Dreams at Augusta: Two Houston-area juniors tee up for national stage

HOUSTON - A pair of Greater Houston junior golfers will take their swings on one of golf’s biggest stages this weekend, as Chloe Magway and Mathew Quail compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club.

Houston junior golfers set for Augusta Spotlight

What they're saying:

It’s become a tradition over the last 11 years.

The Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals enters its 12th year on Sunday, April 5, when 80 of the nation’s top junior golfers, ages seven to 15, will compete at Augusta National Golf Club ahead of the 2026 Masters.

Two young golfers from the Greater Houston area qualified this year.

11-year-old Chloe Magway of Missouri City is competing in the girls 10-11 division. Magway stayed positive and persevered after three years of falling short. She qualified in her fourth year.

"The shock hit me. I think I was the second to last," Magway said. "My friends were crowding around me and were like, ‘Girl, you made it!’ And I was like, ‘What? I did?’ I was so excited because this was my fourth year trying."

Qualifying is no easy task. Junior golfers must endure steep competition at local, subregional, and regional qualifiers to earn their spot in the national finals. Golfers can only participate in one qualifying round per year.

"Drive, Chip and Putt is a free, nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game of golf while focusing on the three fundamental skills — drive, chip and putt," said Thomas Hutton, Executive Director of the Southern Texas PGA Section. "Formed by the PGA of America, the USGA and Augusta National Golf Club, the competition inspires juniors to pick up clubs and start playing this wonderful game."

Hutton introduced the six juniors who qualified within the Southern Texas PGA Section, which also includes the Greater Austin area.

Also qualifying from the Greater Houston metropolitan area is Mathew Quail, who will compete in the boys 14-15 division.

"As it’s getting closer and closer, it’s starting to hit me, and now I’m really excited," Quail said.

According to the official format on the competition’s website, participants will hit three drives, three chips and three putts during the competition. Scoring is based on a 25-point-per-shot system, yielding a maximum of 75 points per skill and 225 points overall.

Taking home a trophy is the goal.

"It would mean the world," Quail said. "It’s the biggest accomplishment of my life, and it would be awesome having my family right there watching me."

Magway, the only girl to qualify in the Southern Texas PGA Section, feels the same.

"I would be so excited," Magway said. "My friends at school don’t know much about golf, but they’ve always asked me, ‘When’s Augusta?’ And they say they’ll watch me on TV. I’ll be so excited if I win my age group."

Both junior golfers expressed their love for the game and the opportunities it has provided.

"It’s so much fun. It can take you to places you wouldn’t ever imagine," Magway said. "It’s changed my life, and it’s changed my family’s life, too. They always tell me how proud they are."

"It’s a sport you can do for the rest of your life," Quail said. "There are so many connections through golf, and it’s just changed my life completely."

Coverage begins at 7 a.m. CT on April 5 on Golf Channel.