Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern MaryKate Rumbaugh
CASA DE CAMPO, Dominican Republic – Wilmington University men's golfer Enrique Valverde is set to compete in the Latin America Amateur Championship starting Thursday, January 17 in Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic.
Valverde, who is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will get the chance to play against a 108-player field, which is compromised of the top male amateurs from 28 different countries in a 72-hole stroke play event.
The champion of the tournament will receive an invitation to compete in the Masters Tournament, an exemption into The Amateur Championship, conducted by The R&A, and an exemption into the U.S. Amateur Championship and any other USGA amateur championship for which he is eligible. The champion and runner(s)-up will receive an exemption into The Open Qualifying Series – Final Qualifying, with an opportunity to earn a place in The 148th Open at Royal Portrush, and an exemption into sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open with an opportunity to earn a place in the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
In 2014, the Masters Tournament, the R&A, and the USGA announced the formation of the Latin America Amateur Championship in an effort to further develop amateur golf throughout Latin America, but specifically in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Invitations for the championship are sent to the top players from the 29 IOC – recognized countries and territories from the region that are current members of the International Golf Federation.
To be eligible, a player must be an amateur player under the USGA/R&A Rules of Amateur Status, a citizen of the country represented, and listed in WAGRTM for the country represented (will not apply to nominated players).
This year's championship will be hosted by Valverde's home country at the Casa de Campo's Teeth of the Dog. The course features seven holes along the Atlantic Ocean and is ranked as one of the best courses in Latin America. Casa de Campo was named the number one golf resort in the world in 2015 by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.
Enrique Valverde earned CACC All-Tournament Team last year as a freshman for finishing second overall. He appeared in 12 tournaments, playing in 29 rounds his first season as a Wildcat, while averaging a score of 75.83, going 4.45 against the par.
To stay up to date on the tournament and to follow the coverage, visit the Latin American Amateur Championship website; http://www.laacgolf.com/.