2024 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Texas Terry
Manor
,
TX
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Boys
Region: Upper Midwest
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:
ShadowGlen Golf Club, Manor, Texas
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
5
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
18 holes: 60 (27/33) to win the 2023 Texas State Championship
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My parents registered me for group classes at TopGolf in Austin, Texas. The Director of Instruction, Coach Chris Taylor, made classes fun! I won my first tournament at TopGolf and was hooked!
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My granddad, Popa, taught my Dad how to play golf on the Dyess ("Die-is") Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. I learned to play golf tagging along with my Popa and Dad.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My Dad; the U.S Kids Golf Austin Tour Director, Neil Cheshire; and the Hyde Park Middle and High School players
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
John Sosa, former University of Texas golfer (and his son, Jacob Sosa, who is currently on The University of Texas Golf Team--and holds the lowest round record with a 61)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I love playing golf with my friends at beautiful courses all over the world. I met my best friend, William Comiskey from Illinois, at a golf tournament in the Dominican Republic. I traveled with another great friend, Pablo Mora, and stayed with his family at a tournament in Puerta Vallarta. I met my friend, Nathan Kok, at the 2019 World Championships and was delighted to play in his home country of South Africa at the 2023 Big Five South African Open and go on a safari.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
I like to practice my short game the most. You drive for show, you putt for dough! I like to practice up-and-downs, and I like putting games and challenges.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Accepting that no matter how hard you try, practice, and work, you can't hit every shot perfectly.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
My Scotty Cameron putter
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
After placing 5th at the U.S. Kids European Championship in Scotland, we woke up at 1:30 a.m. to stand in line to play at The Old Course at St. Andrews. My number was 22, and around noon, I was given a tee time. I loved playing The Old Course. My favorite hole is the Road Hole. I shot an Eagle on it! There is nothing like picking out letters on the hotel sign and hitting a blind shot over the hotel!
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
U.S. Kids World Champion and making it to the National Finals for Drive, Chip, & Putt
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Don't be afraid to try...everyone has a chance!
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes--Coach Sosa's PGA Jr League Team won the South Texas PGA Jr. League 13 and Under Section Championship this year.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEE?
Yes! First Tee Austin; I attend Coach Charles' Wednesday classes and mentor the other junior golfers at First Tee at the Harvey Penick Golf Campus.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
That junior golf is given national attention!
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
I chipped in at the local qualifier!
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
Yes: This was my 3rd time-in-a-row to make it to Regionals...and my first time to the 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?
Yes: My best friend is William Comiskey from Hinsdale, Illinois, competed in last year's DCP National Finals. While he was at Augusta, I was competing at the U.S. Kids Golf Big 5 Tournament in South Africa, and I watched William earn 3rd place in the National Finals on my computer! I think he could hear me all the way from South Africa, cheering him on!
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, Putting, and Chipping
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My golf ball has a #10 on it in honor of Vince Young and his outstanding performance in the 2006 National Championship game! Hook 'em!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
I have watched all of the Masters since I was born, but my favorite Masters was when Scottie Scheffler won in 2022. Being from Texas, I thought his 2023 menu for the Masters Club Dinner was spot on!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
My favorite golf memory was watching the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. I played Whistling Straits in May 2021, and chipped in for birdie on Hole 18. I loved cheering on Team USA (from home) and seeing them play the same holes that I played!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth...basically any current or former University of Texas golfer...Hook 'em Horns!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My favorite female golfer is Brooklyn Wendelken. She is about a year older than me and is from Texas. She was my first golf partner, and we won my first junior golf tournament shooting a 33. I enjoyed practicing with her, and she inspired me to compete in the US Kids Golf World Championships in Pinehurst, North Carolina, when I was 6 years old.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tommy Fleetwood: He has a cool accent and the best hair on Tour!
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
In 2023, I played in The 14th Annual Tee It Up for Cole Pittman Golf Tournament. Cole Pittman was a former University of Texas football player, who was tragically killed in an early morning car accident in 2001. To celebrate his life, former Longhorn football players organize a golf tournament to benefit an endowed scholarship. I played with Longhorn greats: Roy Williams, BJ Johnson, Sloan Thomas, and Kwame Cavil. I shot my 5th hole-in-one at the tournament, and those Longhorn Legends and Vince Young (who was on another team) signed a golf flag for me and presented it to me during the Awards Ceremony!
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
My dream foursome from the history of golf would be Donald Ross, Tommy Morris, and Harvey Penick.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
During warmups, before I tee off for a tournament, I have a music playlist that gets me pumped up and ready to play.
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
I like to play the challenge games with friends on Trackman and other launch monitors.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Texas BBQ: Brisket, fried okra, and Blue Bell chocolate ice cream
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Math
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Football
FAVORITE MOVIE:
"Miss Congeniality"--My mom used to be The University of Texas Feature Twirler while she earned her bachelor's, masters, and Ph.D., and she was the fire twirling stunt double at the end of the movie.
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Django ("Jango") Walker--my favorite song of his is "Texas Longhorns"
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Holey Moley with Rob Riggle, Joe Tessitore, and Stephen Curry....I can't wait for there to be a Holey Moley Kids Edition!
FAVORITE APP:
ESPN Fantasy Football
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I raise Texas Longhorns cattle. My Longhorns are very tame and loved to be brushed. One of my Longhorns was born in 2005, and we named him Vince in honor of Vince Young! I enjoy playing sports--flag football, pickleball, basketball, etc. I can play the ukelele and the snare drum.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I am not the biggest or tallest for my age, so I do not hit the ball as far as some of the other kids that I play with. I have had to compensate by focusing on my short game.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Harvey Penick: In 2023, my class assignment was to study a famous Texan. I selected Harvey Penick, and read his "Little Red Book." I also visited his grave and saw many golf balls placed on his grave as a token of appreciation for being such an extraordinary teacher of golf and life lessons. For my presentation about the great Harvey Penick, I dressed like him and brought his book to school for my friends to read.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Have a good attitude, try your best, and have fun!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A professional golfer or Josh Gates' new co-host for a TV show focused on global golf adventures.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am a funny and energetic boy who loves math, reading, exploring the world, leading a team, making new friends, and sharing prayers at my school’s chapel.
