Locals Ready for DCP Championship
Megha Ganne competing at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in 2017. In April, she'll make her third appearance in the National Finals.
Thanks to Drive, Chip and Putt, the dream to compete at Augusta National Golf Club is just as real for golf's young competitors as it is for professionals. This year, Megha Ganne of Holmdel, N.J., and Lance Hollingshead of Basking Ridge, N.J., both navigated through local, subregional and regional qualifying to advance to the National Finals on April 1. We recently caught up with both competitors as they prepare to compete.
Related: Registration for 2019 Drive, Chip and Putt
Megha Ganne | Girls 14-15
This is your third appearance in the National Finals. What have you learned in previous appearances that will help you this year?
I have learned that the opportunity to feel such a high level of pressure and participate in such an awesome experience counts as a win. Although saying 'I just want to have fun' sounds like a cliche statement, it's truly what I will do in April. The chance to feel that kind pressure is a privilege and knowing that will help me this year.
What do you think was the key to your performances and consistency throughout the Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying rounds?
I think my mind adapted to the format of play. In regular golf, I know that it is okay to make a mistake, because I know there will be a chance for recovery. In DCP, I needed to change into a mindset of complete focus, knowing that there will not be second chances, you only get 9 shots!
What is your earliest golf memory?
My earliest golf memory was at age 7, my first round of golf with my coach Katie. I remember her telling me that we were playing for a million dollars!
Do you have any goals set for your game this summer? If so, what are they?
Recently I surprised myself when I shot a 68 in a tournament round. This summer I want to have better performances in AJGA tournaments and I want to keep surprising myself!
What is your favorite aspect of golf?
There’re too many to choose from! One of my favorite things is that you get to play so many different kinds of courses. I love traveling. I've made some of my best friends through golf, and I get to spend more time outdoors with my family.
Has the competitive experience in Drive, Chip and Putt helped you in other competitive settings or qualifying scenarios?
Drive, Chip and Putt sparked my confidence and encouraged me to take my game to the next level. In all pressure situations, I can relate to DCP, and it helps me more than I can explain. Last summer, I got into three playoffs, all of them in USGA events, and won all three of them. Situations like playoffs are purely mental, and I can safely say that without DCP, I would not have done as well in those playoffs.
What will your practice look like leading up to April’s National Finals?
My practice will remain the same for the most part. This winter, I am working on driver accuracy and a couple of swing changes to increase distance. Also, there will be many putting and chipping reps.
Hollingshead and his dad following regional qualifying at Winged Foot in October, 2017.
Lance Hollingshead | Boys 12-13
You’ve advanced farther each year you’ve participated in Drive, Chip and Putt—which parts of your game have improved most over the last year?
My chipping is much better and I have a better putting routine.
What do you think was the key to your performances and consistency throughout the Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying rounds?
I made sure to keep my mind on every shot I played and not stressing about it by talking with my friends while I waited for my turn at the next station.
How did you stay focused during Regionals at Winged Foot?
The night before I got stressed so I worked with my coach Debby Murphy and she helped me get my swing under control and I felt confident. On the day of regionals my dad made sure everything was stress free so I could have fun and focus on my golf.
What is your earliest golf memory?
Playing in my backyard with my plastic golf set, which had three clubs.
What will your practice look like leading up to April’s National Finals?
I am a competitive ski racer in the winter which takes up most of my weekends, so that only allows me limited time during the week for work on a simulator. I will need to end the championship ski season short so I can take the weeks leading up to the Nationals and go down south to practice and play.
Do you have any goals set for your game this summer?
I would like to focus on better ball striking, and maintain a good attitude when things aren’t going my way. I will also work hard on hitting more fairways and proximity to the hole.
What are you looking forward to most about competing in the National Finals at Augusta National?
That’s easy, driving down Magnolia Lane and putting on the 18th green.