Two Big Island Youth Golfers Earn Spots at Augusta National's Drive, Chip and Putt Finals

Mie Funakoshi of Kailua-Kona won the girls 10-11 competition at the Drive, Chip and Putt regional qualifier after scoring an impressive 156 points overall, including 65 points in the putting portion. For boys 12-13 winner Charlie Bourne of Waikoloa, chipping brings the most joy. Both are now headed to Augusta National Golf Club, each qualifying for the national finals for the first time.

The regional qualifier drew 108 youth golfers and their families to Four Seasons Hualalai Golf Course, where competitors aged 7 to 15 contested the three skills on the course's 16th, 17th and 18th holes. Competitors scored points for each of nine shots, three in each discipline, and the leading scorer in each of eight age divisions qualified for the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on April 5, 2026, at Augusta National Golf Club.

Eighty junior golfers representing 34 U.S. states and one Canadian province earned invitations to compete at Augusta National for the 12th annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, which will be played on Sunday, April 5, 2026, prior to the start of the 90th Masters Tournament. Four of the eight players advancing out of the Hualalai regional to Augusta National call Hawaii home: Funakoshi (girls 10-11), Lucy Cui of Honolulu (girls 12-13), Bourne (boys 12-13) and Shane Murphy of Koloa (boys 14-15).

Funakoshi came to golf by a circuitous route. Originally an avid surfer, an uncle eventually got her off the board and onto the links after encouraging her to hit a few golf balls when she was 8 years old, and she fell in love with the game, honing her craft by practicing at Hualalai nonstop. "Back then, she asked us for lessons, and it was something that she really wanted to do," her mother, Jaime Funakoshi, said. "Other kids wanted to surf, but she chose golf."

Bourne has taken a more traditional path to the course. His mother, Madeline Bourne, has loved seeing her son reach his ultimate goal after competing in Drive, Chip and Putt for the last half decade. "I'm so unbelievably proud, especially because you see your kid working so hard every single day," Madeline said. "Golf is more than a physical game, it's also a mental game. Seeing Charlie mature and learn how to navigate his emotions and get over mental barriers has really been amazing."

The October 5 qualifier at Hualalai was organized by the Aloha Section of the PGA of America and stood apart from most regional events on the national circuit. For the second straight year, the Aloha Spirit radiated at the iconic Four Seasons Hualalai Golf Course. Unlike most Drive, Chip and Putt regionals, the Hualalai event featured a welcome dinner hosted by the Aloha Section on Saturday night for all competitors and their families, with the purpose of educating guests on the hospitality and culture of Aloha throughout the islands. Organizers also reminded the young players how impactful the game of golf can be, and how special it is that they all get to play it.

Drive, Chip and Putt is conducted in partnership with the USGA, the Masters Tournament and the PGA of America as a free, nationwide youth golf development program open to boys and girls ages 7-15, in four age divisions. The program was re-created in 2013 by the three organizations and now draws qualifiers from all 50 states, with the national championship at Augusta National serving as the capstone each spring.

While Charlie is excited to compete against some of the best golfers in his age group, he is also looking forward to taking in the scenery of Magnolia Lane, the iconic, 330-yard, magnolia-lined driveway that leads to the Augusta clubhouse. Funakoshi, for her part, has her own Augusta priorities: "I'm excited about being at the DCP Finals and getting the experience, and also getting to try the peach ice cream sandwiches there," Mie said.

The National Finals will be broadcast live on Golf Channel. Golfers or families interested in future Drive, Chip and Putt competitions through the Aloha Section can contact the local tournament director at aloha411@pgahq.com.