2022 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Jenna Kim
Raleigh
,
NC
Age: 12 - 13
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:
Raleigh, NC
PLAYER BIRTHPLACE:
Durham, North Carolina
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Durham Academy, Durham, NC
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
7th
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Brier Creek Country Club, Raleigh, NC
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
5
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
63 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
+2.4
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My mom introduced it to me.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
Friends and grown-up club members
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
My mom, but I have taken some lessons with a few different coaches over the years.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Meeting new friends and playing with friends on the course
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
Short game
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Staying positive after bad shots
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
60-degree wedge “Bob”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Pinehurst No. 2
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Winning the US Kids World Championship in 2021 with a hole-in-one on hole No. 5 on Pinehurst No. 5 (which was also my 5th hole-in-one).
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
I played in the USGA Women’s Four Ball Qualifier with my best friend, Ella June Hannant (who won the DCP National Final in 2018). We tied for 2nd but lost in a playoff and got the first alternate spot. We will play in the USGA Women's Amateur Four Ball in Puerto Rico this April!
LOCAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Pinewild Country Club, 1st place with 140 points
SUBREGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
UNC Finley Golf Course, 1st place with 127 points. I qualified with my friend, Riley Bush, who was very excited and emotional.
REGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Quail Hollow Golf Club, 1st place with 177 points. I hit one drive out-of-bounds for the first time ever, then chipped one in to take the lead. I also remember getting the medal from club president Mr. Johnny Harris.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH OF THE YEARS AND PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2016: 1st place at the local qualifier, 3rd place at sub-regional (missed by one point!) ; 2017: 1st place at the local qualifier, 3rd place at sub-regional (missed by five points) ; 2018: 1st place at the local qualifier, 1st place at the sub-regional, 4th place at the regional at Congressional Country Club ; 2019: 1st place at the local qualifier, 1st place at sub-regional, 6th place at the regional at Atlanta Athletic Club.
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 watch it every year, and it inspires me to participate every year.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, driving then 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?
When Tiger Woods won the Masters in 2019
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods, because he is one of the best golfers in the history
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Lydia Ko, because she has one of the best swings and she seems so nice
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods, because he has the best fist pump
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Lydia Ko, Tiger Woods and Collin Morikawa
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Yes! For big tournaments, I would like to wear a pair of shorts, always use my blue glittery ball marker and use balls with #1 or #4 on them.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?:
WGT Golf
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?:
Steak and ice cream
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Theater
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Ms. Suggs (1st grade teacher)
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Skiing
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Happy Gilmore
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Olivia Rodrigo
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Squid Game
FAVORITE APP:
Instagram
EXPLAIN ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I play the violin in the Duke String School Orchestra. I also like skiing, gymnastics and art.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
It has been challenging to practice and play a lot of golf while doing well in school. I have to stay up late a lot of times to finish homework and study for tests, but so far, I have been getting all A+’s!
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My mom
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
The most important shot in golf is the next one.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOUR GROW UP?
A doctor like my dad
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am a puppy-loving girl who loves to play golf and hang out with my friends.
