ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Competition was fierce during the Drive, Chip and Putt regional qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club as 95 golfers between the ages of 7 and 15 vied for a chance to advance to the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2022. Starting with the first age division of the day, the Girls 7-9 division, only eight points separated Katelyn Burks of Paoli, Pa., from the next-closest competitor as she earned her bid to the National Finals. Shortly after, the Boys 7-9 division ended in an exciting playoff between Niko Ameredes of Oakdale, Pa., and Zachary Proud of Stroudsburg, Pa., to set the tone for the day.
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Jordin Christine De Graaf poses for a photo with the Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: From left: Top overall finishers Giuliana Declerico, Katelyn Burks, and Carly Copeland pose with their medals after the Girls 7-9 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Top overall finishers Trebor Melendez, Niko Ameredes, and Zachary Proud pose with their medals after the Boys 7-9 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Boys 7-9 division winner Niko Ameredes poses with his medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Top overall finishers Paige Sowers, Jordin Christine De Graaf, and Nirvika Koduru pose with their medals after the Girls 10-11 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Girls 10-11 division winner Jordin Christine De Graaf poses with her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
Joshua Bessex/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Participants take a photo with the Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Ian Rotto during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Participants warm up at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Ian Rotto examines the green at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Sydney Neou during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: SarahMari Ramson during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Top overall finishers Wyatt Maynard, Landon Tudor, and Ryan Hooker pose with their medals after the Boys 10-11 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Lily Zhang during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Ellie Benson during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Leonardo Zelaya during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Kayley Roberts lines up a putt at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Ellie Benson lines up her putt at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Massimo Riccio during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Top overall finishers Lily Zhang, Emerson Roychoudhury, and Macie Rasmussen pose with their medals after the Girls 12-13 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Macie Rasmussen shows her putting medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
Girls 12-13 division winner Emerson Roychoudhury poses with her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
Joshua Bessex/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Lannon Boyd during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Kiran Bagga during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Kate Roberts during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Hannah Rabb during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Rin Suyama lines up his putt at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Jason Park lines up his putt at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: A competitor during at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Top overall finishers Massimo Riccio, Jason Park, and Rin Suyama pose with their medals after the Boys 12-13 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Nicholas Werner during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Devin Carpenter during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Anna Swan during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: The Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: The Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Devin Carpenter during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael DePalma Jr. during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Nicolas Mantzouranis during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Top overall finishers Izabela Aigner, Anna Swan, and Kate Roberts pose with their medals after the Girls 14-15 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Cole Jones lines up his putt at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Top overall finishers Cole Jones, Michael DePalma Jr., and Ethan Martin pose with their medals after the Boys 14-15 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
Joshua Bessex/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Boys 14-15 division winner Michael DePalma Jr. poses with his medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Davis Farvolden, left, and Adelaide Farvolden check out the putting green before the start of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Tatum Farabee during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Madison Do during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Claire Maust during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Elise Brady smiles during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Katelyn Burks during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Elise Brady during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Carly Copeland during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Giuliana Declerico gets a kiss from her mother, Stephanie, at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Katelyn Burks reads the green during the putting competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Katelyn Burks reads the green during the putting competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Ryan Ritchie during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Ryan Ritchie during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: A competitor in the Girls 7-9 division reacts to a missed putt at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Grant Cooper, right, high-fives his dad, Geoff, after the driving competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York.
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Katelyn Burks celebrates with family after finding out she won the Girls 7-9 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Katelyn Burks looks at her medal after placing top overall at the Girls 7-9 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Girls 7-9 division winner Katelyn Burks poses with her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Robin Copeland, left, takes a photo of her daughter, Carly, and her medal from the putting competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Zachary Proud lines up his putt during the putting competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Zachary Proud competes in a tie-breaker drive at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Niko Ameredes during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Niko Ameredes reacts after winning the tie breaker putting competition to win first placer overall in the Boys 7-9 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Niko Ameredes reacts after winning the tie breaker putting competition to win first placer overall in the Boys 7-9 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
Joshua Bessex/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Nirvika Koduru smiles as she receives a medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
Joshua Bessex/Getty Images
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Girls 10-11 division winner Jordin Christine De Graaf receives her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Girls 10-11 division winner Jordin Christine De Graaf receives her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Boys 10-11 division winner Landon Tudor poses with his medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: People watch the putting competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Girls 12-13 division winner Emerson Roychoudhury poses with her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Macie Rasmussen shows her second place medal in the Girls 12-13 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Boys 12-13 division winner Jason Park receives his medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Boys 12-13 division winner Jason Park poses with his medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Anna Swan during the drive competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Girls 14-15 division winner Anna Swan smiles as she walks up to receive her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship - Oak Hill Country Club
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Girls 14-15 division winner Anna Swan poses with her medal at the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
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These talented golfers brought their best.
