2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Mario Vilardi
Hopewell Junction
,
New York
Age: 10 - 11
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:
5
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
33
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I became interested in golf because my dad and my grandpa both love the game. They play often and I grew up watching them. There are videos of me with a tiny golf club when I could first walk, so I've been around golf forever. When I got older, I started playing in tournaments with U.S. Kids Golf, and that made me love it even more. I really like practicing, improving and competing. Golf is something that makes me feel happy and confident and I want to keep getting better.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad and grandpa (my papa)
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My dad and my brother, Charlie. Sometimes, Papa joins us.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
My dad, David Vilardi!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
What I like most about playing golf is meeting new people and traveling to cool places and different golf courses. I also like trying to improve on things with each round. It’s really fun to see new things every time I play. I also love the snacks halfway through the round and a big dinner with ice cream after is the best!
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The most difficult thing about golf is that it doesn’t always go the way you want it to. Some days you hit great shots and some days the ball won’t do what you expect. It can be very frustrating and you have to stay calm and keep trying even when things go wrong. Golf takes a lot of patience and focus and you can’t give up. That’s why it feels so good when you finally hit a great shot or have a good round, because you worked really hard for it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
My driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Well, it WILL be Augusta National once I step foot on it in April! But so far, so many of the courses in Pinehurst, NC.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
THIS! Making it to Augusta National! This is a dream!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Try your best and don't give up on yourself.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
My favorite thing about Drive, Chip and Putt is that if you don't do well in one area, you have more chances in other areas.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
A memorable moment for me was at the Regional Qualifier in Ridgewood. I didn’t do well in chipping and it was hard not to feel disappointed. But, I told myself to keep my head up and just do my best on the next part. When I got to putting, I sank my first two putts. That gave me a lot of confidence that I still had a chance. And then… I won! It felt amazing to know that I didn’t give up and it reminded me that every shot matters.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
Yes. 2022 (result: did not make it past Local), 2023 (made it to Subregional) and 2024 (made it to Subregional)
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, and my family and I even rewatch it sometimes! It’s really exciting to see all the talented players. Last year, we were able to cheer for people we know over the last few years, like Jack Williams and Emory Munoz, who are amazing players. Watching the National Finals makes me want to practice more and try my very best, because I want to be out there one day too. And now I will be!
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Putting, driving, chipping
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
Headcover
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My favorite golfer is Bryson DeChambeau. He is an excellent golfer and I love watching him play. He is really fun to watch when he’s doing well, but he’s also great to watch when things don’t go right. I like seeing how he reacts to bad shots and keeps going. It teaches me a lot about staying calm and never giving up.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My favorite female golfer is Nelly Korda because she is the best!
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Arnold Palmer. He has such cool merch and my dad loves the drink.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
If I could choose a dream foursome, I would pick Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods, Max Strus and me.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
No, but my mother has a ton! She thinks I'll play a better round if she doesn't check her social media on the golf course in between holes.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Hot dogs, ice cream and cotton candy.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I play basketball, soccer and I love juggling a golf ball. I once juggled a golf ball with one of my clubs 100 times at my school’s talent show. Then I started with my right hand, switched to my left, went between my legs, and behind my back. The crowd went wild! I also collect a ton of GOAT USA stickers.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
When I was 7, I was having trouble seeing and everything looked blurry. My mom and doctor figured out that I needed glasses, and I was so happy to finally be able to see things clearly! Wearing glasses on the golf course, especially when it rains, comes with its own challenges. So we switched to contacts on rainy days. Even with that, I’m just so glad I can see well and enjoy playing golf the way I should!
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Bryson DeChambeau
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Don't give up on yourself.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I would love to be a professional golfer!
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I’m fun, fast and athletic. I love to make people laugh like my family, teachers and friends.
