Young Mexican Golfers Dream Big

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(Sophia Sheridan)

For talented young Mexican golfers aspiring to play in the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), becoming a professional golfer is not just a dream. Five young Mexican women were invited to play in the first tournament of the 2011 LPGA Futures Tour season getting a taste of the possibilities. Known as “the road to the LPGA,” the LPGA Futures Tour has been recognized as the developmental tour for women’s professional golf since 1999.

With many professional golf courses across Mexico, it’s an ideal sport to learn, but it’s also a luxury sport, and most Mexican youth don’t have the finances to invest in a golf career after completing their education. Impulsando al Golf Profesional Mexicano (IGPM)* [Advancement of Mexican Professional Golf] helps bridge the gap. Developed four years ago to help young Mexican golfers rise to LPGA Tour player status, the organization provides economic support and professional resources to help Mexican youth improve their golf game.

This year, five young Mexican women supported by IGPM were invited to play in the first 2011 LPGA Futures Tour, Florida’s Natural Charity Classic: (1) Lili Avarez, (2) Tanya Dergal, (3) Marcela Leon, (4) Pamela Ontiveros, and (5) Sophia Sheridan. All were present except for Tanya Dergal, who had already committed to playing in the KIA Classic qualifier. Of the four women who participated in the first LPGA Futures Tour of the season, Sophia Sheridan demonstrated outstanding plays, overcoming various challenges with skill and determination.

Kicking off the 2011 LPGA Futures Tour season on March 21-27, Florida’s Natural Charity Classic was held at Lake Region Yacht and Country Club in Winter Haven, Florida. Other tournaments on the 2011 tour schedule include 16 tours in 13 of the United States and one in Mexico. The same four Mexican players will participate in the second tournament - the Daytona Beach Invitational – on April 1-3, as they strive to obtain their 2012 LPGA Tour card.

For many golfers throughout the world, golf is not just a sport but a way of life and the road to success – and is no longer just a dream thanks to the professional development programs of organizations like Mexico’s IGPM and America’s LPGA. Although amateur golfers may not participate in the big leagues, they can still take a dream golf vacation, and play on championship golf courses throughout Mexico.

* Impulsando al Golf Profesional Mexicano AC (IGPM) is a Mexican non-profit organization established in 2007 by Rosalba Papacostas and Marina Villasana to help young Mexican women achieve their professional dreams. To raise support for aspiring Mexican LPGA golfers, IGPM hosts a fundraiser pro-am tournament before the LPGA Futures Tour season begins (this year on January 24, 2011 at the Mexico City Country Club). Mexican sports celebrities and government officials play an 18-hole tournament together with male and female professional golfers, such as the best Mexican golfer of all time, Lorena Ochoa.

Top 5 Golf Travel Considerations

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Golf travel can be great fun, but vacation planning can be time-consuming and costly given the need to research and coordinate hotel rooms and tee times. One of the fastest and most cost-effective methods of planning a golf vacation is through a golf travel expert who can arrange golf packages that include the hotel, golf courses, and sometimes even golf carts and transportation.

Since a golf vacation offers the opportunity to play all year long in warm climates, many travel destinations have recognized their ability to yield excellent golf courses; have contracted with leading golf course designers; and are subsequently increasing in popularity. With 200 golf courses, Mexico is one of them; 16 are in the state of Quintana Roo and more are under way.

Offering some of the finest luxury hotels and championship golf courses in Mexico ― expanding soon to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America ― RedGolf® can help you plan a smart golf vacation.

Top 5 Points to Consider:

1.) Golf Resorts

Look for a variety of prescreened, luxury hotels that provide (or partner with) leading travel golf courses and include a quality spa, fitness center, beach club, kids’ club, and travel tours to accommodate family members and non golfers.

2.) Golf Courses

Select from some of the world’s finest championship golf courses. Designed by famous professional golfers and architects, many are built alongside the rainforest, lagoon, ocean, and white sand beaches of Cancun, Cozumel, and the Riviera Maya.

3.) Course Selection

The frequency that travelers want to play golf will influence the number of golf courses selected and the amount of play time invested. For casual golfers, one or two courses may be sufficient; for serious golfers, a different course each day may be preferred.

4.) Book Tee Times

Booking tee times ahead of schedule is common, at least one week and up to 60 days in advance, depending on the popularity of the golf course. We recommend booking discount tee times early at Riviera Maya and Cancun golf courses.

5.) Plan Flexibility

Golf travel can be expensive, so reduce costs (not quality) by combining golf courses with a luxury hotel of your choice. With lower hotel room rates and discount tee times, planning a golf vacation just became more convenient and affordable.