2023 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Ben Patel
North Aurora
,
IL
Age: 12 - 13
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 BIRTHPLACE:
Winfield, IL
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Homeschool
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
7th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Black Sheep Golf Club
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
9 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
68 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
+0.6
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
Attended a local golf camp and won the putting contest. Won a full set of clubs! Also playing a lot with dad.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
Dad: Jay Patel
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My brother Luke, my dad, my friend Blake, and PGA JR team
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Kevin Weeks
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Mastering the swing and competing with the best
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
Wedges
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Missing in the right spots
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
Putter
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Black Sheep Golf Course (Home)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
PGA Jr. Nationals 2022, Team Illinois winning stroke play and qualifying for Augusta this year.
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
PGA Jr. Nationals - Team Illinois
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS
Hit the drives in and figure it out from there
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes, made it to National Championship this year. Team Illinois
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Going to Augusta National
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Getting to regionals alongside my brother Luke in a different age group
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2011 - Didn't get to Subregional
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, my friend Michael Jorski won his age group - it was fun to watch!
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Putting, Chipping, Driving
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
No, I cannot wait!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
Tiger winning by 12 strokes in the 1997 Masters
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Watching Justin Thomas win the PGA Championship
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Justin Thomas, because of his shot shaping
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Michelle Wie, she came to PGA Jr. Nationals
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tom Kim, because he is passionate
HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
Played with Tony Finau's son in the PGA JR. Nationals. Tony was watching and cheering us on.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Tom Kim, Justin Thomas, and Bryson DeChambeau
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
PGA Tour 2k21
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Chicken Tenders and Fries
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Math
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Homeschool
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Ready Player One
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Good Good (youtube)
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Drawing
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Justin Thomas
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
The most important shot is the next shot
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Professional golfer
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am hard working and I like to master skills, especially golf.
