Today’s Junior Golfer (TJG) is honored and excited to sponsor our first Arizona junior golfer, Kimsey T, with a "travel scholarship!"
Kimsey is preparing for one of her biggest challenges yet! On October 5th, she and her mother will travel to Frisco, TX for the Regional Championship of Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP)—just one step away from the finals at the world-famous Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters, in May 2026.
At only 13 years old, Kimsey already has an impressive junior career in Arizona and is well known for her complete golf game. Now, she faces her biggest challenge yet: just 9 shots in Texas—3 drives, 3 chips, and 3 putts. To advance, she’ll need to win her 12–13 age division and secure her ticket to Augusta!
Q & A with Kimsey!
TJG: How excited are you to be heading to DCP Regionals, the last step before Augusta?
Kimsey: The level of excitement has built each week leading up to this final week. I’ve been waiting two months to go this final DCP qualifier in Texas and it is finally here. Last year Arizona’s final step was in Hawaii when I was 12 in the girls 12–13-year-old division and took 2nd place missing 1st by 6 points. This year I’m trying my luck with a different route going Texas each time. It’s been good spending one on one time with my mom and playing golf in a different state other than Arizona. Texas has had some weird weather this year and it is helped me play better in rain, wind, and on different grass. I love traveling for golf to compete out of state and wish I could do multiple times a year.
TJG: How many years have you been playing golf and how did you get started?
Kimsey: Golf has been in my life as long as I can remember. Lessons started with John Kim a South Korean/American coach over at Legends at Arrowhead at age 4.5 and did my first USkids tournament at 5.5. I played all USkids Local, Regional, and World tournaments from age 5.5-9. At age 10 my grandpa Gray found retired 20-year LPGA player Danielle Ammaccapane who is still my coach today. We have a close connection and I hope she’ll remain my coach until college. In August I just had my 13th birthday, so to answer the question of how long I’ve played golf it’s been just over 8 years. It’s crazy to think I’ve played golf well over half my life.
TJG: How do you prepare for just 9 shots? Is it different than preparing for a full tournament?
Kimsey: Normally, I practice some element(s) of golf 4-5 days a week, more or less if it’s a tournament week. Starting in September I’ve been playing golf six days a week anywhere from 2-6 hours a day. It has been hard with going to school full time but I’ve made it work. This final week before heading to Texas my mom has taken me to numerous different golf courses for practice dry runs of how DCP will go with scoring. As an example, my mom will take me to a course say “Sterling Grove” a nice public course on the west side of town. She leaves me to stretch and warm up while she goes to paces off the putting and chipping holes. After multiple rounds, we take a break and she’ll change holes. Preparing for an 18-hole tournament is definitely my favorite and I would much rather prepare for a tournament then DCP. I’ll keep trying for DCP until I age out, but fingers and toes are crossed this is my year.
TJG: Do you have any hobbies outside of golf?
Kimsey: Spending time in the gym is important to me a few times a week. In school I’m in band playing the trumpet and choir singing second soprano. Our school has an award-winning Arts programs and I’m proud to be in both. Baking is also a fun hobby I enjoy doing on non-tournament weekends. If time allows, my brother and I both like playing some video games such a Mario Smash Bro’s and Hogwarts Legacy.
TJG: Anything else you’d like to share?
Kimsey: My family and I are so thankful for the help your organization, TJG is doing for kids who want to play golf. Golf is an expensive sport and as the saying goes it takes a village to help raise a child. Your help has taken some stress off my parents. I hope to make everyone proud and do good in Texas. Please send some prayers and/or good energy my way on Oct 5th.
We are incredibly proud of you, Kimsey, and wish you all the best in Texas! No matter the outcome, you are already a winner in our eyes, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.
If you’d like to partner with Today’s Junior Golfer (TJG) in our mission to support young golfers like Kimsey— whether it’s helping them compete in tournaments, providing essential golf equipment and gear, or simply keeping their dreams alive when challenges arise — please consider making a tax-deductible donation by clicking here.
Together, we can help the next generation of golfers stay in the game they love and continue chasing their dreams.
Thank you for your support!
