Georgia on their Mind: Drogin, Walsh set for DCP National Final
After facing one another in the opening round of the 50th MGA/MetLife Boys’ Championship last summer, Nathan Drogin of Essex Fells, N.J., and Owen Walsh of Goldens Bridge, N.Y., were fortunate that their qualifying paths didn’t cross for 2019’s Drive, Chip and Putt. Now, both players are set to drive down Magnolia Lane and compete in the National Finals, April 7 at Augusta National.
Extra: Having attempted DCP qualifying in the past, which parts of your game improved most to help you advance to the National Finals?
Nathan Drogin: Each year, something was different. In my first year, I didn’t hit the fairway each time on my drives. At the Subregional last year, I again missed a fairway on a drive, but truthfully my chipping wasn’t great. Ironically, in past years, my putting has been strong. This year, chipping was my strongest event and I managed to hit the fairway each time, which is necessary in order to advance.
Owen Walsh: I think definitely chipping, because in the first couple of years, I didn’t really have my chipping down and I was skulling chips over the green and duffing them in the qualifying rounds. So, I feel like my chipping was pretty solid throughout all of the qualifiers, which really put me at the top of the field.
E: What do you think was the key to your performances and consistency throughout the Drive, Chip and Putt qualifying rounds?
ND: In the qualifying rounds, you need to hit all three drives in the fairway in order to have a chance at advancing. I am looking forward to the finals, which only measures your longest drive. I hope to get the first one in the fairway so I can swing all out on the second one.
OW: At the first one at Westchester, I only got two drives in, but my driving definitely wasn’t the best that it could be. Then, up at Bethpage I got three in and at Winged Foot I got three in, which really gives you a big point total over everyone who doesn’t get all three drives in, so that was really important to my consistency.
E: With a trip to the National Finals on the line, how did you stay focused during Regionals?
ND: Congressional was an unusual experience because it was pouring rain the entire time. It was difficult to loosen up without getting drenched. I managed to just focus on one shot at a time.
E: How do you think your experience in MGA junior events has helped you in handling competitive pressure?OW: My brother competing at Winged Foot the year before really helped me. He gave me some key advice on not worrying about other opponents and he really helped me stay relaxed and cheered me on. He really motivated me to make it to Augusta. I took that as, never get down on yourself if you’re going through adversity in golf and maybe if you don’t have your best shot, come back with a better one next.
ND: My experience playing in the MGA events last year, the Met Junior, the MGA Boys’ Championship, and the Carter Cup helped me realize that I can play with other boys older than me and compete well. For the DCP, I will be competing against other boys my own age. By comparison, that’s not something to be nervous about. I can draw upon my experiences playing well last summer.
OW: With that stiff competition, you can’t really be worrying about what your opponents are shooting, so you have to stay relaxed and go out and shoot the best score you can shoot.
E: What will your practice look like leading up to April's National Finals?
ND: The weather here certainly hasn’t cooperated. My high school team is taking a trip to Florida over spring break, so I’ll get to play and practice then.
OW: I do have a net in my backyard, but obviously in New York it’s snowing. Me, my dad, and my brother usually go up to Golf Quest in Danbury. They have a nice little range there and they have heated bays so we can practice. And, I’ll be participating on my school golf team, so I can get some practice in there.
E: Do you have any goals set for your game this summer?
ND: I’d like to once again compete in all three MGA junior events (Met Jr, Jr Boys’, Carter Cup) unless I qualify for the U.S. Junior, which will mean I have to miss the Met Junior.
OW: For the year, I’m just trying to have fun and see where my swing takes me. I’ll definitely try to shoot some low 70s and maybe if I could get into the 60s, that’d be a really good goal for me. But, honestly to just have fun and shoot some low scores—then I feel like it’d be a successful season.
E: What are you looking forward to most about competing in the National Finals at Augusta National?
ND: I’m looking forward to the experience of being at Augusta, and if I get to meet some of the players, that would be cool too.
OW: The atmosphere is going to be really cool. … I’m just going to take what a great opportunity it is. … I feel like I’m in for a treat.
2019 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finalists
| Name | Hometown | Division |
| James Bradley | East Hampton, N.Y. | Boys 12-13 |
| Nathan Drogin | Essex Fells, N.J. | Boys 14-15 |
| Rayhao Feng | Short Hills, N.J. | Boys 7-9 |
| Megha Ganne | Holmdel, N.J. | Girls 14-15 |
| Sophia Li | Fresh Meadows, N.Y. | Girls 10-11 |
| Alexandra Phung | Forest Hills, N.Y. | Girls 7-9 |
| Mihir Roperia | Cranbury, N.J. | Boys 10-11 |
| Owen Walsh | Goldens Bridge, N.Y. | Boys 14-15 |