The 2024 AIA state golf tournament proved Alexis Lamadrid ‘27 as champion. Despite the season ending in early November, Lamadrid has been a very active player.
Recently, Lamadrid won the National Amateur Championship in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
The word amateur does not imply that these athletes are any less talented, just that they cannot be paid for competition. Most amateurs at these competitions are collegiate athletes or slightly younger. In Lamadrid’s case, she is 16 and a sophomore in high school, putting her on the younger side of the age groups.
She was invited to this tournament on January 11 in Yucatan, Mexico. Lamadrid competed against players from around the world. About 83 women competed against Lamadrid for this amateur title in southeast Mexico.
Though Lamadrid is both American and Mexican, she was chosen to represent the association. “I was just really honored that they chose me to represent them,” Lamadrid said.
At this historic tournament, with par 72, Lamadrid consistently shot 74, 73, 74 and 75, respectively in the four rounds played. She and her teammate earned third place overall. Lamadrid and her teammates Regina Roldan and Miren Ontanon had previously played for Mexico in Canada last fall.
For a Mexican-American to win this competition is quite remarkable, considering there are few dual citizens who play for Mexico. She received the Lorena Ochoa Trophy for being the winning Mexican competitor.
Due to this win, Lamadrid qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur. She described this experience as, “Quite surreal because it’s the top juniors, but more importantly it’s the top collegiate athletes.”
About 15 years ago, another Gator golfer, Margarita Ramas, attended this competition, but did not walk away a champion like Lamadrid.
Head golf coach Tui Selvaratnam explained that since golf is an individual sport, Lamadrid can continue competing in Amatuer competitions even during the school season.
Selvaratnam has been coaching Lamadrid and her sister, Natalia Lamadrid ‘26, on the Xavier golf team for three years now and has been “familiar with the talent of the family” for a while.
At age 4 Lamadrid’s dad brought golf into her and her older sister’s lives. The Lamadrid sisters call the Dobson Ranch Golf Course their home course, but enjoy competing across the valley.
“In addition to invites to future amateur tournaments and junior events this is huge because she is exempted from qualifying matches. She is already in the field,” Selvaratnam added.
Vice president of activities and women’s golf fanatic Sister Lynn Winsor ‘61 believes Lamadrid will be heavily recruited as she is a competitive player. Lamadrid shared that although she cannot be directly addressed by coaches until this summer, she is hopeful for future offers from schools.
Her next competition takes place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where she will be competing unattached against new competitors and many she has faced before. This invitational is called the Dustin Johnson Invitational and will take place in mid March. “I will continue to represent Xavier well and strive to do my best as always,” said Lamadrid.
