Panama continues to demonstrate its ability to host important tournaments in the region and this time it earned the right to host the Latin America Amateur Championship 2024 (LAAC) of Golf. This tournament, which will be played at the Santa María Golf Club, will have the best amateur golfers in the region.
One of the important details of this tournament is that the winner will receive an invitation to play in three majors next year. These will be the Masters Tournament 2024 at the Augusta National Golf Club, The 152nd Open in Royal Troon and the 124th U.S. Open, which will be played in Pinehurst No. 2.
Panama will have an important representation in this amateur golf tournament. A total of six golfers will be participating, including Omar Tejeira (143° in the WAGR), the experienced Miguel Ordoñez (259°) and the young promises of Jean Paul Ducruet (641°) and Samuel Durán (953°).
The president of the Panama Golf Association (Apagolf), Miguel Durán, said during the press conference prior to the tournament that he maintains a “very high expectation” and that Panamanian golfers can hit the table.
“We want our players to be champions. It’s about giving fans this opportunity to have the best players in the region and locals as well. In Panama, golf is growing a lot. In the future we could host the Amateur World Cup,” Durán said.
Meanwhile, golfer Miguel Ordoñez also had words about the LAAC and spoke about the process that a golfer must have and that to be victorious depends on many factors, including extra-cancha.
“Every golfer understands that winning is a combination of several factors. Eat well, train and so on. You can play golf well, but in the end things may not work out so well for you. Personally, I want to enjoy the tournament. There are advantages of being local. I will be able to sleep in my bed, eat the food I’m used to and that’s an advantage,” said the golfer with a long history in the amateur category.
The LAAC will be held from next January 18 and will be extended until the 21st of the same month at the Santa María Golf Club.