I’m excited to compete and see my friends (in Thornton)!”

Denali Yonkee

TORRINGTON – Golf is typically regarded as a serious, reserved sport. Fans observe from a hushed distance – cheering and chanting is kept to a minimum so golfers can concentrate. A set of complex rules and regulations govern proper golf course etiquette. 

There are plenty of opportunities for fun, however. Incoming Torrington fourth-grader Denali Yonkee and third-grader Oaklee Yonkee decided to mix things up on the golf course one day.

“We practiced our driving on a hoverboard,” Oaklee said.

Driving in golf is a difficult skill to master, especially when suspended on a moving object several inches off the ground.

“You have to try to stand still and just move your arms,” Denali added.

Denali and Oaklee recently competed at the Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifier at the Buffalo Golf Club beneath the Bighorn Mountains on June 9. Both young golfers advanced to the top three in their age category to advance to the Drive, Chip and Putt sub-regional qualifier in Thornton, Colorado on August 9.

Denali clinched third overall in the 10-12-year-old division, collecting 39 points after completing each of the three golf skills competitions at the Buffalo Golf Club. Oaklee bagged first place in the 7-9-year old category, tallying 49 points by dominating the leaderboard in driving, chipping and putting.

The sub-regional competition in Thornton is the next step on the road for golfers hoping to snag a coveted ticket to compete at Drive, Chip and Putt national finals hosted by the historic Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia – a nationally televised event taking place the week before the Masters Tournament in April. 

The top two athletes at the sub-regional qualifiers in Thornton progress to the regional competition at Hazeltine National Golf Club outside Minneapolis, Minnesota in October – the final stop before the national finals.

The Drive, Chip and Putt tournaments provide an opportunity for young golfers to hone their skills and experience playing at large events.

“Competing (at Drive, Chip and Putt) has been beneficial and driven the girls to be better at practice and to be more focused,” father Daniel Yonkee said. “In Buffalo, when Denali was competing, Oaklee was right there cheering her on and vice versa.”

Big goals

Denali and Oaklee are both seasoned golfers with several years of experience already under their belts. Denali competed at the Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifier in Casper in 2024 and made it to the sub-regional qualifiers.

Denali began playing golf approximately four years ago.

“I started playing with my dad’s putter – I got home from daycare one day and started putting,” Denali recalled.

Denali watched the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals in Augusta, Georgia, on television and set her sights on playing at the world-famous golf course one day.

“I always wanted to do that,” Denali said.

Oaklee took her first swings on the golf course several years ago as well. The young golfer started out with plastic clubs but quickly graduated to a metal set.

“If I had plastic clubs now, I would probably break them,” Oaklee said.

Denali and Oaklee typically put in one-and-a-half to two hours at the course on days they practice throughout the year. In warmer months, the sisters dedicate hours to sharpening their techniques at Cottonwood Golf Course in Torrington. When cold, snow, wind, rain or hail make outdoor practice impossible, Denali and Oaklee rely on an indoor putting mat at home.

The young golfers also take advantage of the local junior golf program each summer at Cottonwood Golf Course directed by course manager and golf professional David Dent. The program instills the fundamentals of the sport and competition in addition to a heavy dose of proper golf etiquette, Denali and Oaklee’s mother Noelle Yonkee said.

Denali and Oaklee both look up to professional golfer Tiger Woods. Woods was the first golfer Denali remembered watching on television. Denali is also a fan of American golfer Ricky Fowler. The sisters follow U.S. golfing professional Scottie Scheffler as well.

Oaklee’s favorite golf skill to compete in is driving.

“You get to hit the ball far,” Oaklee said.

Oaklee finds putting the most difficult skill to master.

“The green goes fast,” Oaklee remarked. “I’ve hit really good (putts) and bad ones. When I got my first putt, it felt good.”

According to Denali, driving is the hardest skill out of the three to learn.

“You have to be sure to hit it in bounds versus getting out of bounds,” Denali said.

Even though Denali found driving a challenge, it is also her favorite at competitions.

“I like to hit the ball and see how far it goes,” Denali added.

Oaklee and Denali are both multisport athletes. In addition to golf, Denali plays basketball, volleyball, tennis and soccer. Volleyball is the favorite of the four.

“I like hitting the ball and getting my anger out,” Denali noted.

Oaklee also plays basketball, volleyball and soccer. Basketball is her favorite.

Golf is a great way to prepare for the other sports the sisters participate in.

“In basketball, shooting is like swinging up with a club,” Oaklee said.

Denali found swinging at tennis camp a breeze because of the techniques she learned in golf.

Denali and Oaklee are both gearing up for the sub-regional qualifiers in Thornton in several weeks.

“I’m excited to compete and see my friends (in Thornton),” Denali said.

Playing in the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals in front of a nationwide audience where the world’s greatest golfers gather in Augusta remains the No. 1 goal for Denali and Oaklee. Denali also hopes to play golf for the Torrington High School Blazers and possibly at the college level. Her long-term plans involve becoming a hairstylist or a professional volleyball player.

For now, Oaklee is focusing on performing well at golf competitions and “playing golf on a team someday.”