Ariel Collins
Locust Grove
,
GA
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Girls
Region: Southeast
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.
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Heron Bay Golf Course in Locust Grove, GA
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right Handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
3
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
65
HANDICAP INDEX:
2.1
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
Going to the golf course with my father.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
Mom & Dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
Friends
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Coach Willie Smith
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I like the challenges along the way and that there’s always something to learn from.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
I like to practice my short game because it's one of the most important parts of the game.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Having to keep a strong mindset after every shot no matter what happens.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
Driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Pinehurst No. 6
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
My best achievement in golf so far is winning the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship 2020 & 2021 in Pinehurst, NC.
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 US Women's Open Qualifier at Druid Hills Golf Club on May, 15, 2023 85-81
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
I would tell them to never give and to keep practicing because you can't expect to do something without practice.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN LPGA/USGA GIRLS GOLF?
Yes
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEE?
Yes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I wanted to participate in DCP because it's one of my main goals.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
The memorable moment from local qualifying is being able to play at the home base of First Tee of Metro Atlanta, John A. White. And my subregional qualifying was at TPC Sugarloaf, and I have played multiple tournaments at that golf course over the years. And my regional qualifier was at Sea Island golf club and a memorable moment for my qualifying round was it rained through all my skills, specifically driving.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 stop at sub-regional round in all. 2022 stopped at local qualifying. 2023 DCP National Finals
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?
Last year's DCP National Finals encouraged me to want to keep working and qualify to get to the National Finals.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, Chipping, Putting
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Yes, I have been to the Masters before to watch some friends compete in DCP in 2022.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
Sun visor
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 was Tiger Woods winning back-to-back masters 2001 & 2002 I have seen lots of highlights.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Tiger Woods "Better than most" putt on Hole No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass in 2000
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods because of how he paved the way for young African American golfers.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Caroline Inglis - She is my favorite LPGA Player because I met her at a Renee Powell Fundraiser event and we both were hitting drives for the players. So, when I'm struggling with my golf game, I can always shoot her a quick text.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Dustin Johnson, because he walks with swagger.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
Yes, I have played with Chris Tucker, and it was at his charity golf tournament.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Tiger Woods, Stephen Curry, Nelly Korda
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I always must play with my Birdie Time ball marker.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
WGT Golf, Golf Battle
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Seafood Alfredo, Salmon, and Broccoli
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Math
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Aaron Brown (Math Teacher)
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Basketball
FAVORITE MOVIE:
The Short Game
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Drake
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Jeffersons
FAVORITE APP:
Google
FAVORITE EMOJI:
👍
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Computer Science
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My Mom
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
It's not over when you lose it's over when you quit.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
LPGA Professional Golfer and also have my own computer science company.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
Kind, Easy going, Curious, Respectful, Competitive, and Helpful
