Athlete of the Week: Myles Pena qualifies for Drive, Chip & Putt regionals

Myles Pena is a Lincoln 12-year-old golfer and a Twelve Bridges Middle School seventh-grader. Pena has already impressed in a plethora of ways, such as getting a hole-in-one at a U.S. Kids Tournament last season and multiple Top 5 performances in First Tee events. Now, Pena is adding to his resume by tying for first-place in the 12- to 13-year-old division at the Drive, Chip & Putt sub-regional qualifier at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on Aug. 2. Drive, Chip & Putt is a nationwide skills competition for ages 7 to 15 years old. Each player gets nine total shots, three drives, three chip shots of 10 to 15 yards from the hole and three putts with distances of six, 15 and 30 feet. There is a points system based on the distance of the drive and proximity to the hole for chipping and putting. Pena totaled 137 points in the sub-regional event with his biggest strength being chipping where he scored 50 points. Pena will now advance to the regional qualifier at the world famous Pebble Beach Golf Links on Sept. 25 in hopes to make it to the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The Lincoln News Messenger asked Pena some questions and his answers follow. How exciting is it to qualify for regionals and what does it mean to you that you'll have the opportunity to showcase your talent at Pebble Beach? Pena: "I think it's pretty exciting because I get to represent Lincoln and Northern California. I love the pressure of competition with people watching!" What do you enjoy the most about golf? Pena: "Just being out in nature, spending time with my dad, hanging out with my golf friends and playing a sport that I love." What are your thoughts on your performance at subregionals and in what areas do you need to improve prior to regionals in September? Pena: "I performed well, hitting all my drives straight and chipping close. I need to improve my putting, I did not quite putt how I wanted. I need to make the short putt to have a chance at winning." Do you have a favorite professional athlete and if so who? Pena: "My favorite golfers are Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods. I also love Stephan Curry, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. I'm a 49ers and Warriors fan." Do sports run in your family? If so, who has played and at what levels? Pena: "My father played most sports as a kid and through high school, and always has sports on at home. My mother didn't play organized sports but is really into health and fitness. She teaches yoga in her free time." Have you ever been involved in other sports? Pena: "When I was younger, I played baseball but stopped for my other activities. I currently train and compete in Jiu-Jitsu and play Amateur Athletic Union basketball for Lincoln Elite." Do you have a favorite round you've participated in or a favorite memory from your golf career up to this point? Pena: "My favorite memory is my hole-in-one at Pinehurst for the U.S. Kids World Championship last year. My favorite round was shooting par from the men's tees for the first time at Turkey Creek Golf Club. That's where I first learned to play." Do you have a favorite genre of music or favorite musical artist/band? Pena: "I really like 311, Polyphia, Imagine Dragons and OneRepublic." Favorite restaurant and favorite food? Pena: "My favorite restaurant is Sizzle Mongolian BBQ in Rocklin. I also love all kinds of sushi." Outside of school and playing golf, what do you like to do in your free time? Pena: "I love to play video games, snowboard, fish, ride my bike and hang out with my sister and friends."