2022 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Martha Kuwahara
Northbrook
,
IL
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Girls
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:
Northbrook, IL
PLAYER BIRTHPLACE:
Osaka, Japan
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Woodoaks Jr High, Northbrook, IL
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
8th
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
The Glen Club, Glenview, IL
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
10
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
70 (-2)
HANDICAP INDEX:
0.8
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I saw my grandpa and my brother playing golf, and they looked like they were having a lot of fun while playing golf.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My brother
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My friends
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Swing coach: Chris Oehlerking Putting: Louis Sauer
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Being able to socialize with people and to learn more about nature
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
Chipping ; creating words with balls
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Playing 18 without any mistakes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
58 degree
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Placed 5th in US kids teen world championship
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
To be able to go to Augusta and seeing the course where many pros play
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
In my sub-regional qualifier, I chipped in on my second chip. Also in my sub-regional, a lot of my friends were participating so we cheered each other on.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
Two years ago, I made it to the sub-regional.
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 looked like everyone was having fun at the National which made me want to participate.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, putting then 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?
When Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese player to win the Masters.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
When Hideki Matsuyama made an eagle on the 18th hole to win in Hawaii
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Hideki Matsuyama, because he gives me the hope that a Japanese person can be on top of the golf world
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Hinako Shibuno, because in her tournaments, she is always smiling even if it is a close tournament
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods, because even after not being able to play well for years, he still came back and started to play amazing again
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Tiger Woods, Hideki Matsuyama and Lexi Thompson
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
When I play with a ribbon, I play well. When I wear something with red, I play well too.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Sushi
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Science
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Mr. Lucht
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Track and gymnastics
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Your Name
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
LiSA
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Kimetsu no yaiba (Demon Slayer)
FAVORITE APP:
TikTok
FAVORITE EMOJI:
Smiley face
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Modeling and acting
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Learning how to speak English. I came to this country when I was six and I couldn’t understand anything.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My grandpa
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
You should never compare yourself to others.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOUR GROW UP?
Actress
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I'm Japanese and I love anime. I love playing golf and I want to be an actress in the future. I love hanging out with my friends and to make edits. I wish that the people who are six feet tall could donate me some inches.
