Caroline Cui
Redwood City
,
CA
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Girls
Region: Northwest
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.
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
5th Grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Mariners Point Golf Center, Foster City, CA; The Golf Club at Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right Handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
6 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
31 (9 holes, USKG 2021 Northern California State Invitational)
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I have always watched my dad play golf when I was younger, so he introduced me to it later on.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I usually play with friends or my dad.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
My first golf coach was Christian Torres in Albany, NY. My second coach was Ron Sagara at Mariners Point in Foster City, CA. My current coach is Mike Kim at San Jose Country Club, CA.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I like seeing the ball sinking into the hole during putting and the ball in the air while driving.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
Putting because it is usually the way to end the hole.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The most difficult part of golf for me is handling bad shots. You need to control your mental state and not get frustrated when that happens.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
My favorite club would be the putter, followed by the driver and pitching wedge.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
My favorite golf course is The Hay at Pebble Beach and the Golf Club at Moffett Field.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Qualifying for National Finals is probably my biggest and greatest achievement so far.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I like the format because there are different levels of qualifiers to win in order to get to the finals.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
My first Subregional in 2021 at Spartan Golf Complex. My drive only added up to 6 points due to 2 OBs. I thought all hope was lost, but I kept on going, thinking I still had a chance. Later I did a great job on short game and was qualified for Regional at Pebble Beach with a score of 131.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
I participated in 2021. I made it to the regional at Pebble Beach as well, but ended up with the second place in girls 7-9.
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 a great event. I was motivated to come back to DCP this year.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Putting, driving, chipping.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
I have never been to the Masters before.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
I went to 2021 US Women's Open at Olympic club in San Francisco with my parents and friends. It was a great experience to watch the top women golfers play and got autographs.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Tiger Woods' comeback at the Masters.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
I like Rory McIlroy because I like his swing and I want to do the same thing.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
I like Rose Zhang because she is a hard worker.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods, because he won 5 Masters.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
I would like to play with Rose Zhang, Rory McIlroy and Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I usually like to pick my outfits depending on the day. I would choose my favorite outfit for the last round to end in style.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Steak and spaghetti meatballs
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Writing
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Ms. Baldonado at Redwood Shores Elementary School
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Swimming
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Coraline
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Sia
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
The Short Game
FAVORITE APP:
Kindle
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Three years ago I moved from Albany, NY to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was at the beginning of pandemic. I could not go to school in person. I did not have friends in my new place, and I could not attend any extra-curricular activities as I used to. So I practiced golf, went to tournaments and made good friends. I was not lonely anymore.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My mom and my grandma.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
"If you can't beat fear, just do it scared." -Glennon Doyle Melton.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A leader or an actress.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Funny, outgoing and humble.
