2025 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Blake Ayuso
Cypress
,
Texas
Age: 7 - 9
Gender: Boys
Region: South Central
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 BIRTHPLACE:
Houston, Texas
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Blackhorse Golf Club, Cypress Texas
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
2
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
31 in 9 holes/62 in 18 holes
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I come from a family of golfers. My mom played in college for Vanderbilt and professionally. My dad carries a single-digit handicap. My mom bought me a set of plastic clubs when I was two years old that I used to hit plastic balls around the house. I also wanted to tag along with my dad and my older brother, Andrew, who is also an excellent golfer.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My mom and dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My mom, dad and brothers
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
EJ Kim
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I love the competition. I am very competitive in everything I do but I love competing in golf most. I also love to hit the ball hard and to see how far I can hit it.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Putting on fast greens is difficult. It takes a lot of practice to read fast greens and see how they will break.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
Driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Augusta National
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Winning multiple regional and national tournaments and qualifying for the Drive, Chip and Putt.
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
Southern Texas PGA Junior Championship. I have won this three times.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
I would tell them to keep trying because you never know what can happen.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes, I have in previous years.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I love that you have the opportunity to go to Augusta National Golf Club and to be on the same course where the tour pros play.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
I won the drive part of the competition each time.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2022, did not advance to sub-regional. 2023, advanced to sub-regional.
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, I watched it. I was motivated to practice really hard after seeing someone I know, my friend Texas Terry, win the National Finals in his division.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, chipping, putting in that order.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
I love my golf hats and I like to wear crazy looking hats with unique patterns.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My dad because he hits it far like me.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My mom, because she taught me how to play golf.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
I have not played with anyone famous yet. I did meet Tiger Woods at the PNC Championship in 2022 and he was nice enough to take a cool picture with me and my brother. He talked to us during the practice round because he recognized my mom, who played in the same junior tournaments with him.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Mom, dad, brothers
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I love my crazy hats and I like to wear them all the time.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Lobster
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I am a good basketball player and flag football player. I am also a good student in school and I have all A's.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Being the middle child can be tough but I try to use it as an advantage because I get to be an older brother and also a younger brother at the same time.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Mom and dad
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
To appreciate and be thankful for all the blessings that I have been given.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
PGA Tour player
