In this episode, Justin Hastings, the 2025 Latin America Amateur Champion, reflects on his recent victory and the journey that led him to this point. He shares insights about the significance of the Latin America Amateur Championship, his experiences leading up to the Masters, and the mindset required for competitive golf. Justin discusses his golfing roots in the Cayman Islands, his transition to college golf at San Diego State, and the goals he and his team have for the upcoming season.
On his relationhip with the LAAC: It's crazy. That tournament (Latin America Amateur) has done so much for golf in our region. I was telling a friend of mine that I remember the first edition 10 years ago in Pilar. I remember where I was, I remember which middle school class I was in when I found about this golf tournament that was sending somebody The Masters. We had, we had two guys playing in it and I was, I was fairly close with them even as a kid.
I think it was my dad that told me, Peyton White's playing to go to the Masters. It was just such a mindblowing thing to hear. From that moment on I'm totally hooked. And then three or four years later, I'm lucky enough to get my first go at it. I made the cut that first year. I'm not sure if this still stands; I think I was the youngest player to make the cut. So that was kind of a huge like thing for me experience and see and feel like I could hang at a young age. Then six years later, obviously still improving. And then eventually getting, getting to here last week is a cool full circle moment for me.