PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Gianna Singh competes in the 14-15 year old girls chip competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Two National Finalists from the Northwest will chart a new chapter in their friendship as they compete at Augusta National together next spring. Meanwhile, a player who has been in their shoes had sage advice: ‘Enjoy it.’
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Two of golf’s cathedrals are welcoming some of the best junior golfers in America. This time, it was Pebble Beach Golf Links. Next time around, it will be Augusta National Golf Club.
A gray, overcast Sunday afternoon at Pebble Beach was brightened by a slew of smiles as 96 girls and boys ages 7-15 competed in Drive, Chip and Putt regional qualifying. By the end of a day that included high fives and, in some cases, tears, eight players had punched their tickets to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, to be contested at Augusta National Golf Club on April 2, 2023, the Sunday before Masters Tournament week.
My biggest advice for all eight of the qualifiers is to have fun. Winning is one thing. Being there, at Augusta, is something you’ll never forget. Enjoy it.
Jaden Dumdumaya
Emily Nguyen, a 7-year-old from Richland, Wash., was among those to advance after winning the Girls 7-9 division with a total score of 98.
Despite being the first player to tee off in the drive competition, Nguyen said she never felt the pressure of having a gallery watching her every swing.
“I don’t have nerves,” said Nguyen, sounding like Tiger Woods.
Nguyen and her younger sister Grace competed in the same division at the Pebble Beach regional. Grace practices a bit more, but Emily was ready when it counted.
“I like chipping the most, but I’m more consistent with putting,” Emily said. “When I putt 6-footers, it’s either in the hole or within about a foot.”
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Samantha Chiou competes in the 12-13 year old girls chip competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Boys 12-13 year old division Jace Benson poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A detail shot of the medals on display at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 7-9 year old girls overall division Athena Dehen (second), Emily Nguyen (first) and Sienna Si (third) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A detail shot of the scoreboard being filled in at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Competitors and family scope the course at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Christian Choi competes in the 12-13 year old putt competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A competitor reacts after with family after the putt competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 7-9 year old boys overall division Elijah Kim (third), Carter Cline (first) and Logan Wilde (second) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Girls 14-15 year old division Ha Young Chang poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Competitors and family wait as the scoreboard is updated at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Boys 14-15 year old division Kyler Heath poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Gianna Singh competes in the 14-15 year old girls chip competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A detail shot of tees during the drive competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Girls 12-13 year old division Kendria Wang poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A general view of the chip competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Girls 10-11 year old division Caroline Cui poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Carter Cline reacts after winning the boys 7-8 year old overall division at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A competitor does the "Griddy" dance after the drive competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 10-11 year old girls overall division Jenny Guo (third), Caroline Cui (first), and Olivia Lee (second) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Competitors watch the putt competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 14-15 year old girls overall division Asterisk Talley (second), Ha Young Chang (first) and Stevie Umali (third) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Caroline Cui competes in the 10-11 year old girls putt competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 10-11 year old boys overall division Ryder Lin (second), Jairo Sanchez-Godinez (first) and Zeya Zhao (third) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Kanyon DeRyke competes in the boys 14-15 year old drive competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Boys 10-11 year old division Jairo Sanchez-Godinez poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Competitors and family scope the course at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Girls 7-9 year old division Emily Nguyen poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 12-13 year old girls overall division Paavni Behl (third), Kendria Wang (first) and Niuniu Zhao (second) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Emily Nguyen competes in the 7-9 year old girls drive competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Girls 10-11 year old division Caroline Cui speaks with the media at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 14-15 year old boys overall division Owen Greenough (third) and Kyler Heath (first) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. Second place getter Taighan Chea was absent for the photo. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Diem Martinez competes in the 14-15 year old boys drive competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Charlotte Guirnalda competes in the drive competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A detail shot of a score card at the drive competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Place getters in the 12-13 year old boys overall division Carson Peterson (third), Jace Benson (first) and Maverick Stocker (second) pose for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Hazel Hooper competes in the 10-11 year old girls chip competition at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Pebble Beach Golf Links
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Boys 7-9 year old division Carter Cline poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
1
of
38
It marked the second consecutive year that Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted Drive, Chip and Putt regional qualifying. The drive portion of the competition took place at the Pebble Beach Golf Academy while the chipping and putting skills were staged at The Hay, the new 9-hole short course designed by Woods.
