The Latin America Amateur Championship is back this week from Jan. 18-21, 2024, at the Santa Maria Golf Club in Panama City, Panama. One of the premier amateur events of the early season, the winner of this event will earn an invitation to the Master's Tournament in April. 

This year, the LAAC will be held at Santa Maria Golf and Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus Design, after being held at the Grand Preserve Golf Club in Panama City, Panama.

The course is known for its difficult No. 9 and No. 18 holes and the four par-3s on the property.

Santa Maria Golf and Country Club 

“It is an honour to host the top men’s Latin American amateurs at our beautiful venue for the 2024 Latin America Amateur Championship,” said José Ignacio Olea, General Manager of Santa María Golf Club, back in January to the R&A. “Santa María Golf Club will provide a quality backdrop to showcase some of the best players in our region.”

Santa María Golf Club was designed in Panamá by Nicklaus Design, the golf firm founded by Jack Nicklaus, and offers views of the nearby Panamá City skyline. The par-72, 7,153-yard course opened in 2012 and has since hosted elite junior events over the past decade. The parkland-style golf course northeast of downtown Panamá City features undulating greens and presents a number of bunkers and lakes.

“We are thrilled that the Latin America Amateur Championship is returning to Panamá and debuting at one of our top courses, Santa María Golf Club,” said President Miguel Duran of the Panamá Golf Association back in January to the R&A. “It’s an exciting time for golf in our country, and the future stars that compete at the LAAC will undoubtedly inspire future Panamanian golfers.”

Players to watch

Jose Islas

Omar Morales

Related: Omar Morales is poised for success at the Latin America Amateur

Santiago De La Fuente

History

Founded by the Masters Tournament, The R&A, and the USGA, the LAAC was established to further develop amateur golf in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The LAAC is a 72-hole stroke play event open to a field of 108 amateur players in Latin America, chosen by their respective national federations according to their World Amateur Golf Ranking. Past winners of the championship, as well as last year’s top-five finishers, are automatically entered into this year’s championship.

What the winner receives

The LAAC champion annually receives an invitation to compete in the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, the U.S. Open, and the British Open. The champion is also awarded full exemptions into The Amateur Championship, the US Amateur Championship and any other USGA amateur championship for which he is eligible.

Last time

Fernandez de Oliveira shot a 5-under 67 in the final round at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Puerto Rico to win the 2023 Latin America Amateur.

He took a four-shot lead into the final round following a brilliant 9-under 63 on Saturday. Fernandez de Oliveira finished the tournament with a record score of 23-under par, which was four shots clear of his closest pursuer, Luis Carrera of Mexico who finished 19-under.

The victory earned de Oliveira invitations to the upcoming Masters, the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool last July. He also earns a spot in the U.S. Open, which was held at Los Angeles Country Club. 

Schedule

Thursday, January 18th – 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET

Friday, January 19th – 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET

Saturday, January 20th – 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET

Sunday, January 21st – 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET

How to Watch

Latin America Amateur Championship contributed to this report