The Masters has made a major impact on the Cepeda family in Kaaawa.

“I honestly know almost everything about The Masters,” Kahuku Intermediate seventh-grader Mia Cepeda says. “We wake up in the middle of the night to watch it on six different screens. I know the hole names and the players.”

She also knows she will be playing Augusta National on April 7 — the Sunday before the 2019 Masters begins — in the sixth annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals. It is shown live on The Golf Channel.

Cepeda won the Girls 12-13 division in the regional last month at Torrey Pines, which was dotted with signs reading “The Road to Augusta Starts Here!” She is one of 80 juniors, representing 27 states and four Canadian provinces, to earn an invitation.

The free competition began this summer, at nearly 300 sites covering every state. There were nine other regionals last month, at other legendary links like Winged Foot and Congressional Country Club.

Cepeda beat a bunch of qualifiers from California and Arizona, as did Scarlett Schremmer of Ewa Beach, who placed seventh in the same division. Hawaii had a foursome finish in the top three of the eight divisions — Cepeda, Madison Takai, Gregory Jackson Jr. and Ian Chapital, who was first alternate in Boys 12-13, a point out of first.

Mia’s little sister Ava took sixth in Girls 10-11, in her third trip to Torrey Pines. Ava was eighth at this year’s IMG Junior Worlds.

Both Cepedas and Schremmer play out of the First Tee Hawaii program at Royal Kunia, where Baxter and Karla Cepeda are assistant coaches, when they aren’t coaching AYSO soccer.

Only regionals winners advanced at Torrey Pines and Cepeda, who won by 12 points, is only the second from Hawaii to get to Augusta, following Kate Nakaoka last year.

Mia says she was inspired by the pull of seeing The Masters up close, and by Drive, Chip & Putt, a partnership of The Masters, PGA of America and USGA. The “youth golf development program” tests the game’s “essential skills” – accuracy in driving, chipping and putting.

“I honestly couldn’t believe I won,” Mia says. “I knew I did great, though it just didn’t kick in right away I’d compete on TV on the greatest golf course in the world. During interviews I tried to keep in my tears. All my hard work and crazy thoughts paid off. I’m so happy I made my family, dad and mostly myself proud.”

It has been a family affair since the girls were born. Their father “fell in love with The Masters” in middle school. He has been “obsessed with everything about this amazing sport ever since, especially The Masters. I love learning about it.”

The obsession was passed on to his daughters, along with a plastic golf club the moment they could hold it. Karla is pregnant with the latest member of the threesome now. Another club, and Augusta, await.

“Knowing this event so well, I know even for good golfers it’s a miracle to play here,” says Baxter, who finally won the Masters lottery last year and got to watch Wednesday’s practice round. “A miracle which I have wished for more than anything for years now.

“Watching all my heroes at my favorite course was an experience that will be tough to beat, but like Mr. Nicklaus said after his grandson’s success, it will be beaten by watching one of my own kids compete at this magical place. I could not be prouder and cannot wait.”

His girls also compete in the Hawaii State and Oahu Junior Golf Associations, US Kids and others. They played 30 competitive rounds just in June and July.

Baxter Cepeda characterizes First Tee as the “best way to get clubs into new players’ hands” because of its low price, “life and golf coaching” focus and ability to help more experienced players. Mia and Ava help coach younger kids now.

“Mia’s game is well-rounded,” says First Tee program director Stephen Small. “I am very proud, but not surprised that she excelled in Drive, Chip and Putt. She has great touch around the greens and has a silky smooth tempo while swinging the club. It is fun to see her learn how to teach other players as her game improves.”

Both girls see the LPGA in their future, but for now Ava’s favorite part of golf is that “you do not feel rushed and you can just relax and play a really fun game. Golf has taught me many new words and it has opened my life to new experiences l would not have without golf.”

Mia hopes UCLA will be part of her transition to the professional game, and can’t imagine a time when she will not golf.

“I hope to have the same great friends in golf and out,” Mia says, “and have a super happy life just like now.”

Going to Augusta again would not be bad either. Drive, Chip and Putt finalists get to watch Monday’s Masters practice round, which beats getting up in the middle of the night.