Viera’s Vivian and Olivia Luu would like nothing more
than to get an invite to the famed Augusta National Golf Club, home of the
Masters, to compete in the finals of the 2019 Drive, Chip and Putt
Championships.
On Saturday, June 29, the sisters will be among the area’s best aspiring central Florida junior golfers who will compete during the first leg of the annual skills competition at Duran Golf Club. One of more than 290 local qualifying sites throughout the nation, the Viera club will host the event for the third year. Vivian, 13, who has qualified in all skill sets at the local level in past years, narrowly missed an opportunity to compete at the state level in 2016, placing third overall. “I think chipping is where I excel most,” she said. To get a chance to compete in Augusta would be something I would forever remember. It would be an exclamation point to what I have accomplished in the sport so far.” And she has accomplished alot. Including three hole-in-ones; the most memorable in tournament play at just 10 years-old. Luu, who has been golfing in US Kids tournaments since she was 6, hit that ace on a par three 112 yard shot back in 2016 during the World Championships at Pinehurst, NC. She finished her last round of 18 with a 76. “That was definitely my best moment in golf,” she exclaimed. She hopes to qualify again this summer at the event that host junior players up to 15 years-old. Her drives, now topping the 230-250 yard range, are impressive for her age. She spends a lot of her practice time with the girls on the Viera High School team. She and Olivia frequently play in a Harris League at Duran, with Dad, John. The girls, (the only junior golfers in the league) have outscored several teams, including Dad and his (co-worker) partner. “It’s often interesting to watch the two of them go head-to-head,” said John Luu. “It’s great to be able to share this time on the course with my girls.” Olivia, 10, who gravitated to the sport after watching her big sister, hopes to use her “green reading” skills to advance to her first DCP qualifier. “I really like the game. I’m working hard to focus on all the fundamentals, but I think putting is my best skillset and favorite.”
