2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Shepherd Cedar Choi
Westminster
,
Colorado
Age: 10 - 11
Gender: Girls
Region: Midwest
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 handed
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING GOLF?
6
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
35
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
After watching my older brother play, I picked up a club and started swinging.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My friend Angela Gu or my dad.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Chris Melendez
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Winning
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Short game
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
Driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
So far, it’s been Castle Pines because they treated us to such amazing hospitality.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
I’ve shot 35 three times in US kids golf tournaments, playing in the US kids world championship 2025 and making it to Augusta National.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Don’t think, just do.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
It’s led me to see so many new courses.
DESCRIBE ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
I had gotten second place the past two years in the Regional Qualifiers which caused so many tears. To finally make it to National Finals this year is my greatest moment.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2022: Local Qualifier, 2023: second place at the Regional Qualifier, 2024: second place at the Regional Qualifier, 2025: made it to the National Finals at Augusta!
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, it made me more determined to win and make it there myself this year.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, chipping, putting
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My cheeseburger driver headcover.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods because he’s the GOAT.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Michelle Wie West because she’s Korean, went to Stanford, is tall and can hit the ball really far.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Me because I don’t know many others.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
I have played with Hank Haney’s nephew.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Michelle Wie West, Tiger Woods and my dad (but I’ll have to give him 20 strokes).
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I pray with my brother.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Chicken katsu
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I love anything art and I love to bake.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
I broke my forearm so I couldn’t swing a club in 2022.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES/ROLE MODELS?
My mom, my dad and my brother.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Don’t be afraid to fail.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A cake and cookie decorator.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I’m a half Korean/Chinese girl, I’m shy, but I’m also very motherly, kind, caring, introverted and funny if I’m around people I know.
