2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Callen Cronin
Bradford
,
MA
Age: 12 - 13
Gender: Boys
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.
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
2
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
-7, 65 at the Ridge Country Club during a US Kids Local Tournament
HANDICAP INDEX:
+0.3
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My dad got me interested in golf. He has worked weekends at Bradford Country Club since before I was born, so when I was old enough, I joined him. What started as just a hunt for golf balls eventually led to chipping and putting on the practice green. From there, I took a few lessons and joined him on the course whenever I could.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I practice the most with my dad, but I play a lot of golf with my friends: Teddy Kempinski, Thomas LeBlanc, Ned Yetten and Connor Lavigne.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Kevin Murphy
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
It's fun! I love to compete and I like when I get to play with my friends even if I'm competing with them.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Maintaining my focus.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
56-degree wedge
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
The favorite course I've played is Bradford Country Club. My favorite course I wish I could play is Augusta National.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Qualifying for the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals two of the last three years.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Don't give up!
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
Yes, Bradford Country Club Jr League Team
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Competing against so many good players. I had such an amazing experience at Augusta in 2024.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
At the Local Qualifier, I was convinced I wasn’t going to advance. Waiting for all the scores seemed to take forever, but I was so happy to finish third. At the Subregional, I finished second to my friend Ned Yetton, and it was really nice to celebrate how well we both did. When we found out we were headed to New Jersey for Regionals, my dad and I were able to stop and play at Tumble Brook in Connecticut. The day of the competition was fun because I got to hang out with a lot of friends during warmups who were also competing.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2020 reached Subregional. 2022 reached Subregional. 2023 reached Subregional. 2024 4th - National Finals at Augusta National. 2025 reached 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 wished I was there. It increased my motivation to get back there because my family and I had such a great experience the year before.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
It depends on the day but I feel like my driver has been the most consistent this year.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Yes, In 2024 I made it to the DCP National Finals and was able to go to the Monday practice round. It was an amazing experience and I can't wait to go back!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My TPC Boston divot tool. I got it the day that I qualified for the DCP National Finals in 2023.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Scottie Scheffler. I love the way he plays and at the end of the 2024 DCP National Finals competition he (and his dad) went out of their way to talk to me!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Nelly Korda, I love her swing.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Rory McIlroy. I was lucky enough to meet him at a golf clinic at Fenway Park where I got to hit balls in front of the Green Monster! He was very nice to me and gave me some good tips.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
Nick Maccario. He holds my home course record with a 56! He has always been very nice to me.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlory and Scottie Scheffler with my dad caddying for me.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I always like to have my Bradford Country Club hat and my TPC Boston divot tool when competing. It means a lot to me to always represent Bradford Country Club whenever I'm competing and I got the TPC Boston divot tool the day I qualified to go to the DCP National Finals in 2023.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
My Champions Dinner would include food from my favorite course, Bradford Country Club. I would want to have their steak and cheese sub, their chicken caesar wrap and their french fries on the menu. I would like Snickers ice cream from my favorite ice cream stand in town, Carter’s, for dessert.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I love playing all sports but my favorites are lacrosse and basketball.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlory
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
I was four years old at a clinic at Garrison Golf when Mr. Murphy told me “Get off your back foot.” He also frequently added the following “back and through, how do you do” when coaching me at young age.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Professional golfer
