Kids these days

Writing from Golf, Illinois

Friday, April 3. 2026 

For those who have been around the block more than a couple of times, golf is hard.

Then there are the four youngsters who will represent the Chicago area in Sunday’s national Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National Golf Club.

For that Fab Four, golf is simple. They smack drives long and straight. They chip with the touch of a surgeon. They sink putts from all points of the compass.

They’ll learn. For the nonce, golf is blissful, and each of the four has a chance to come home with a trophy to go with the satchel of memories any trip to Augusta, especially one inside the ropes, gathers.

Here are the four, from a total of 1,063 competitors in the Illinois PGA Section, who advanced through three stages of competition, including the Regional Final at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wis.:

• Patricia Kittivat of Schaumburg (Girls 7-9)

• Vihaan Patel of Streamwood (Boys 10-11)

• Lucy Wiertel of Oswego (Girls 10-11)

• Carter Bird of Hinsdale (Boys 14-15)

Carter Bird, Lucy Wiertel, Vihaan Patel and Patricia Kittivat (Tim Cronin / Illinois Golfer)

Of the group, Wiertel has an advantage. This is her second trip. She finished ninth in the Girls 7-9 bracket two years ago.

She looks forward to a better finish this time, and told her cohorts what to expect.

“It’s going to be one of the best experiences you’ll ever be in,” Wiertel said at a gathering of the four qualifiers at the Illinois PGA office last month. “It’s amazing. It will make you smile so big. Just enjoy the moment. Enjoy it with your dad.

“Put your mind on enjoying the moment. Don’t get too caught up on winning it. And definitely try to shake the hand of as many green jackets as you can.”

Wiertel did that in 2024 and struck up an acquaintanceship with one of them.  He became a fan and sent her a gift package later.

“I think it’s more fun to do Drive, Chip and Putt than certain tournaments. In those, sometimes you have to hit out of the rough.”

The others have been counting the days with great anticipation.

“A lot,” said Kittivat, who said she looked to the competition most of all and “meeting new people."

Patel said the best part of his game at the moment is his iron play, which could mean a big day in chipping. But there are only two chips, to go with a pair of drives and two putts, both on the treacherous 18th green.

“I practiced in my garage on the simulator,” Patel said.

“The margin for error is a lot less than in a tournament,” Bird said.

Bird said aside from the Sunday morning competition, he’s excited about watching the Monday practice round. Players and their parents get admission to Monday’s practice, when the majority of the Masters field turns out for at least nine holes. Bird, who also plays hockey and lacrosse, is a fan of Jordan Spieth, a choice by no means random.

“He went to the same high school and was in the same class as my cousin,” Bird said.

Most players pick their mom or dad as their caddie. Bird picked his grandfather, Dr. Tony Bernard, as his caddie, which will fulfill his lifelong dream of stepping foot on Augusta National.

All four have grown up in a golf culture that includes Illinois Junior Golf Association tournament play, as well as U.S. Kids national play in some cases. While only Wiertel has Augusta experience, all have been in various golf rodeos.

But Easter Sunday will be different. The grass really is greener at Augusta National. Golf Channel coverage begins at 7 a.m.

– Tim Cronin