Ava Gilbart
Toronto
,
ON
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Girls
Region: Great Lakes
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.
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
De La Salle College, Toronto, Ontario
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
6th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Summit Golf Club, Richmond Hill, Ontario
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Left handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
7 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
36 (9 holes) 71 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
9
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I started playing golf with my older brother Lucas. Playing with him and with my family has always been fun. I then began playing tournaments which I also found challenging and fun.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My brother Lucas introduced golf to me. We enjoy playing for fun but also competing with one another. We celebrate our wins together but also support each other through rough days. He plays really well and is passionate about golf. He is fearless and so am I. He can turn a bad lie into birdies.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I normally play golf with my family.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Sean Burke
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I enjoy the challenge of golf, and seeing where my shots end up. I also enjoy spending time in nature.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
I enjoy chipping, as it is satisfying to chip from far away and to get the ball close to the hole.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Golfing in the rain, or lots of weather changes during a round. This makes the conditions challenging.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
My hybrid, because it is consistent and goes far.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
The Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club in South Australia. It is a golf course in desert conditions, that you can play at night with glow in the dark golf balls. They spray oil on the ground to keep dust from flying up while playing. I would love to play there some day.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Competing in the world championships, and making it to Augusta for the Drive Chip and Putt National Finals.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Practice a lot, but make it fun. Make up your own games to keep it interesting, and challenge yourself. Do not forget to reward yourself with a cookie or ice cream.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I enjoy being able to play at different golf clubs against great golfers and to travel to different places. I loved competing at Scioto Country Club in Ohio. I enjoyed the tour giving us the history behind the club. I was able to see old trophies, pictures and memorabilia, including of Jack Nicklaus when he was young. That was motivating.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
At the Regional Qualifier I saw that my score was leading mid-way through the competition, but the phone died as I waited. I did not know my result until people started looking over at me. I was very surprised.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
In 2019 I played at a local qualifier. In 2021 I made it to a subregional qualifier.
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 was great to see kids my age playing so well, and made me want to practice. It was exciting in 2021 to see my friend Alexis Card win the National Finals. It was motivating, and I wondered if maybe it could be me playing there someday.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, putting, driving.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
No
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My gopher headcover is my favorite accessory. It reminds me of a course I played that had lots of gophers popping up all over the course. Thinking of those gophers makes me laugh, and keeps me relaxed in tournaments.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
Watching the Masters tournament with my family as the players play the back 9 on Sunday. I was young but I know that Brooke Henderson won the 2016 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
I loved watching seagulls steal golf balls off the green from professional players!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Jordan Spieth. He is a great young talented golfer. He has won a lot of tournaments and has a great short game.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Brooke Henderson. She has won the most tournaments of any Canadian golfer. She plays all aspects of the game so well, and she is very consistent.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Brooke Henderson. She is talented and calm on the golf course. I like her positive attitude, and how she is always smiling. She always looks happy, and I feel that I am similar in that I am always happy on the course when I play.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Brooke Henderson, Jordan Spieth, and Jack Nicklaus
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I use an old rusty ball marker from Seaview. I don't want to change it out as it brings me luck. Once in a tournament I lost it, so my caddy had to run back and retrieve it from the previous hole.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
Infinite golf
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Filet of sole fish, mashed potatoes, carrots and steamed broccoli. Chocolate mousse cake, but in shape of peach to represent Georgia
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Social studies
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Ms. Pellegrino, Mr. Mason
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Soccer
FAVORITE MOVIE:
The Sound of Music
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Cody Johnson, Olivia Rodriquez
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Survivor
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Tennis, soccer, cross country, Lego, treeplanting, fundraising for juvenile arthritis, playing guitar. I enjoy trying new activities.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I injured my right wrist this spring, and was in a cast which was removed in June. Three weeks before my local qualifier I started holding and swinging a club. I was determined to get back to my golf season, so I did a lot of extra physical therapy exercises on my own. I felt fortunate to be able to compete in the Drive Chip and Putt, and to qualify for the National Finals.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Brooke Henderson / my brother Lucas
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Never give up. Practice makes perfect.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Veterinarian, golfer, or a spy.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Funny, energetic, intelligent, brave, curious. I like to laugh and have fun. I get along with everybody. I am organized, and determined. I like school and do really well in it, which I am proud of. I like to try new things.
