The roads to Augusta National Golf Club for two of this year’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalists — Jake Sheffield and Maya Palanza Gaudin — were challenging, but rewarding.
Sheffield’s journey in golf began at a driving range with his father, Kevin, but he credits his passion for the game to his late uncle, who taught Jake’s father to play when he was young.
“I fell in love with golf and never stopped playing. Even though my Uncle Mike isn’t with us any longer, I owe my love of this sport to him.”
The seeds planted by Jake’s father and uncle helped propel the Tennessean to The Patch at The Preserve, just outside his hometown of Knoxville, last June. His arrival marked his eighth appearance at a local qualifier, and his determination paid off.
Fourteen-year-old Sheffield — a lefty in everything except golf — finished first at the event. After advancing through sub-regional qualifying, he faced the ultimate test of resilience in the regional qualifier at Quail Hollow Club, which was set to host the 2022 Presidents Cup less than two weeks later.
I fell in love with golf and never stopped playing. Even though my Uncle Mike isn’t with us any longer, I owe my love of this sport to him.
Following the driving and chipping skills, he started the putting segment four spots out of the lead. Even his dad wondered if he had a real chance.
“I thought to myself, ‘There is no way he can come back, because these other kids are really solid,’” Kevin said.
His son had other plans. He sank all three putts — from 6, 15 and 30 feet — to secure his spot in the National Finals by one point.
“Golf is just a game of inches sometimes,” Sheffield said after making the winning putt.
After seven previous attempts, he rode his back-to-back-to-back putts under pressure all the way to Augusta National.
Fellow National Finalist Maya Palanza Gaudin, 12, also was introduced to golf by her parents, but attributes her love of the game to the inspiration and aspirations provided through Drive, Chip and Putt. Maya said, “When I first saw the National Finals on TV in 2016, and when I first competed in Drive, Chip and Putt later that year, that is what brought golf to life for me.”
Stephen and Cassandra Gaudin adopted Maya from Ethiopia shortly after she was born. Twelve years later, she punched her ticket to the National Finals following a victory at TPC Boston, where she finished in the top five in each skill to take first place overall.
“The golf ball doesn’t care who you are, or where you were born,” Maya said. “The golf ball only cares about one thing — how you swing the club!”
Before her journey through Drive, Chip and Putt qualifiers, Maya had a successful year in junior golf competitions around the world. She claimed victories in Scotland, Cape Cod and Abu Dhabi and even had the chance to tee it up with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Gary Player along the way. The National Finals, however, meant much more.
“I have been trying to get to Augusta since I was 6,” Maya said. Her journey down Magnolia Lane, six years in the making, culminates this spring.
Win or lose, both Jake and Maya will leave Augusta National the same way — with a dream come true.
