Argentine Amateur: A 21st birthday to remember for Juan Martin Loureiro

February 21, 2024 | by Amit Pandey of AmateurGolf.com

Juan Martin Loureiro (Argentine Golf Association photo)

Martin Loureiro, who won the 2023 Porter Cup, celebrated his birthday with a birdie on the final hole to win

Juan Martin Loureiro of Buenos Aires, Guernica, defeated Ramiro Valentin Acevedo In the 36-hole with a final-hole birdie for a 1UP win to lift the 129th Argentine Amateur Championship at San Isidro Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Loureiro initially dominated the first half of the final round with a commanding 5-up score. However, in the second half, Acevedo seized control of the tournament, turning the tables by winning five of the nine holes and narrowing the gap to 2-up. By the 12th (30th) hole, they found themselves in a shared lead.

On the 31st hole, Acevedo broke the tie, taking a 1 UP lead in the tournament. Nevertheless, Loureiro swiftly rebounded on the subsequent hole, once again leveling the score. Over the next three holes, they engaged in a close, shot-for-shot battle. Finally, on the last hole, Loureiro secured victory with a birdie, marking a special birthday celebration.

Before reaching the finale, Loureiro posted scores of 75-72, securing the 27th seed for the matchplay section of the tournament. In the round of 32, he triumphed over the No. 6 seed Franco Ricciardelli with a convincing 3 & 1 victory. Progressing to the round of 16, Loureiro continued his success by defeating the No. 22 seed, Nicolas Zappacosta. In the Quarter-Finals, he faced Julian Lombisano and emerged victorious with a 2 & 1 result, earning his spot in the semi-finals.

In a determined display, Loureiro overcame 14th-seeded Lucas Cena in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a showdown with Acevedo in the finals.

Loureiro currently ranks 170th on the AmateurGolf.com/Golfweek World Rankings. Last year, he won the Porter Cup by defeating Charlie Barridge by a two-shot margin in Lewiston, N.Y.

Related: Porter Cup - Juan Martin Loureiro, Sarah Gallagher take home the titles

Agustina Gomez Cisterna dominates to win the Women’s title

Agustina Gomez Cisterna, a graduate student at the University of Louisville Athletic from Buenos Aires, Argentina, secured victory in the 119th Argentine Amateur Championship. In the 36-hole showdown, she triumphed over Maria Ines Jaime from Paraguay with an impressive 11-up result.

The contest concluded after 26 holes, with Maria claiming only one hole – the 11th hole of the tournament. In contrast, Agustina won seven consecutive holes from the 15th through the 21st to take a commanding 9-up lead. She won within the next five holes, ultimately emerging as the champion with an 11-up advantage.

Among the prestigious amateur championships worldwide, the Argentine Amateur Championship holds the distinguished sixth rank in terms of seniority. Its lineage traces back solely to a select few, including the esteemed Amateur Championship of Great Britain, inaugurated in 1885, followed by the Irish Amateur Championship in 1892, the Irish Amateur Championship for natives in 1893, and the United States Amateur Championship, commencing in 1894.

The New Zealand Amateur Championship, also originating in 1893, completes this exclusive list. Notably, Argentina shares its esteemed position with the Canadian Amateur and the Wales Amateur, both established in 1895.

Results: Argentine Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts
Win	Juan Martin Loureiro	, Argentina	400
Runner-up	Ramiro Valentin Acevedo	, Argentina	300
Semifinals	Ramiro Goti	, Argentina	200
Semifinals	Lucas Cena	, Argentina	200
Quarterfinals	Joaquin Grassi	, Argentina	100

View full results for Argentine Amateur

About the Argentine Amateur

Argentine Amateur: A 21st birthday to remember for Juan Martin Loureiro

The Argentine Amateur (Campeonato Argentino de Aficionados) is an international match play tournament, with 36 hole stroke play qualifying to determine 64 players for match play.