2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Mie Funakoshi
Kailua Kona
,
Hawaii
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Girls
Region: Southwest
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.
DO YOU PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED?
Right
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING GOLF?
8
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
34 (9 holes) / 72 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
8.9
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My Uncle Justin made me hit a few balls with a kids club. I didn’t want to, but I tried it anyway and it was fun. I thought about it for a while and two weeks later I asked my parents for golf lessons. They were shocked because I grew up surfing and thought I would be a surfer.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My Uncle, Justin Lee
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My friends Shinbi and Kyree, my friends from Oahu, my parents sometimes, my uncle Sheldon and my friend Lehia.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
John Ray Leary
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Being outside in nature and the sound of the ball going in the hole!
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Getting over bad shots quickly.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
My putter
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Hualalai Golf Course
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Making it to the DCP National Finals!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Practice your short game, A LOT!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Meeting new friends and traveling to different places.
DESCRIBE ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Having no idea how I did at Regionals and hearing them call my name was really memorable!
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 Desert Mountain in 2023, and Subregionals in 2024.
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 did! I watched it and I just knew I wanted to be there!
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Putting, chipping, driving
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My orange cat headcover that I named Rhett after my old Coach who sent it to me while he was caddying on the LPGA.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Scottie Scheffler because he is open about his Christianity and has so much faith that helps him on the course.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rose Zhang because I’ve followed her since she played for Stanford. I like her swing and she’s really consistent.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Lydia Ko because her short game is so good and she’s super nice to kids like me!
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
I’ve putt with Hale Irwin a couple of times and he showed me putting drills at Hualalai.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Rose Zhang, Lydia Ko, Scottie Scheffler
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
I would serve Kalua Pig, laulau, lomi salmon, poi and chicken long rice.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Surfing, snorkeling, hanging out with my friends, karate and playing with my dog Birdie.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I had intoeing from femoral anteversion from when I was 3 years old. I went to Shriners Children’s Hospital every year to monitor it. My parents didn’t think I would run or be athletic because I kept tripping over my feet and one of my hips turned out, but I can run now and play golf.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES/ROLE MODELS?
My hero is Lydia Ko because she is so good at golf and is so kind to people.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
"The most important club in your bag is your mind" - Hale Irwin
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I want to be a veterinarian because I love animals and want to help them.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am shy at first and take time to get to know people. I’m mellow and never really get crazy. I like to do well in school and love to read.
