Luke Gladfelter
Chesapeake Beach
,
MD
Age: 12 - 13
Gender: Boys
Region: Middle Atlantic
The Path to the National Finals
Qualifying Path
Should a player advance through local qualifying, the subregional and regional qualifying sites are pre-determined based upon the local qualifying site. The player is not guaranteed participation in the subregional qualifier unless he/she advances through local qualifying. The player is not guaranteed participation in the regional qualifier unless he/she advances through local and subregional qualifying.
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Local QualifierEvent CompletedCollege Park, MD 20742Jun 14, 2023
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Lake Presidential, Upper Marlboro, MD; Chesapeake Hills, Lusby, MD; Youth on Course (YOC) Member
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
4
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
34/73
HANDICAP INDEX:
6
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I've always enjoyed playing, but during the COVID pandemic I was not able to participate in other sports and tried some golf tournaments. I really like playing the game and the competitiveness that comes with each shot. I have played golf since I was little but didn't really start playing competitively until I was 9.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My Dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My Dad, my older brothers, and my friend Ashton and his dad.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Don Slebodnik & Sean Bannon
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I like playing and competing with people I know and with my playing partners in a tournament.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
My ball striking and trying to hit the ball in the center of the club face. I also enjoy chipping and trying to hit difficult shots around the green.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The mental side of golf. If you have a bad hole or shot you have to move on from it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
Driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
The Ocean Course-Kiawah Island
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Making it to the National Finals of Drive, Chip and Putt this year.
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
I have participated in many Mid-Atlantic Junior PGA (MAPGA) events and a few Maryland State Golf Association (MSGA) events over the past few years. I also play in the Southern Maryland Under Armour tour and Northern Virginia and Central Maryland US Kids tours.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
If you have a bad shot, you have to move on from it. Sometimes people try to be perfect and then hit a bad shot. Also, the strategy is not to make a putt or chip, but to get it within the 20-point circle.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
That each shot has a lot of pressure.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
My most memorable moment is from the Regional Qualifier at Aronimink when I realized I not only won my age group, but I had the most points of any other competitors that competed on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2019 & 2022-Local Qualifier at University of Maryland; 2021-Advanced from Local Qualifier at University of Maryland to Sub-Regional at River Bend Club
DID YOU WATCH LAST YEAR’S DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT NATIONAL FINALS ON TELEVISION? IF SO, WHAT IMPACT DID THAT HAVE ON YOUR PARTICIPATION THIS YEAR?
I have watched most years on TV and have always dreamed of what it would be like to make it to Augusta National Golf Club and compete on TV.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, Chipping, Putting
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Never been but can't wait to walk on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
Tiger Head Cover
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
Watching Tiger Woods win the 2019 Masters.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Watching Tiger Woods win the 2019 Masters.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods. Tiger has done so much for the game of golf and has inspired so many people to play the game. I was able to see him play in a tournament at TPC Potomac when I was seven years old and have been a big fan of Tiger ever since. I love the way he thrives in the moment and with big crowds.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Lexi Thompson because she recently competed on the PGA tour and nearly made the cut.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Tiger Woods, Lamar Jackson, Adley Rutschman
DO YOU PLAY ANY GOLF VIDEO GAMES? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S)?
Golf Clash
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Steak (NY Strip served medium rare), Cheeseburgers, & French Fries!
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Physical Education
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Football & Baseball
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Happy Gilmore
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Drake
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Mountain Men
FAVORITE APP:
YouTube
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I like to play and watch sports. I enjoy watching and attending games of my favorite teams which are the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens, and Maryland Terrapins. I like to draw and do things with other people.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My Mom
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Stay in the moment, don't get ahead of yourself.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
PGA Tour Superstar
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I enjoy playing and watching most sports including football, baseball, basketball, wiffle ball and of course golf. I like to play with my friends in the neighborhood and stay as active as I can. I like to be creative and turn my backyard or basement into a football field, baseball field or golf course.