Ameredes won the playoff that consisted of a single drive, chip and putt to break the tie. It was a tight finish in which Ameredes left his putt inches from the hole after Proud hit the flagstick, causing his ball to rebound just slightly farther.
“I was feeling the pressure. It was exciting,” said Ameredes, who won a four-hole playoff earlier this summer at a U.S. Kids tournament in Ohio. “I like the pressure a lot. It’s so competitive, and it’s awesome to be here.”
With the Wanamaker Trophy, the iconic prize awarded to the winner of the PGA Championship, sitting a few yards from the winners’ podium, nearly all of the eight National Finalists said they aspire to be professional golfers when they grow up — with Augusta National in April the first stop on that journey. One noteworthy exception was Girls 12-13 winner Emerson Roychoudhury of Leesburg, Va., who aspires to be a college football analyst. Her chances of achieving that goal are good, considering the dedication she displayed in practicing her golf game leading up to the regional qualifier.
“I was spending every day at the course putting, chipping and driving because I really wanted this,” she said. “It totally has paid off.”
Roychoudhury was able to meet three-time Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalist Avery Zweig recently to garner a few driving tips heading into competition.
“She stayed at our house [during a tournament] and was so helpful,” Roychoudhury said. “Now I’m practicing hitting it shorter and on a less wide grid.”
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Anna Swan during the chipping competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
Joshua Bessex/Getty Images
Burks, the Girls 7-9 winner, and Girls 14-15 winner Anna Swan of North East, Pa., also hoped to lean on the experiences of past National Finalists after qualifying. Both have attended the National Finals in previous years to support their siblings in the competition. Burks’ sister Jillian competed earlier this year in the Girls 10-11 division, and Swan cheered on two siblings at the 2015 National Finals — Isaiah, who finished third in the Boys 10-11 division, and Lydia, who won the Girls 10-11 division.
Jillian Burks will focus on keeping her little sister calm going into the competition and will make sure she takes time to enjoy the experience.
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Katelyn Burks reads the green during the putting competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on September 19, 2021 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images for Drive, Chip and Putt)
Joshua Bessex/Getty Images
“I’m really proud of her,” Jillian said. “It was really a fun experience, and it’s great that we’re going two years in a row...hopefully the fact that she shadowed me before will help her be more prepared.”
To celebrate earning her own trip to Augusta National, there was a scoop of cotton candy ice cream waiting for Katelyn. She hopes to celebrate another big win in Georgia at her favorite cake shop just down the road from Augusta National. There’s an ultra-chocolatey “7th Heaven” flavor that’s been on her mind since last April.
Swan has four siblings, all of which have competed in Drive, Chip and Putt over the years. Her brother Josiah was also at Oak Hill competing in the Boys 10-11 division. After watching her two older siblings compete at Augusta National, it became a goal for Anna to follow in their footsteps. At age 15, this year was her last opportunity to qualify, and she made it count by holing her 15-foot putt, leaving her 6- and 30-footers within an inch and smashing all three drives in the 250- to 260-yard range. Swan’s 146 total for the day netted her first-place-finishes in driving and putting along with the overall medal.
It is just so satisfying to know I made it.
“After my 30-foot putt, I kind of knew I had done it, and it was so many emotions mixing together in a blender,” said Swan, who competed in the 2019 PGA Jr. League National Finals. “It’s been such a long journey. I’ve been working hard to get here, and so it is just so satisfying to know I made it.”
In the Girls 10-11 division, Jordin Christine De Graaf of Virginia Beach, Va., collected 113 points – including 54 in the driving competition, which she easily won – to score a 17-point victory over Nirvika Koduru of Ashburn, Va. The Boys 10-11 division ended in a much tighter margin with Landon Tudor of Mount Airy, Md., collecting 138 total points for a five-point win over Ryan Hooker of Oakton, Va.
Jason Park of Fulton, Md., won the driving and chipping skills in the Boys 12-13 division on his way to qualifying for the National Finals, and Michael DePalma Jr., of Ocean City, Md., was the medalist by nine points in the Boys 14-15 division.
