2023 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Jake Sheffield
Lenoir City
,
TN - Tennessee
Age: 14 - 15
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.
PLAYER RESIDENCE ON DAY OF NATIONAL FINALS:
Knoxville, TN
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
International Virtual Learning Academy (Homeschool)
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
9th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Green Meadows Country Club in Maryville, TN
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed but play and do everything else left handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
7 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
30 (9 holes), 63 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
0.1
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My dad's older brother Mike (who passed away last year) taught my dad to play golf when he was young. Dad passed on his love of golf to me starting at a local driving range. I fell in love with it and never stopped playing. Even though my Uncle Mike isn't with us any longer, I owe my love of this sport to him.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My dad is still my favorite playing partner. I met my best friend, Dylan Koates, at US Kids Red, White, and Blue event when he won. I came in second and love playing with him. I have tons of local friends that are always playing with me too.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Jason Gandy and my dad
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I love knowing that every time I go out there, it is always different and that when I practice enough I can see my progress.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
short game, chipping and putting
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The mental part has to be the toughest. Letting go of a bad hole and staying strong during a tough round.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
My putter
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Pinehurst No. 1 and Augusta National
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Winning Player of the Year for Sneds Tour (Tennessee junior golf foundation) and winning US Kids, Red, White, and Blue in Pinehurst shooting 10 under par for two days.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Don't put too much pressure on yourself to do well. Believe in your ability and have fun.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I like that you have only 9 shots so there's no room for error and also having the chance to compete at Augusta National.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Of course this year at Quail Hollow making all 3 putts to win by one point. Another memorable moment for me is not winning US Kids Red, White, and Blue in 2020, but coming in second in 2018 and meeting my best friend.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2016- Regional qualifier, 2017-2021- Made it to second round but no further.
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 watch it every year. 2 of my friends were there last year, Lucky Cruz and Hamilton Coleman. It just reminded me that I could get there too.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Putting, chipping, driving
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
No- My dad did back when Tiger won his first Masters and I've always envied him for that.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My Pinehurst No. 2 driver head cover
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 Tiger win the 2019 masters
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Rickie Fowler's comeback to win The Players Championship in 2015.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rickie Fowler. I've always liked the way he dresses, and he has a really cool personality. He's always friendly and I can tell he models himself after Arnold Palmer and his kindness to fans.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Sophia Schubert, because she's from Knoxville too and we practice at the same facility.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Harry Higgs is the coolest player because he's laid back and chill.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Rickie Fowler, Dylan Kotes( best friend) and Michael Jordan.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
My tees have to be in my right pocket and my ball and ball marker in the left
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
PGA 2k23
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Cheeseburgers from Five Guys, Chick-fil-A fries, honey bbq boneless wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, Dr. Pepper, and Cookie Two Step Blue Bell ice cream
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
History
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
My mom (I'm homeschooled)
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Football
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Top gun: Maverick
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Morgan Wallen
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
The Office
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I like to play video games and watch University of Tennessee sports along with the Atlanta Braves.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My dad
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
The best advice I've received is to remember there is life outside of golf. I have a tendency to become obsessed with golf 24 hours a day. Having other interests and hobbies help me balance out my life.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A professional golfer on the PGA Tour.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am goofy and love making people laugh. My family is the most important thing to me and I take every chance I get to hang out with my sisters and brother-in-law since they're grown and gone from the house. I am competitive, but a friendly competitor.
