2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Ava Chen
Brooklyn
,
NY
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Girls
Region: Northeast
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.
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Sub-Regional QualifierEvent CompletedBedminster, NJ 07921Aug 12, 2025
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
7
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
9 holes: 31 and 18 holes: 67
HANDICAP INDEX:
6
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I started playing golf after watching my dad learn in the backyard. It looked interesting, so I wanted to try it too.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My golf friends
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Sean Hogan, Brian Crowell, Chris Brady and Tommy Lee.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Making new friends
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Emotional control
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
Driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Augusta National Golf Club
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Making it to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
MetPGA Junior Tour 2025 Player of the Year Girls (age 12-18)
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
If you believe in yourself, you can do anything.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Having the chance to go to Augusta National.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
When I sank all three putts at the Subregional competition.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
I made it to Regionals at TCP Boston in 2023.
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?
I learned more about the event and wanted to be on TV too.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, driving, putting
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
Ball marker
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rory McIlroy because he is really good.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rose Zhang because she is humble and hardworking.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tom Kim because he is very energetic.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Rose Zhang, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Navy blue is my lucky color on the golf course.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Udon noodles
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Ping pong
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Rose Zhang
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
If you believe you can, you can do anything.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Play in the LPGA
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I'm a junior golfer known for hard work, focus, determination and I love math.
