Robert Melendez
Ann Arbor
,
MI
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Boys
Region: Great Lakes
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:
Robbie
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
King Elementary, Ann Arbor, Michigan
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
5th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Polo Fields Golf and CC-Ann Arbor
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Left handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
2 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
64 (18 holes)
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My sisters are golfers and I became interested in golf watching them play, practice and compete.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My sisters, they are competitive golfers
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I play golf with my father and sisters.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Dave Kendall
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I like to hit the ball really far.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
I enjoy practicing pitching because I can try different shots and trajectories.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The most difficult part is staying composed and positive on the golf course.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
My driver.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Mid Pines, Pinehurst, NC
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Placing second in the USKids Golf World Championships after a 6 hole playoff.
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
I played in the PGA Junior League summer 2020. I enjoyed competing with my sister on a team.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Keep fighting if you make a mistake. I hit one of my shots out of bounds, but I finished strong to win the spot.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes, Polo Fields Team, Summer 2020
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I enjoy the excitement in the air of Augusta. I also enjoy meeting all the kids from all over.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
My most memorable was in the regional qualifier when I hit all my chips within 2 feet.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
I competed twice and each time made it to the regional qualifier.
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?
Watching the kids compete at Augusta made me realize I could also do it. I realized that I even played with some of the kids which gave me confidence to keep trying out.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, Chipping, Putting
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
I like my headcover it is a shark and sharks are my favorite animal.
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 is watching Tiger win the Masters in 2019, it was very exciting and fun to watch with my family.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
My favorite is watching Tiger win the Masters in 2019, it was very exciting and fun to watch with my family.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods because he has overcome challenges to continue to have success in golf.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Danielle Kang because she was nice to my sisters when they volunteered at the Volvik tournament. She even let my sister use her driver and putter.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tony Fineau because he has cool fashion and a great victory dance.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Tiger, Rory, Jordan Spieth
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I won some of my biggest tournaments in the same outfit, so I always wear it on the final day of a golf round.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
I play the Tiger Woods WII EA Sports and WII Sports.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Plain Cheeseburgers (no ketchup/mustard) and fries
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
My favorite subject is math because I like the challenges to figure out tough questions.
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Mrs. Gatonez, she was my kindergarten teacher and so nice and friendly.
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Soccer
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Angry Birds 2
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Spiritual Tony
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Lego Starwars
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I am the team striker for my travel soccer team. My soccer team currently holds the state cup championship title in Michigan. I also run competitive track. I am currently the AAU-Region-12 Champion in the 100 and 200 meter dash. I qualified into the Junior Olympics Track tournament, but decided to compete at the USKids Golf World Championship, where I placed second with an overall score of -12.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I did not receive enough points to compete at the USKids Golf World Championship this past summer. I wanted to play in the tournament, because I participated since I was age 6. I was excited to hear about a qualifier into the event through the Veterans Golf Association, and the winner of the qualifier would get to compete in the world championship. I worked very hard in the off season and summer to prepare for the qualifier, and my hard work played off. Not only did I win the qualifier, I placed second in the world championship.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My sisters are by biggest role models. They taught me a lot and I admire their competitiveness on the golf course.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Talent is nothing without work, Ronaldo
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I would like to be a scientist or professional athlete.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I love sports and am a triple athlete in golf, soccer and track. I love math and science and enjoy reading books. I enjoy playing golf with my family and have been part of a golf family since I was a baby.
