2023 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Hudson Justus
Gainesville
,
GA
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Boys
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:
Mt. Vernon Elementary- Gainesville, Georgia
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
5th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Chattahoochee Golf Course- Gainesville, Georgia
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
3 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
29 (Lowest Tournament 9) , 67 (Lowest tournament 18), 62 (Local course 18)
HANDICAP INDEX:
plus 1, scratch
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
Dad took me when he played with his friends when I was little. I wanted to play tournaments after watching The Short Game on Netflix.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My Dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My Dad, My friends at Chattahoochee Golf Course, and pretty much anyone looking to play.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
George Hunt
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Competition and the friends I am able to make. Traveling to all the cool different golf courses.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
My wedges because I believe that is how you get it close to score.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Course management
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
60 degree wedge
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Pinehurst because I have played there. I would say Augusta National but I haven't gotten to play all of those holes yet.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Winning the Future Masters for 10u age group at age 9. Also, winning back to back US Kids World Championships. Now, also making it to the DCP National Finals at Augusta National.
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. league- my team made it to the regionals.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Practice makes progress and never stop trying.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Seeing your friends and the cool courses.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Making the 6-foot putt at Quail Hollow and realizing that got me to Augusta National.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2018- Local 4th place, 2019- Subregional 3rd place, 2021- Regional runner-up, 2022- Finals at Augusta
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, I watched my friend Kylie Chung win the championship. I knew that I had to get to Augusta National.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
I don't like to think of any one skill as weaker or stronger. I want to be good at all 3.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Yes, 2022- Tuesday practice round. I thought the practice grounds grass was fake it was so plush!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
I collect golf bags (10) like women collect purses. I also like to match my headcovers with my bags.
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've only seen the Masters in person. I got autographs from several University of Georgia golfers. I really want one from my favorite golfer, Justin Thomas.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Justin Thomas's hole in one on 16 of the Masters in 2019 on the final round.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Justin Thomas- He sent me a video after my first round of US Kids world championships when I was leading.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Nelly Korda- because my Mom likes her.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tommy Aaron 1973 Masters Champion- he is from my home town and home course. I have played with him a few times
HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
Tommy Aaron 1973 Masters champion- I saw him and he just asked if he could play with me and my friend. Then he did the same thing with me and my Dad.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Yes, if I eat before the hole and I make a birdie then I eat more on the next hole. If I don't then I don't eat anymore until I do.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Cheese stick appetizer, Filet Mignon Steak, Salad with Ranch dressing, Broccoli, Sweet potato
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Basketball, but truly anything sports related
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My Father
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
You cannot go back and hit the last shot again. So, focus on the next shot.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Professional Golfer
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am outgoing, focused, and competitive. I try not to aggravate my sister, but sometimes it's just too tempting.
