Franklin, TENN –

The Tennessee Section is proud to announce that three exceptional young golfers—Penelope Philip, Jack Williams, and Raymond Rebel—will represent the state at Augusta National Golf Club for the 11th Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals on Sunday, April 6, 2025, preceding the 89th Masters Tournament.

Road to Augusta

These talented juniors secured their spots through a competitive three-stage qualification process:

  • Local Qualifiers (May 2024): Top three finishers in each age and gender division advanced.
  • Subregional Qualifiers (July–August 2024): Top two from each division moved forward.
  • Regional Qualifiers (September–October 2024): Hosted at premier golf venues, including past U.S. Open and PGA Championship sites.

Meet Tennessee’s Finalists

Jack Williams (Boys 10-11, Nashville, TN)

Jack Williams displayed exceptional skill at The Golf Club of Tennessee, securing first place with 134 points—12 points ahead of his closest competitor. His chipping performance stood out with a score of 55. Focused and determined, Jack said, “I wasn’t really watching the other players. I was just doing what I know how to do.”

Penelope Philip (Girls 10-11, Brentwood, TN)

After two previous attempts, Penelope Philip finally clinched her spot in the National Finals, winning her division by 14 points. Overjoyed, she called it one of the happiest days of her life, comparing it to winning the lottery. “I tried different sports, but golf was my favorite,” Philip said. “The older I got, the more I got into it. I started practicing more and then got into tournaments. I feel like golf is special.”

Raymond Rebel (Boys 14-15, Maryville, TN)

A California native who moved to Tennessee two years ago, Raymond Rebel quickly embraced the Volunteer State’s passion for sports. He delivered a clutch performance, draining his first two putts and scoring 20 points on his final attempt to claim victory in the Boys 14-15 division. “I thought I was going to make the last one, but 20 points was good enough,” Rebel said. The eighth grader will attend Maryville High School next year.

About Drive, Chip & Putt

A joint initiative by the USGA, the Masters Tournament, and the PGA of America, Drive, Chip & Putt is a free, nationwide program for boys and girls ages 7-15. The competition focuses on three core golf skills—driving, chipping, and putting—while fostering a lifelong love for the sport.

National Finals – A Stage for the Best

This year’s National Finals will feature 80 junior golfers from 28 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and India. Among them are six returning competitors, including four-time National Finalist and 2023 National Champion Alexandra Phung.

Support Tennessee’s Finalists!

With just 30 days until the competition, we encourage everyone to cheer on Penelope, Jack, and Raymond as they compete on one of golf’s most iconic stages. Their dedication, perseverance, and talent exemplify the spirit of Tennessee golf—we can’t wait to watch them shine at Augusta National!

Kelsey Ludwigsen, Communications Manager