2022 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Ledius Felipe
Poplar Grove
,
IL
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Boys
Region: Upper Midwest
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.
PLAYER'S HOMETOWN
Poplar Grove, Illinois
PLAYER'S BIRTHPLACE:
Rockford, Illinois
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
North Boone Upper Elementary - Poplar Grove, Illinois
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
6th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Never had a membership. Only practices at public golf ranges, normally Aldeen at Rockford and Timber Pointe in Poplar Grove, IL
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
1 year old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
34 for 9 holes and 84 for 18 holes
HANDICAP INDEX:
14.4
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My mother said that I was one-year-old playing in the family room while my dad was watching the Masters. I suddenly stopped playing and sat for two or three hours watching the Masters. Then I stood up and started swinging. The next day, my parents bought plastic clubs and I would swing them every day and sometimes sleep with my clubs before waking up and swinging again.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad who was still learning to play at the time
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I normally play golf by myself. All my close friends don't play.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Currently Travis Becker from Beloit Country Club in Wisconsin and Chris French from Aldeen Golf Course in Rockford, Illinois.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
It is a peaceful and relaxing game with a lot of fresh air.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
I like to practice my driver because I want to improve my distance.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
For me, it is putting because you have to read the green and make an exact aim and speed and have to commit to that choice.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
The driver, because I think I can hit the ball really far.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
I would like to play someday at the Old Course in St. Andrews.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
My biggest achievement in golf so far is to be a Drive Chip and Putt National Finalist.
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
Yes, PGA Junior League since 2017. In 2017, I was in the PGA All-Star Team at age 7 and qualified for sub-regionals, and again in 2021 at age 11. My partner and I shot one-under and qualified for the sub-regional again.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes, 2017 to 2021
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEE?
Yes, in 2016 and 2017.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
My favorite thing is that it was competitive and fun to compete with others.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
In the local qualifier at Beloit Club, I thought I lost because of how low my score was. I finished 3rd. In the sub-regional at The Legend at Bergamont, I made my 6 and 15-foot putt and finished 1st. I holed one of my chips and finished 1st in driving and chipping in the regional at Medinah.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
Yes, 2017 - I was able to go to the sub-regional. 2018 - I did not qualify for sub-regional. 2019 - I qualified for sub-regional and finished third.
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, it seemed exciting, fun and nerve-racking, but I got the feeling of wanting to be there and participate in DCP.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Putting, chipping and driving
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 2020 Masters when Dustin Johnson won and the 2021 Women's US Open when Yuka Saso won.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
The 2021 Travelers open - watching the sudden-death playoff between Harris English and Kramer Hickok.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rory McIlroy, because of the golf game on playstation 4. I always use his character and always win. He has an amazing golf swing.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Yuka Saso - because she is the first golfer from the Philippines to win the US Open.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Patrick Cantlay - because his nickname is Patty Ice.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
No, but I would like to just shake hands with Rory and Tiger.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Tiger Woods
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I always wear my lucky gray flat cap when I play golf. I feel good when I wear my flat cap. I always wear long soccer socks and bring my stuffed toy "Pan-pan" the panda on competitions.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
Yes, PlayStation 4 EA sports golf.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Medium rare steak, lobster and sushi/sashimi
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Math and science
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Mrs. Streed, my 5th-grade science teacher
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Soccer, basketball, cycling and swimming
FAVORITE MOVIE:
I like World War II movies. The Pianist, Enemy at the Gates, 1917, Saving Private Ryan etc...
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, Sub Urban, Trevor Daniel and 24kgoldn.
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Girls Und Panzer, Tomorrow With You, Hometown Cha and most Korean romantic comedies
FAVORITE APP:
Youtube, Roblox, Spotify and TikTok
FAVORITE EMOJI:
Panda emoji
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I love to play soccer, basketball, cycling, swimming, and play the piano. My favorite composer is Chopin. I also like dancing and singing. I'm also interested in war tanks and history.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I was always getting sick when I was a toddler and having surgeries at ages 1 and 2. I had to take a strong pneumococcal vaccine and keep busy with swimming, golf, soccer and basketball to improve my immune system for better health.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Elon Musk and Nikola Tesla
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Practice beats talent.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOUR GROW UP?
Work for NASA or be a PGA professional golfer.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I love sports, playing video games with my friends, going fishing with my dad and traveling. I like playing my piano when I feel tired and try to relax. I am quiet and timid sometimes, but I also like to compete and win. I love knowledge in math, science and history, and I can't sleep without my stuffed panda Panpan!
