The Women’s Amateur Latin America championship (WALA),
presented by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, is set to write another new
chapter in its history.
In 2026, the championship will celebrate its sixth
edition and travel to Guatemala for the first time, building on a journey that
has established it – in just five years – as one of the leading platforms for
the development of women’s amateur golf in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Since the inaugural edition in 2021, WALA has brought
together the region’s leading amateur golfers at outstanding venues. Pilar
Golf, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, hosted the first three editions. There,
Colombia’s Valery Plata became the championship’s inaugural winner in 2021,
followed by Argentina’s Valentina Rossi in 2022 and her compatriot Ela Anacona
in 2023.
In 2024, the championship entered a new phase as it
travelled beyond Argentina for the first time. Lima Golf Club, in Peru, hosted
the fourth edition as it celebrated its 100th anniversary, with
Mexico’s Clarisa Temelo taking the title.
A year later, the Women’s Amateur Latin America
continued to expand its reach, travelling to Mexico for its debut there. PGA
Riviera Maya, in Tulum, hosted the fifth edition in 2025, which concluded with
a memorable finish as Colombia’s María José Marín claimed the title after a
three-hole play-off against Barbados’ Emily Odwin.
Now the championship continues to expand its presence across the region as it heads to Guatemala. El Pulté Golf, situated in the hills above Guatemala City, will host the sixth edition from 19–22 November.
Each of these venues has left its own mark on WALA’s history. In every host country, the championship has found a setting that supports its growth and broadens its reach. Its visits to Argentina, Peru and Mexico have introduced the tournament to new golfing communities and created an impact that extends beyond the competition, inspiring new generations of golfers and strengthening the development of women’s golf in each country.
The growth of the Women’s Amateur Latin America also
reflects The R&A’s and the ANNIKA Foundation’s commitment to the
development of women’s golf across the region. Together, the two organizations
have established a high-level championship that gives Latin American golfers a
platform to showcase their talent and take the next steps in their careers.
The championship was created with a clear purpose: to
nurture the talent of the region’s leading amateur golfers and provide them
with a pathway to the international stage.
Annika Sörenstam, the ten-time major champion, said,
“We are so excited to bring the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship to El
Pulté Golf in Guatemala for the first time, with the support of Guatemala’s
public and private sectors.
“Bringing the championship to El Pulté will not only
help promote Guatemala as an international golf destination, but also to help
provide the players with an exceptional experience at a premier venue. We’re
really looking forward to bringing the championship to a new region of Latin
America.”
The WALA champion receives invitations to compete in
three of the five women’s majors in 2027: the AIG Women’s Open, at Royal St
George’s in England; The Chevron Championship, at Memorial Park Golf Course in
the United States of America; and The Amundi Evian Championship, at Evian
Resort Golf Club in France. The title also opens up further opportunities on
the international amateur calendar.
The championship’s growth can also be measured through
the achievements of its players. Several WALA champions and participants have
used it as a platform to take significant steps towards the highest levels of
international golf. From Plata to Marín, the WALA has played a part in the
development of some of the most promising young talents in Latin American
women’s golf.
With five editions completed, three host countries and
a history that has already showcased the region’s growing talent to the world,
WALA arrives in Guatemala with an increasingly strong identity and a clear
vision for the future. Its mission remains unchanged: to drive the development
of women’s amateur golf in Latin America and the Caribbean.
For this latest edition, 60 amateur golfers from South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean will compete for one of the region’s most prestigious women’s amateur golf titles and add a new chapter to the championship’s history.
