2022 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Leo Saito
Hilo
,
HI
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Boys
Region: Southwest
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:
Hilo, Hawaii
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
St. Joseph School in Hilo, Hawaii
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
5th
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Hilo Municipal Golf Course / Hilo, Hawaii
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
7
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
33/69
HANDICAP INDEX:
6.5
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I started watching golf on TV with my grandfather.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My mom
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My mother and brother
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Troy Sato
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I like the feeling of the competition.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
Chipping!
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Waking up sooo early in the morning!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
56 degree wedge
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Hualalai Golf Club, Big Island, Hawaii
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
I was the U.S. Kids Hawaii State Champion in 2021. Also qualifying for the DCP National Finals this year.
LOCAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Hualalai Golf Club, Big Island, Hawaii, 3rd place. I tanked the putting and got only four points, but my chipping and driving helped me qualify!
SUBREGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Kapolei Golf Club, Oahu, Hawaii. I just made it by two points!
REGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
TPC Scottsdale, Arizona. It rained in Arizona!
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 watched it on the Golf Channel. I thought, "Wow! Kids can go to the Masters!?"
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?
The last Masters Tiger Woods won, when Collin Morikawa won the PGA in 2020 and when Phil Mickelson chipped in from the bunker this year at Kiawah.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
When Jon Rahm skipped to a hole-in-one on No. 16
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods, because he is a winner.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tiger is the coolest because he doesn't choke.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
The most famous player I ever played with was Chi Chi's grandniece.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Wearing my Tiger Woods golf cap. It's my lucky hat.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIEDO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?:
Everyone's Golf
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?:
Sushi and steak (my surf and turf)
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Math
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Mrs. Nalani
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Basketball
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Finding Nemo
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Bon Jovi
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Scooby Doo (Original '60s)
FAVORITE APP:
YouTube
FAVORITE EMOJI:
Happy Face
EXPLAIN ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I can sleep anywhere, any time.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Tiger Woods.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Trust yourself
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOUR GROW UP?
A professional golfer
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I'm crazy about golf!
