain and I didn't even think they would have the competition but they did. I didn't hit any warm up shots because it was just raining so hard. So I was really proud of the fact that I was still able to do well. That was my first time hitting shots when it was pouring down rain.
REGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Quail Hollow - They paired the competitors after each round based on scores. I did really well in the pitching so I was in the lead going into putting. So I had to wait for every other girl to putt and think about the fact that I was in the lead. It made me really nervous. But I was still able to step up and do really well. I made the 15-foot putt and hit the 30-foot putt to within a few inches. There were lots of people watching and even some TV cameras, so I was really happy that I was able to focus and still do well!
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 loved it. I loved watching Yana Wilson's driver swing in slow motion. She has such a beautiful swing!
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, driving, putting
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 dad showed me video of Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods winning the Masters!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
I love to watch the women's tournaments.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Jordan Spieth.. He is handsome... But don't tell my dad I said that! And Bubba Watson because he adopted his kids.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Annika Sorenstam because she said I had a great swing! But I love so many of them because so many of them have been so nice to me!
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Mia Hammond who qualified as well in the older girls division. She is cool because her golf swing is so amazing and we got to play together in Pinehurst and she was so nice to me. I think we are like golf besties even though she is older than me. :-)
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
I haven't played with anyone famous but I have walked holes with Alexa Pano, Paris Hilinski, Amari Avery and Amanda Sambach. They are all my golf besties too!
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Annika Sorenstam, Haley Moore and Amanda Sambach.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
My grandmommy sends me a video of Katy Perry's "Roar" that I have to watch before any tournament or DCP. I make sure I watch it.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIEDO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?:
Mario Golf Super Rush
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?:
Pizza, ice cream, cookies, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, chocolate cake, Sour Patch Kids, Cheerwine.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Math
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
I love all of my Southlake teachers! I can't pick one!
FAVORTIE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Gymnastics
FAVORITE MOVE:
Cinderella
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Justin Timberlake
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Malibu Junior Rescue
FAVORITE EMOJI:
Golfer
EXPLAIN ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I love to sing and do Tae Kwon Do. And cooking with mommy.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I spent over three years in foster care before I was adopted my mommy and daddy.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Mia Hammond, Haley Moore, Amanda Sambach, Annika Sorenstam and Bubba Watson.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Mommy and Daddy always tell me to work hard at things I love and always do my best.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOUR GROW UP?
The first LPGA Veterinarian Golfer!!
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Ok, this is a lot!. I'm sweet and caring. I love my mommy and daddy. I love my doggies. I have 3 doggies! I love all animals, even bugs and snakes.. especially frogs and lizards! I love math! I love school! I love God! I love homework... Yeah, I actually do! I love my friends!
