Daniela Chapa-Reyes/THE RIDER
Former Ladies Professional Golf Association player Lorena Ochoa is set to co-design her first U.S. course along with Rafael Alarcón and Carter Morrish, owners of Alarcón Morrish Golf Course Design.
The course will be located at Champion Lake Golf Course, 2701 S. Ware Road in McAllen.
Ochoa said she and her team have already designed multiple courses in Mexico, but this being the first in the United States is a new exciting challenge.
“We’re looking forward [to it],” she said. “This is the first time that we’re going to do something in the states together.”
The golfer collaborated with the city of McAllen through their mutual connection with Javier Villalobos, McAllen mayor, and Carlos Espinosa, Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Famer and director of Champion Lake Golf Course.
“I fell in love with the work,” Ochoa said. “It’s something new for me, I’m learning a lot. I have two great partners.”
She added she believes they complement each other well because of their Mexican backgrounds, although Espinosa is from the U.S., his legacy as a golf course designer is amazing.
“The way the city is growing is beautiful,” Ochoa said. “I really think it’s an amazing project, not only the golf course but everything that is happening.”
She said she has already had a few meetings with the mayor, and his enthusiasm and the way he talks about McAllen and the money invested are amazing.
“It’s not only a small project, it’s a huge project, so I think it’s going to be … the right step to go to the United States,” Ochoa said.
She said the course will differ from others as it is going to be a short Par-3 course, which is a bit more informal, but perfect for the city and its people.
“You could play for a few hours, you could borrow a few golf clubs and try the game, … hit the ball and get to learn what it’s all about,” Ochoa said.
She added she wants the public to see the course as a place where they can go with their families to enjoy an afternoon.
“The idea is to hook more players … especially girls and boys into this beautiful game,” Ochoa said.
Houston Moore, director of golf at UTRGV, said his initial reaction to hearing Ochoa was to be excited, as it is huge for the RGV and the golf programs.
“I think there’ll be a lot of golf shots that our guys and girls will be able to hit that they don’t necessarily have the opportunity to on some of the current golf courses down here,” Moore said.
He added he thinks the course will be challenging and different from what everyone is used to in the Valley.
Ochoa said she is trying to help girls and women feel more comfortable playing the sport. Most people are afraid of going to golf courses because they think golf is a difficult sport or too expensive, and the team wants to diminish that perception.
“Seeing golf as a beautiful game that you could learn so much and grow so much, to just learn all these different abilities and … the values the game teaches you,” she said.
Ochoa added seeing a woman designer for a golf course is not very common, and she is proud to be Mexican and feels the support from the Hispanic community.
The exact date for the golf course opening has not yet been announced.