“Pebble Beach Company is thrilled to support Drive, Chip and Putt as a regional-final host site,” said John Sawin, Pebble Beach Company Vice President and Director of Golf. “Our hope is that all competitors, whether they qualify or not, will be inspired by the magic of Pebble Beach to a lifelong love for the game of golf. The Hay is the perfect place to start that journey.”
Along with Pebble Beach, the Northern California section of the Professional Golfers’ Association played a big role at the regional as several PGA professionals were on hand to assist with the event.
“How exciting for these players to be competing for an opportunity to go to Augusta National,” said Len Dumas, NCPGA Executive Director and COO.
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Girls 14-15 year old division Ha Young Chang poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Ha Young Chang, who won the Girls 14-15 division with a score of 157, had a different approach to handling the pressure. The 14-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, is a second-degree black belt in taekwondo. She learned from her father, Minku Chang, who is an instructor.
“I’m really excited to be going to Augusta. I hope I do good there,” Chang said. “I’m proud of myself.”
For Washington residents Jairo Sanchez-Godinez and Carter Cline, the trip to Augusta National will be a memory they can share. Sanchez-Godinez, who won the Boys 10-11 division, and Cline, winner of the Boys 7-9 division, are close friends who met through U.S. Kids Golf.
“It’s so very cool that we both made it,” Sanchez-Godinez said. “Hopefully I win it.”
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Winner of the Boys 14-15 year old division Kyler Heath poses for a photo at Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 25, 2022 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Kyler Heath of Hillsborough, Calif., who won the Boys 14-15 division, unleashed a 290-yard missile – the drive of the day – on his way to winning that skill.
“I like putting the most albeit I do best in driving,” said Heath, who picked up his first club at age 3. “I’ve dreamed of going to Augusta.”
She didn’t advance, but Samantha Chiou of Orinda, Calif., put on a clinic during the chipping portion of the Girls 12-13 division. She holed two of her three chips from roughly 35 feet away to win that skill but ultimately finished seventh behind age-group winner Ruihan (Kendria) Wang of Bellevue, Wash.
Jaden Dumdumaya, winner of the Boys 14-15 age division at the 2022 National Finals, was on hand to congratulate this year’s National Finalists. The Bay Area resident accumulated 29 out of 30 possible points at the National Finals last spring and won the division by a record margin of 10 points.
Along with handing out punched tickets to the National Finals, Dumdumaya shared what it’s like to compete at Augusta National.
“My biggest advice for all eight of the qualifiers is to have fun,” Dumdumaya said. “Winning is one thing. Being there, at Augusta, is something you’ll never forget. Enjoy it.”
The Girls 7-9 division winner Emily Nguyen, of Richland, Wash., said her favorite player is her grandfather, in part because he usually brings cupcakes to the golf course. The 9-year-old hopes to become an engineer or scientist in the future.
***
Carter Cline, 9, of Sammamish, Wash., scored 50 points in the putting competition for the Boys 7-9 division on his way to winning his age-group title. He started putting around his living room when he was two years old, and says he is, “here for the fun.”
***
Caroline Cui, a Redwood City, Calif., resident, won the Girls 10-11 division. She enjoys driving the most because “it’s super cool to see the ball so high in the air.” Cui (pronounced Swee) wants to be an actress.
***
Jairo Sanchez-Godinez, 10, of Everett, Wash., is a huge fan of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. “Rory hits it far and Tiger is a great putter,” said Godinez, winner of the Boys 10-11 age-group title. When he isn’t swinging a golf club, Godinez loves to play basketball.
***
Ruihan (Kendria) Wang, 13, of Bellevue, Wash., wants to be a veterinarian when she gets older, and in her spare time, she enjoys trap/skeet shooting. The Girls 12-13 division winner admires Rory McIlroy’s tenacity, and she’ll have her mom, Joyce, as her caddie at the National Finals.
***
Jace Benson of Morgan, Utah, won the Boys 12-13 division to earn his second consecutive trip to Augusta National. Benson, who began hitting balls around age 4, got to meet former Masters champion Fred Couples at last year’s National Finals. “It was a thrill, we talked about golf,” Benson said.
***
Ha Young Chang, 14, of Surrey, British Columbia, won the Girls 14-15 division. She loves the putting competition because she has to think about which way the ball will go and the speed of the green. She is a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, having learned from her father, Minku Chang.
***
Boys 14-15 division winner Kyler Heath, from Hillsborough, Calif., is a big Justin Thomas fan. In his spare time, the 14-year-old enjoys building LEGOs and watching sports or playing sports video games. One of his favorite teams is the Golden State Warriors.
