No Michigan Juniors in Drive, Chip and Putt Finals This Year
This is the second April in a row that Michigan does not have a representative in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club.
Typically, multiple Michigan kids make it each year. In fact, every year from the inaugural 2015 event, through 2023, one or more young players from Michigan represented the state well – a total of 23 times.
Past National champion PJ Maybank of Cheboygan (2018, boys 12-13) is now playing golf at the University of Oklahoma. That same year, Josh Lavely of Kewadin won the National driving and chipping segments of the 14-15 year olds. Lavely, however, took runner up overall in a one-putt playoff. He currently plays golf at Villanova.
Bentley Coon of Horton won the 10-11 age group in 2022. He reached the Regionals in the 14-15 age group this year at Valhalla in Louisville, but did not advance.
Lucas Bernstein was a Williamston resident when he won the 2021 National title in the boys 7-9 category, but his family has since moved back to his native California.
This April, some Michiganders are on standby as alternates if the regional champions don’t attend.
In the Boys 7-9 category, Jack Pan of Rochester Hills is the second alternate for going to Augusta National; and same with Graham Hammer of Traverse City. He is the second alternate in the Boys 10-11 age group.
In the Boys 14-15 age group, Aidan Oake of Howell is the first alternate, if regional winner Seth Greenwell of Kentucky doesn’t attend.
In the Girls 10-11, Lilo Tsai of Ann Arbor is the second alternate, having placed third at her Regional.
While 80 junior golfers from across the nation are descending upon Augusta National for the televised finals on Sunday, April 6, local qualifying will soon be underway at 16 sites in Michigan, ranging from May 11 to July 29, for a chance at the 2026 National Finals.
Registration for local qualifications for next year’s finals is now open at: https://michiganpga.com/junior-golf/drive-chip-putt/
Drive, Chip & Putt is a free event.
