Joseph Morinelli
Crozet
,
VA
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Boys
Region: Middle Atlantic
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'S PREFERRED FIRST NAME:
Joe
PLAYER BIRTHPLACE:
Augusta, Georgia
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Western Albemarle High School Crozet Va
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
9th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Birdwood, Charlottesville Va
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
3 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
5 under (9 holes), 5 under (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
2.2
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I was born in Augusta, Georgia, and my family was very active in the local golf community. I always wanted to be with my brothers and dad when they were playing golf. I was only allowed to go with them to the course when I was able keep up with them, so I learned golf really quick!
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My father
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I play golf with my father, brothers and friends.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Bill Fedder, Matt Collins, Adam Rushin
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
The challenge to continually improve my game.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
The driver
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Putting is challenging.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
9 iron
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Ocean Course - Kiawah, S.C.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Qualifying for Drive Chip and Putt at Augusta National
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Stay committeed to your goal.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I like the different format of the tournament and the reward of Augusta National.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Making the 30-foot putt to advance to National Finals.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2016-57, 2017-44, 2018-80, 2019-115, 2021-114, 2022-161
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?
I knew I had to qualify to compete in my hometown of Augusta, Georgia . It would be my last time to qualify due to my age.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, chipping, putting
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Yes, I was at the 2019 Masters.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My favorite golf accessory is a Sea Island ball maker.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
When Charlie Hoffman gave me a golfball at the 2019 Masters.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
My favoroite memory is watching my coach Bill Fedder hit a hole in one to win a Cadaillac sedan at the PPC tournament in 2022.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Justin Thomas is my favorite golfer becuase he has an enthuastic personailty and is fun to watch.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My favorite female golfer is Lexi Thompson becuase she is fun to watch.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
My dream foursome whould be John Daly, Tiger Woods and Jordan Speith.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I always need to have my Sea Island ball marker during my tournaments.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
I play 2K21.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
I would serve Wagyu filet, my moms pesto gnocchi, green beans, Tiramisu and Sprite.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
My favorite class in school is wood shop class.
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Mr. Maynard my PE teacher.
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
I enjoy palying basketball.
FAVORITE MOVIE:
My favorite movie is Happy Gilmore.
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
My favorite is Drake.
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
My favorite TV show is Outer Banks.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I am very interested in geography and traveling with my family.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
An obstacle I over came was moving away from both sets of grandparents in Augusta, Georgia. My family is very close and I had to learn how to live away from them when I was 6 years old.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My role model is my grandfather Tony, who has taught me to be strong and not to quit even when life is hard. He is battling terminal cancer and his goal and dream is to watch me compete at Augusta National DCP.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Stay focused and dont blow up!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I want to be a cardiovascular perfusionist like my mother.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am the 4th child in my family. I was born in Augusta, Georgia and attended Augusta Christian School until I moved away in 2013. My siblings are older than me but we are all very close. My family and grandparents are very important to me. I love animals. My favorite pet was my breaded dragon her name was "lizzo". I enjoy going to golf camp at Junior Players camp in Hilton Head every summer . I have met kids from all over the world at camp. I love going to school, playing golf and hanging with my friends.
