2023 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Logan McGinn
South Williamsport
,
PA
Age: 10 - 11
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.
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
Rommelt Elementary School, South Williamsport, PA
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
5th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Williamsport Country Club, Williamsport, PA
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
2 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
30 (9 holes), 65 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
2.4
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
As soon as I was old enough to walk I would go to the golf course with my Dad. He had only been playing golf for a few years and was obsessed with the game. I started out liking the game just because my Dad did, but I soon fell in love with the game and became obsessed too!
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My Dad introduced me to the game at an early age.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
The people I play golf with the most are my Dad, his friend Mike Mussina (yes, HOF'er Mike Mussina) and his son Peyton Mussina.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
My Dad is my main golf instructor/coach. I have had just a few lessons from a couple others to work on some very specific things that my Dad struggled to teach me.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
My favorite thing about playing golf is getting to travel all over the country to see new places and meet new people. Because of golf, I have friends all over the world!
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
My favorite thing to practice is my short game. I know that I am really good with my driver and irons but I know I can be great if I can dominate inside 100 yards and putt well.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The hardest part of golf to me is getting the ball to stop on the green with my long irons and woods.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
My custom Scotty Cameron that my parents and grandparents got me for Christmas!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
My favorite golf course that I have played is Pinehurst No. 2. My favorite golf course in all of the world is Augusta National.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Winning the DCP Regional Final at Oak Hill CC and qualifying for National Finals has to be at the top of the list.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
I would say try your best and even if you do bad in a skill, don't give up.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
This year was the first year I participated in PGA Jr League
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
My favorite part about Drive, Chip and Putt is you only have 9 shots so you don't have a lot of time to make up a mistake. The pressure to perform is on and I like that feeling.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
The last two years I lost in the regional final and didn't want to experience that feeling for a 3rd time, so I practiced really hard at all 3 skills and it really paid off. I scored my 2 highest point totals ever in this years local and subregional. Then, at the Regional Final, I started off great with 2 really good drives. However, my 3rd drive missed the grid. I just remembered what my Dad and talked about on the way up to Rochester that you can make up for a bad drive with 3 good chips and putts. That settled me down, and on my very next shot, I almost holed my chip and that got me right back in the game!
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2019: Won my local qualifier and missed 2nd place at sub-regional by 1 point.
2021: Won my local qualifier, finished 2nd at Aronimink for the sub-regional and finished 3rd overall at Oakmont in the Regional Final.
2022: I won the local qualifier, finished 2nd at the sub-regional and then lost to my buddy Landon Tudor in the Regional Final at Oak Hill. This year I got my revenge at Oak Hill!!!!
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?
Absolutely. I haven't missed a DCP National Final in my life I don't think.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Putting, Chipping, Driving
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
No, not yet. Cannot wait!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My favorite golf accessory is probably my putter cover from the Cradle at Pinehurst! That place is so cool.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
My favorite Masters Memory has to be a pair of moments because they are tied together. I know I wasn't born in 1997, but I have seen probably every top Masters moment on YouTube a million times. Tiger winning in 1997 and giving his Dad a big hug then Tiger winning in 2019 and giving Charlie a hug are my all-time favorite Masters moments because my Dad and I have a special bond thanks to the game of golf. I could almost cry thinking about giving my Dad a big hug after I win the Masters someday!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Choosing one favorite memory watching golf is so hard but my favorite memory has to be when my favorite golfer, Jordan Spieth, holed out from the bunker in the 2017 Travelers Championship for birdie on the 1st playoff hole to win the tournament! Walkoff!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Jordan Spieth is my favorite male golfer for so many reasons. He approaches the game with intelligence. He is very analytical like I am. He comes across as very honest and humble. His memory is unreal the way he can talk about not just every shot within a round but all of the variables at the moment of each shot and describe why he chose to do what he did in that moment. Most importantly, I like the way he interacts with everyone; his family, fans, fellow players and the media. I have not had a chance to spend time with him and talk in depth yet but have met him with high fives a few different times. Watching him in person is always one of my favorite things to do.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My favorite female golfer is probably Amari Avery. It was the Netflix documentary, The Short Game, that made me learn about competitive junior golf and realize that you don't have to be an adult to be good at golf. It was that documentary that made me fall in love with the game of golf. I want to be the best golfer of all time, and it can start by being the best junior golfer and then collegiate golfer like she has done!
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
The coolest player in golf has to be Justin Thomas. "I love me some Me!" He always looks sharp in the Greyson clothes, he has swag and confidence in himself and his game. JT is bad bad man!
HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
The most famous person I have played golf with is probably Mike Mussina. He is a former NYY and BAL pitcher and an inductee into the Baseball HOF. He is from our hometown and a member of our home club. He and my Dad are league partners and really good friends so I get to play with him a lot!
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
My dream foursome would be with Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth. Sorry Dad!
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I don't have any superstitions really. Just make sure that warm up routine, pre-shot routines and self talk are consistent no matter what tournament or event I play in.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
Yes, I have to get golf in somehow when the weather doesn't cooperate! I have an Xbox and even won a virtual tournament once that Hurricane Junior Golf Tour put on during covid. The game I play the most is PGA Tour 2K but I am looking forward to the new EA Sports game coming out soon!
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
My Champions Dinner menu will be a seafood buffet! I love lobster, shrimp, scallops, crab, haddock and salmon! It will have a mashed potato bar with all different toppings. Then, I will have a soft serve ice cream machine so all of the past champions can create their own sundae for dessert!
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
My favorite school subject has always been Math but I am really enjoying Social Studies this year
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Mr. G, our gym teacher is my favorite!
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
In addition to golf, I play 3 other sports; basketball, football and baseball. My favorite sport (other than golf) is definitely basketball.
FAVORITE MOVIE:
My favorite movie is Happy Gilmore because its super funny and about golf.
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
My favorite music group is Imagine Dragons. I listen to them all the time before games and tournaments.
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
My favorite is King of Queens. Doug and Arthur are so funny.
FAVORITE APP:
Accuweather is my favorite app. I love learning about the weather plus it helps me know what the weather is going to be so I can make plans to golf!
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I am proud to be a multisport athlete. I am also proud of the fact that I do really well in school. In 4th grade I won the Senator Yaw Good Citizenship Award which is awarded to one student that demonstrated qualities of good citizenship through display of character, leadership, scholarship, and acceptance of responsibility. I also won the President's Award for Educational Excellence. So far this year, my lowest grade is a 99 and my highest grade is a 104!
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Luckily, I haven't had any big personal obstacles that I have had to overcome. As a golfer, the biggest obstacle I face is living in Northcentral PA and not getting to golf all winter long unless we travel south. Plus, there really aren't any other junior golfers close by so I always have to play/practice by myself or with my Dad.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My parents are my role models because they always encourage and inspire me to be the best I possibly can be in everything I do. They also make so many sacrifices so that I can have every opportunity possible to achieve my dreams and goals.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
My dad has two sayings we always talk about; big doors swing on little hinges and output equals input. They help me focus on the small things that make a big impact and work really hard at everything I do.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I want to be a professional golfer and win more tournaments than Tiger Woods and more Majors than Jack Nicklaus.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Best way to describe me is that I am a 10 year old athlete in the 5th grade who is passionate about golf. I love the game and dream of playing professionally someday. I love my family more than anything and am so thankful for their support as I chase my dream every single day.
