Lincoln, NE – Attending the Masters Tournament is atop the bucket list for many golfers across the world. Walking down Magnolia lane, smelling the blooming Azalea’s, and watching the best players in the world with a pimento cheese sandwich in hand is a dream. Those dreams will become a reality for four Nebraska Junior Golfers thanks to Drive, Chip and Putt.
Attending the Masters and seeing Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC) is one thing but having the opportunity to compete at ANGC is on a whole different level.
Anna Midyett of Bennington, Naryn Kim of Lincoln, Henry Amen of Imperial and Patrick Vilai of Grand Island makeup a record-breaking group of Nebraskans headed to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. The championship round will take place at ANGC on Sunday, April 7th. The 10th anniversary of the event will also be broadcasted live on Golf Channel on Sunday morning.
Conducted in partnership with the USGA, the Masters Tournament and the PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free, nationwide youth golf development program open to boys and girls, ages 7-15, in four age divisions. The three-pronged competition tests the skills essential to playing the game – accuracy in driving, chipping and putting.
Drive, Chip and Putt is played through four stages of competition:
- Local Qualifying – Conducted within all 50 states between May, June & July
- Sub-Regional Qualifying – Conducted at 60 total sites nationwide between July & August
- Regional Qualifying – Conducted at 10 total sites nationwide between September & October
- National Finals – Conducted annually on the Sunday before the Masters
It’s truly historic to have four Nebraska Junior Golfers qualify for the DCP National Finals. To put it in perspective, there were 345 local qualifiers that on average welcomed more than 100 participants. That’s more than 34,000 registrants. On Sunday, just 80 juniors will compete in the final round with four of them calling Nebraska home. No other state in the country has more competitors than Nebraska.
Bennington’s Anna Midyett is one of seven national finalists making a return to ANGC for DCP Finals in back-to-back years. Midyett’s experience at the 2023 event was a dream come true in it’s own. She earned a medal by tying for third place in the Girls 7-9 division before meeting her favorite golfer Will Zalatoris during a practice round.
“I am excited to make my return to Augusta National for the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. I’m looking forward to more putts on 18 green and to meet new friends from all over the country”, said Midyett.
Imperial’s Henry Amen, Lincoln’s Naryn Kim and Grand Island’s Patrick Vilai are all set to make their first appearance at the national event. Kim is set to compete in the Girls 12-13 division coming off a breakthrough season back at home. Kim became the youngest (12 years old) player to win the Nebraska Girls’ Match Play State Championship. Though the stage is a bit bigger this weekend, she is ready to compete with the best.
“I’ve been practicing and I am ready to compete. I know I am going to do the best that I can and I’m excited to learn new things that will help with the future of my golf career,” said Kim.
Amen’s journey began in Grand Island for the Nebraska PGA’s DCP Local Qualifier and he’s been on an adventure since. After Grand Island, he headed to Kansas City for the Sub-Regional where he advanced to Castle Pines GC in Colorado. The journey has led him to Augusta where he will get to see some of his favorite players.
“I’m excited to see not only the course, but all of the Professional golfers that will be competing at Augusta for the 88th Masters Tournament. I hope to see Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Day, and Tiger Woods during the Monday practice round,” said Amen.
Finally, Vilai rounds out the Nebraska squad set to compete. The Nebraska junior golfer has been attempting to qualify for the National Finals since he turned seven. Nearly six years later, his hard work and determination has paid off.
“Being able to qualify and to compete in this event is a dream come true. I am most excited to see the Professional golfers that are competing in the Masters during Monday’s practice round but I am also hoping to get on TV on Sunday!”
From the moment the four junior golfers arrive in Augusta, it will be a weekend they will never forget. Read more about their journey to Augusta HERE.
Stay tuned on our social channels (@NebraskaPGA) for updates and coverage from the 10th Annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. As a reminder, live coverage begins Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock. Good luck to all four Nebraskans that are set to compete and have fun!
About the Nebraska Section PGA
The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 300 PGA Members and PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf. The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton. The Section office is located in Lincoln, NE and acts as a resource for local and national golf information for the golf professional and amateur player alike. Our members are often referred to as “Club Professionals”, not to be mistaken as PGA Tour Professionals.
Each Nebraska Section PGA Professional serves as an expert in the ever-changing business of golf. They are the leading expert players and teachers, skilled business managers, community leaders, and superior merchandisers who have dedicated their careers to the local delivery of these services.