2025 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Niko Ameredes
Pittsburgh
,
Pennsylvania
Age: 12 - 13
Gender: Boys
Region: Middle Atlantic
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:
Pittsburgh, PA
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
The Club at Nevillewood
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
2
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
63
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
Going out onto the course with my dad
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My dad, grandfathers and my friend Eli
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Kevin Shields
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The six inches between then ears.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
7 iron
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Augusta National
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
I finished 2nd in the US Kids World Championship in Pinehurst.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes, we went to the National Championship in Texas
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
The competitiveness of Drive, Chip, and Putt - because every competition you're trying to win to go to Augusta National.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
When I was watching my friends at Aronimink trying to beat me.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2021 Won in a play off at Oak Hill , 2022 I got to Oak hill and lost, 2023 I lost at Nemocolin. 2024 I won at Aronimink
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?
Unfortunately no, I was in a tournament, but I was rooting for my friends who were in it.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, Putting, Chipping
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Yes, when I made to DCP in 2022
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My Pete Dye Golf Club Headcover
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Bobby Jones. I like him because he brought us Augusta National and I like that he didn't care for the money.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Arnold Palmer. The way he carried himself around the golf course.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
My Dad, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Entree: A Steak Gyro. Side: Grape Leaves. Drink: Root Beer. Desert: Greek Cookies.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Basketball, Math 24 Competition Winner and hockey
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I have broken my hand 2 times in the last 5 years. Once during hockey and recently in a golf tournament. Not being able to practice and missing tournaments is an awful feeling.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My Dad because he spends most of his days working hard to provide for our family and in his free time he sacrifices his time with my mom and sisters in order to help me reach my golf goals.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
#1 golfer in the world
