Michael DePalma Jr.
Ocean City
,
MD
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Boys
Region: Middle Atlantic
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 FIRST AND LAST NAME PRONUNCIATION:
Michael Dee-Palm-a
HOMETOWN:
Ocean City, MD
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Worcester Preparatory School, Berlin, MD
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
9th
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Glen Riddle Golf Course, Berlin, MD
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
10
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
32/9, 67/18
HANDICAP INDEX:
3.1
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My dad and grandfather started taking me golfing and it was fun.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad and grandfather
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My dad, grandfather and friends
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
How it mentally challenges you and how you have to think about every shot
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
Wedges
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Being focused for the entire round
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
60 degree wedge
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Wolf Creek in Mesquite, NV
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Qualifying for the Drive Chip and Putt as well as being Golf Player of the Year for my conference as a Freshman
LOCAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Shore Club in Cape May, NJ/ 2nd place/A memorable moment was it was my first time ever competing in Drive Chip and Putt so I didn't know what to expect. I barely qualified for the next round.
SUBREGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, NJ/ 2nd place with a score of 127/ A memorable moment was how I was just happy to make it to the second round and to make it through was such a great feeling. I didn't think I qualified since my first drive was out-of-bounds.
REGIONAL QUALIFYING SITE / RESULTS / MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY/ 1st place with a score of 153/ A memorable moment was getting all three of my drives in and lipping out on my second chip.
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?
It was the first time I watched, and it inspired me to compete since it was my last year of eligibility.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, chipping then putting
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
I have never been before and I can't wait to go.
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 again in 2019
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Watching the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straights
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Brooks Koepka, because of how nonchalant he is and he's clutch under pressure.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My mom. She doesn't play a lot, but when she plays, it's so much fun.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Bryson DeChambeau, because he hits bombs.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
The GM Golf Crew (Garrett Clark, Matt Scharff, Stephen Castaneda)
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
If you're playing good with a jacket on, the jacket stays on for the whole round. Whatever is working, I stay with it.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?:
Ruth's Chris steak with boardwalk french fries
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
History
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Mrs. Bescak or Mrs. Shimko
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Basketball
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Marvel movies
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Lincoln Park
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Impractical Jokers
FAVORITE APP:
Instagram
FAVORITE EMOJI:
Thumbs up
EXPLAIN ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Surfing. We live pretty close to the beach and I surf most of the year.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My dad
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
"Don't give up, don't ever give up," -Jimmy Valvano
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOUR GROW UP?
Pro golfer, but my back up plan is being a dentist
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Energetic, athletic, smart and sociable.
