Christian Roberts, Ava Nguyen Representing Massachusetts In Drive, Chip & Putt National Final At Augusta National
The Drive, Chip & Putt National Final is a three-part skills competition for youth ages 7-15 held annually at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters begins. It will be broadcast live on Golf Channel, the NBC Sports App, and the Drive, Chip & Putt website at 8 a.m. ET Sunday, April 6.
Eight-year-old Christian Roberts slipped on a Green Jacket last week — not at Augusta National, but at The Golf Club at Turner Hill in Ipswich, where members gave him a replica as part of a Masters-style send-off ahead of the Drive, Chip & Putt National Final.
On Sunday, Roberts, a Hamilton native, will still be sporting green attire at Augusta National. However, he’ll be in uniform, suited up alongside fellow Massachusetts qualifier Ava Nguyen, of Needham, plus dozens of other youths across the country playing in the skills competition on national television, just days before the pros take center stage at the Masters.
Ipswich native Christian Roberts proudly dons his medal after winning the Regional Qualifier to advance to the Drive, Chip & Putt National Final. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Massachusetts natives have had quite the history with Drive, Chip & Putt. Wellesley’s Michael Thorbjornsen played in, and won the 2016 event, won the 2021 Massachusetts Amateur, and now has his PGA TOUR card. Conner Willett, also of Wellesley and a 2014 DCP player, won the Mass Amateur a year after Thorbjornsen.
But like all youth sports events, the players age out, and a new wave follows behind them. Roberts, a self-professed multi-sport athlete, has already had a taste of the spotlight. He’s competed in the Youth Flag Football World Championships at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Disney, which was televised, and juggles a full schedule of soccer, baseball, and basketball.
Roberts was given a green jacket by members of Turner Hill as a token of good luck before competing in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Final. (Contributed)
Before all that, though, Roberts had a golf club in his hands by age 2, following his father Paul around Turner Hill, the sweeping course at a historic estate in Ipswich.
He’s no stranger to the Drive, Chip & Putt competition either, having watched his older brother Henley make several attempts at qualifying. Christian gave it a shot himself in 2023 and came back determined this time around. He won nearly every category in the boys 7–9 division to claim first place at the Regional Qualifier last September at Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey.
With his other sports keeping him busy, Christian admits his practice time has been limited. But he’s just thrilled to be in the mix, and even more thrilled to be doing it at Augusta National.
“I’m definitely nervous but excited,” he said. “The fairways and greens are so much better than other courses. I’m probably most looking forward to putting on the last hole.”
Roberts also hopes to catch a glimpse of his favorite players while on site. Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, and Bryson DeChambeau top the list.
And as fate would have it, his initials — CR — match those of Augusta National co-founder Clifford Roberts. That’s not lost on Christian’s family either, who’s hoping to have history, heroes, and maybe a little magic on his side this Sunday.
Christian Roberts competes in the chipping skill during the 2024 Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Ridgewood Country Club. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Clearly much can change in one year, particularly for Needham’s Ava Nguyen. At the same New Jersey Regional Qualifying site in September, Nguyen made a 102-point improvement from a year ago. She got a confidence boost from the start, smashing her first drive long and straight, and then followed up with a solid chipping effort (her favorite part of the three skills). Then, despite hitting her first putt long, the next two settled close enough to total 133 points.
That might’ve been enough in other years, but Nguyen had to earn her spot in dramatic fashion. After finishing tied with Newton’s Aarya Tsarong, a returning national finalist, Nguyen drained a playoff-winning 15-foot putt to punch her ticket to Augusta.
“It was intense,” Nguyen said to sum up regional qualifying. A big food enthusiast, there was also a steak dinner that followed.
Ava Nguyen reacts after winning the Girls 10-11 division during the 2024 Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier at Ridgewood Country Club on September 21, 2024 in Paramus, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Nguyen, who’s equally excited to see the course in person, is hoping to spot a few pros like Colin Morikawa or last weekend’s tour winner Min Woo Lee. However, she’s most looking forward to “going down Magnolia Lane and putting on the 18th green. The course is just so beautiful. I’m really excited about everything.”
Nguyen got her start in golf during the pandemic, when golf outings with her dad turned into a real passion. According to her mother Elizabeth, the family discovered Ava had keen hand-eye coordination and a natural swing while practicing on the range. Inspired by watching the Netflix documentary The Short Game, she began entering junior tournaments alongside her older sister Mia, competing in over 30 NEPGA Junior Tour events last year alone.
The family plays most of its golf close to home at Needham Golf Club, but Nguyen also carries a Youth on Course membership, a program allowing youth golfers ages 6-18 access to play at any participating course throughout the Bay State and across the country for only $5 per round.
When she’s not golfing or doing homework, Nguyen loves reading, drawing, making bracelets for special occasions, playing cello, and checking out good food spots after tournaments.
Her lucky charm heading into Augusta? Perspective — one that would make legends like Ben Hogan proud.
“I like to say, even if it does go bad, there’s always going to be another swing or tournament,” she said. “It’s a sport, not an occupation. It’s supposed to be fun. Even if you hit a ball badly, don’t feel bad.”
Ava Nguyen reacts during the putting portion of the Drive, Chip and Putt Regional Qualifier. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
