Brady, Chen, Vilardi Qualify For 12th Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals
AUGUSTA, G.A. -- Three junior players from New York State have qualified for the 12th Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2026, prior to the start of the 90th Masters Tournament.
The group includes Claire Brady of Orchard Park (Girls 14-15), Ava Chen of Brooklyn (Girls 10-11), and Mario Vilardi of Hopewell Junction (Boys 10-11).
Related: Drive Chip & Putt Home / 2025 Qualifying Sites in NYS
Brady advanced out of the regional qualifier at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligoner, Pennsylvania on September 13, 2025. She totaled 157 points (next best was 134) in the three skills challenges to punch her ticket to Augusta National next spring. Click here to see full results.
Chen and Vilardi advanced out of The Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey on September 20, 2025. Chen totaled 135 points (next best was 128) in the three skills challenges, while Vilardi totaled 110 points (next best was 104). Click here to see full results.
To reach the regional site, each junior had to advance through sub-regional and local qualifying sites earlier in the season.
The 2026 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals will include eighty junior boys and girls, ages 7-15 from around the world.
Earlier this season, Brady competed in the 2025 NYS Girls' 14U Junior Amateur at Eagle Crest Golf Club and finished T4. She’s also captured three Western NY titles: including the Buffalo District Golf Association’s Girls’ 14U Match Play and Stroke Play Championships, and the Erie County Amateur Girls’ 18U Championship.
The Drive, Chip and Putt program, which was founded in 2013, began in partnership between the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America and the USGA.
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2026
Claire Brady, Orchard Park (Girls 14-15)
Ava Chen, Brooklyn (Girls 10-11)
Mario Vilardi, Hopewell Junction (Boys 10-11)
2025
Thomas Goodelle, New Hartford (Boys 14-15)
Alexandra Phung, Forest Hills (Girls 12-13)
Emma Xu, Roslyn Heights (Girls 7-9)
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2024
Hayden Knapp, South Glens Falls (Girls 12-13)
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2023
Ava Taylor Estrella, Brookville (Girls 14-15)
Jacob Olearczyk, Barneveld (Boys 14-15)
Alexandra Phung, Forest Hills (Girls 10-11)
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2022
Braydon Dock, Queensbury (Boys 14-15)
Mason LaTorre, Nassau (Boys 7-9)
Tanner LaTorre, Nassau (Boys 12-13)
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2020-21 (COVID-19 Postponed)
Braydon Dock, Queensbury (Boys 12-13)
Alexandra Phung, Forest Hills (Girls 12-13)
Amelie Phung, Forest Hills (Girls 7-9)
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2019
James Bradley, East Hampton (Boys 12-13)
Sophia Li, Fresh Meadows (Girls 10-11)
Alexandra Phung, Forest Hills (Girls 7-9)
Owen Walsh, Goldens Bridge (Boys 14-15)
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2018
Bailey Shoemaker, West Edmeston (Girls 12-13)
Lily Zhang, Williamsville (Girls 7-9)
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2017
Kennedy Swedick, Altamont (Girls 10-11)
2016
Nicole Criscone, Clifton Park (Girls 10-11)
Kyra Cox, Salem (Girls 14-15)
2015
John Hiller, New York City (Boys 7-9)
Jennifer Rosenberg, Laurel Hollow (Girls 14-15)
2014
None
