Argentina’s 24-year-old golf sensation, Ela Anacona, is gearing up to defend her Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA) title.
This year, she’s swapping the vibrant rhythms of the tango for the winding fairways of Peru’s historic Lima Golf Club—a debut venue celebrating its 100th anniversary.
With the championship kicking off this Thursday and running through Sunday, Ela is ready to showcase her skills once again on this storied course, surrounded by top talent from across the region.
Starting Thursday and running through Sunday, we’ve got four days of what promises to be spellbinding golf, as 60 players from a dozen countries swing for the fences—or at least the fairways—in a quest for glory.
Anacona’s victory at last year’s WALA wasn’t just a win—it was a golfing clinic. She didn’t just beat the field at Pilar Golf in Argentina; she left them in her dust, finishing a staggering 12 shots ahead.
It was as if she brought a howitzer to a pillow fight. That dominant performance didn’t just land her a trophy; it secured her spot at the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.
There, she made the cut and firmly established herself as one of Latin America’s rising golf stars. Now, she’s back and brimming with confidence.
“I’m excited to be going back to play in the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship in Peru,” said Anacona.
“Lima Golf Club is one of my favourite spots in South America. I can’t wait to see everyone compete and make some great memories.
I was just trying to do my best last year and was so happy with the result. I look forward to another great week in Peru.”
A Storied Venue and a Diverse Field
The Lima Golf Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and what better way to mark the occasion than hosting a championship of this calibre?
Nestled in the San Isidro neighbourhood, the par-71 course isn’t just picturesque with its skyline views and tree-lined fairways—it’s a challenge.
The layout, which tested the best at the 2019 Pan American Games, will demand precision from tee to green.
Anacona will face stiff competition, with players ranging from Venezuela’s 15-year-old prodigy Maria Mercedes Tablante to Argentina’s 50-year-old veteran Maria Olivero, who led after two rounds last year and recently notched her 12th win at the Argentine Women’s Stroke Play.
Local favourite Zoe Pinillos, an 18-year-old college golfer at Augusta University, is also in the mix and couldn’t be more thrilled about playing on home turf.
“This is a pretty special championship for me,” said Pinillos. “It’s here in my country, Peru.
I’m very excited as I can see my family, enjoy this course, and compete with some of the best in the world.”
Beyond the Fairways: WALA’s Mission
The Women’s Amateur Latin America isn’t just about trophies and leaderboards—it’s about creating opportunities.
Presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, this championship isn’t just about trophies and tee times—it’s part of a grander plan to grow women’s golf across Latin America.
With players jetting in from Guatemala, Barbados, Bolivia, and beyond, WALA is flinging open the doors in places where golf is still learning to salsa.
It’s about giving golf a swing in parts of the world where fairways are scarcer than my chances of hitting a straight drive, but the dreams are as big as a 400-yard tee shot with a tailwind.
Take Peru, for instance. The country has only 13 golf courses, yet the sport is on the rise thanks to initiatives like the ‘Golf for All’ program.
This initiative brought us the San Bartolo public course, a game-changer that offers free lessons to kids from low-income families. It’s proof that golf can be accessible, not exclusive.
A Ticket to the Big Leagues
The stakes at WALA are high. The winner not only gets bragging rights but also exemptions to the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl and two other majors—the Chevron Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. Talk about life-changing opportunities.
And it’s not just about the pros in waiting. Over half the field has juggled university studies in the U.S. while sharpening their games, showing that the next generation of golfers can handle both books and birdies.
What’s Next?
With live coverage on Golf Channel Latin America, fans across the region can follow every drive, chip, and putt.
The action promises to be fierce, the setting stunning, and the stories inspiring. Whether Anacona can repeat her dominant performance or a new star emerges, one thing’s certain: this year’s Women’s Amateur Latin America championship will be one to remember.
For all the latest updates, visit walagolf.com.
