AUGUSTA, Ga. — Young golfers across the country came together to compete and show off their talents in the Drive, Chip and Putt Finals at the Augusta National over the weekend.
Two junior golfers from Georgia did not hold anything back on the golf course. Suwanee native Kylie Chung won the girls’ ages 10-11 event and Hudson Knapp, of Marietta, triumphed in the boys’ ages 7-9 division.
Knapp, a second-grader at Faith Lutheran School, won the Boys 7-9 division with 22 points. Of the 10 finalists in the division, Napp finished second in putting, third in driving and fourth in chipping. Napp’s home course is Pinetree Country Club.
Knapp said putting isn’t typically his strongest discipline, but he remembered the tips his dad and coach taught him. Of his first trip to Augusta National, he said, “I thought the course was in brilliant condition, and I wasn’t going to win.” But he was able to surprise himself and bring home first place.
Chung, a fifth-grader at Haw Creek Elementary, won the Girls 10-11 division with 18 points. Of the 10 finalists in the division Chung won the putting, was fifth in driving and seventh in chipping. Chung’s home course is Laurel Springs Golf Club.
Kylie edged out her competitors by just a couple of inches in one of the tightest competitions of the event. She said in an interview that she was just having fun and that her family members are her biggest cheerleaders.
When asked how she felt after she saw her name on the winning scoreboard, Kylie said, “I feel like I’m… AMAZING.”
In the interview, she was then asked about what she was going to tell those back at home about her experience.
“I’m going to tell those boys that I’m good at golf,” she said.
- Girls 7-9: Autumn Solesbee (Denver, NC)
- Girls 10-11: Kylie Chung (Suwanee, GA)
- Girls 12-13: Jenna Kim (Raleigh, NC)
- Girls 14-15: Mia Hammond (New Albany, OH)
- Boys 7-9: Hudson Knapp (Marietta, GA)
- Boys 10-11: Bentley Coon (Horton, MI)
- Boys 12-13: Michael Jorski (Clarendon Hills, IL)
- Boys 14-15: Jaden Dumdumaya (Fairfield, CA)