BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Kids dig the long ball, and it powered several to victory in the Drive, Chip and Putt regional qualifier at Oakland Hills Country Club.
Others earned their ticket to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2022, because they believe in practicing their putting.
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the practice session prior to the start of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Mia Hammond poses on the podium after placing first overall in the Girls 14-15 age group during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the practice session prior to the start of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the practice session prior to the start of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the practice session prior to the start of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the practice session prior to the start of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners Lorna Zhang, Mia Hammond and Siena Maschke of the Girls 14-15 pose on the podium during at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: William Redden Winner of the Boys 14-15 pose on the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Winners of the Boys 14-16 Jake Cesare, William Redden and Drew Seichter pose on the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Winner of the Girls 12-13 Athena Singh poses at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (R-L) Winners of the Girls 12-13 Isabella Anderson, Athena Singh and Dakota Cooper pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Boys 12-13 Elijah Lemmon, Jacob Thompson and Preston Johnson pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Boys 12-13 Elijah Lemmon, Jacob Thompson and Preston Johnson pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Boys 12-13 Elijah Lemmon, Jacob Thompson and Preston Johnson pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Winner of the Boys 12-13 Jacob Thompson pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Girls 10-11 Ressie Lemmon, Maya Keuling and Jodie Han pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Overall winner of the Girls 10-11 Maya Keuling poses at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Overall winner of the Girls 10-11 Maya Keuling poses at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the practice session prior to the start of the event at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Boys 10-11 Blaise Barnum, Bentley Coon and Robert Melendez pose on the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Winner of the Boys 10-11 Bentley Coon poses at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Winner of the Boys 10-11 Bentley Coon poses at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Girls 7-9 Parker Haddix, Calista Han and Lilo Tsai post at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Winner of the Girls 7-9 Calista Han poses at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Boys 7-9 Brennan Brandel, Matthew White and Micaiah Lewis pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Winner of the Boys 7-9 Matthew White poses at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants start their day during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants start their day at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants warm up at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants warm up at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants warm up at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants warm up at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants warm up at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: General view of the putting area prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants warm up at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: Contestants warm up at the driving range prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the chipping area prior to the start of The Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the Chipping event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the Chipping event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the Chipping event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of the score card during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant watching the action during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant watching the action during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant and her father walking to the next event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Drive event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Drive event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Drive event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Putting event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Putting event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Putting event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Putting event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Putting event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Putting event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Putting event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Driving event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Driving event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oakland Hills Country Club
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a participant participant during the Driving event during The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
“The night before we came up to Michigan, I was out on the practice green at our home course until 8 o’clock at night,” said Jacob Thompson of Louisville, Ky., winner of the Boys 12-13 division. “It was dark. I mean we had my phone with the flashlight on pointing it into the hole so I could see where to putt.”
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Boys 12-13 Elijah Lemmon, Jacob Thompson and Preston Johnson pose at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
Maya Keuling of Carmel, Ind., the Girls 10-11 winner, said she practices putting more often than the other disciplines of the game because she can practice anywhere and it takes less time.
She made two of three putts – one each from six feet and 15 feet – to power her victory. Despite the strong performance, Keuling said she practices a lot because she doesn’t always putt well.
“It depends on the day,” she said. “Today it was very good.”
Keuling’s putter propelled her to 135 total points, leaving her 27 points ahead of Ressie Lemmon of McCordsville, Ind., and 34 ahead of Jodie Han of Lewis Center, Ohio.
As for the long-ball hitters, Bentley Coon of Horton, Mich., winner of the Boys 10-11 division, uncorked what he called his best drive in competition to power his win.
“I hit my second drive 253 (yards),” he said. “I like to hit a lot of drives when I practice. It’s my favorite club in the bag. It’s fun to hit a good one.”
His favorite professional golfer to watch is 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson because, you guessed it, Johnson bombs it.
“That’s it,” he said. “I like to hit it like him.”
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Boys 10-11 Blaise Barnum, Bentley Coon and Robert Melendez pose on the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
Coon scored 144 total points to top runner-up Blaise Barnum of Dublin, Ohio, who scored 138 points, and third-place finisher Robert Melendez of Ann Arbor, Mich., who finished with 134 points.
Matthew White of Lexington, Ky., the Boys 7-9 division winner, said his favorite part of the game is hitting his driver. He crushed his first attempt 183 yards.
“I knew after my first drive that I had a chance,” he said. “The wind kind of took it a little farther than I expected, so I just knew then I had a chance to go to Augusta.”
Two golfers finished close behind White, whose 116 points included a division-best 36 points in the drive competition. Brennan Brandel of Saginaw, Mich., and Micaiah Lewis of Delaware, Ohio, each scored 97 total points.
Athena Singh of Morehead, Ky., is going back to Augusta National for a second National Finals appearance. The Girls 12-13 division winner said she hopes to fare better this year, especially with her driver.
“Last time I hit my first two drives out of bounds and everything went downhill from there,” said Singh, who competed in the Girls 10-11 division at the 2021 National Finals. “I came back to Drive, Chip and Putt, because I want another chance in Augusta.”
At Oakland Hills, all three of Singh’s drives went straight into the heart of the grid on the North Course’s fifth hole, and she said that she’s added more distance lately as well.
“I think it’s because I’m bigger and stronger,” she said.
I came back to Drive, Chip and Putt, because I want another chance in Augusta.
Singh scored 134 total points to earn her repeat regional win. Isabella Anderson of Columbus, Ohio, was second by just two points and Dakota Cooper of Macomb, Mich., had 124 points.
Mia Hammond of New Albany, Ohio, won the Girls 14-15 and said it was due in large part to her driver.
“I hit all three in the grid and hit them very far,” said Hammond, who carries a plus-4 handicap and is used to hitting it past her playing partners.
The longest of the three she hit at the regional qualifier was 278 yards.
“I love to hit my driver,” she said. “It’s my favorite thing to practice, and it’s what gives me a chance to win.”
Calista Han of Lewis Center, Ohio, the Girls 7-9 winner, showed that smaller players can hit it long, too. She weighs just 48 pounds, but the tiny 8-year-old golfer hit one of her drives 135 yards.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 16: (L-R) Winners of the Girls 7-9 Parker Haddix, Calista Han and Lilo Tsai post at the podium at Oakland Hills Country Club on October 16, 2021 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images for the DC&P Championship)
Leon Halip/Getty Images
“It was my best shot today,” she said. “I hit my driver well.”
Han won with 103 points, six better than both Parker Haddix of Nicholasville, Ky., and Lilo Tsai of Ann Arbor, Mich.
William Redden of Evansville, Ind., wrapped up the day for the boys by scoring 158 points to win the Boys 14-15 division. He topped a pair of golfers with 148 points – Jake Cesare of Westfield, Ind., and Drew Seichter of Terrace Park, Ohio.
He was also the only winner who credited his chipping for the win.
“It’s the best part of my game,” he said after topping the other 10 players in his group in that discipline.
“I had two of them within six inches today. I practice it a lot and it paid off. I get to go to Augusta.”
