2025 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Ellie Kim
Danville
,
California
Age: 7 - 9
Gender: Girls
Region: Northwest
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:
Hong Kong
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Meadow Club- Fairfax, CA / Diablo Country Club- Danville, CA
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
7
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
41 (9 holes)
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
Golf was a family activity during Covid; my dad taught me how to play.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
If I'm not playing in U.S. Kids golf tournament, I normally play golf with my family and I practice with my dad.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Tom Johnson of Meadow Club and my dad
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Making birdies and winning quarters by playing a putting game with my dad.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The hardest part is mastering all the techniques, changing my swing, while having a strong mental game.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
Diablo Club and Meadow Club
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
The Hay, Pebble Beach
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Winning Drive, Chip and Putt Regionals and qualifying for the National Finals at Augusta!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Practice, have fun, work hard and don't ever give up.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes (previously at Marin Country Club in Novato, CA).
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Winning Regionals at Chambers Bay and knowing I get to go to Augusta National. The Drive portion is my favorite too.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Winning and coming in 1st place at the local, sub-regional, and regional competition!
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
Yes, local qualifier, in July 2023 held at Marin Country Club. My total score was 50.
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 on TV. It made me want to go to Augusta and beat my brother who made it to regionals two years ago.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Drive, putt, chip
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
Oddly my driver head cover (which is an otter) and my pink visor with the incredible hulk ball marker.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Scottie Scheffler, because he's the top golfer.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Danielle Kang because she's awesome. She started playing golf when she was 11, and is a family friend.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Danielle Kang because she is Korean American top female golfer, and I call her Auntie Danielle.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
I have played with Tom Johnson, my coach during my lesson with him.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Danielle Kang, Tiger Woods, and my dad.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I had my lucky charm in my pocket when I competed in Drive, Chip and Putt and also wore my pink visor for good luck.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Korean food, like galbi (beef) because it's yummy, butter pasta, ice cream, chicken tenders with fries, hamburgers, and steamed broccoli - all my favorites.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Volleyball, art, I like to sing and listen to music.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My dad and Taylor Swift
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Always surround yourself with people who make you smile. Work hard and don't give up, and be thankful.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A professional golfer.
