Mexico's Lorena Ochoa is the top female golfer in the world, but her celebrity status reaches far beyond any golf course. A native of Guadalajara, Ochoa has stimulated an interest in golf throughout Mexico, which has about 200 golf courses and a mere 50,000 golfers. A few of her recent accomplishments include 2007 Mexico National Sports Player of the Year, 2007 LPGA Rolex Player of the Year and 2007 Glamour Woman of the Year.
In addition to these accolades, in 2008, TIME magazine named Lorena Ochoa one of the 100 most influential people in the world. While her performance on the golf course is dominant and record-breaking, it is her passion and dedication to those in need off the golf course for which she was honored. "Lorena is a wonderful ambassador for our Tour, a true icon in Mexico and a role model for women across the globe," says LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens.
Using her fame as a philanthropic platform, Ochoa established the Foundation Lorena Ochoa shortly after turning professional. The Foundation adopted an elementary school for 300 low-income children near her hometown, and is dedicated to the education and development of children and teenagers with social and economic disadvantages. The organization's golf tournaments raise awareness about the cause, and also encourage philanthropy among the golfing community and others not directly involved with the sport. Her foundation also received a boost in fall 2008 when it became the beneficiary of the LPGA's inaugural Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara. To attend this annual tournament, please visit www.visitloscabos.travel. To help promote youth golf in Mexico, 27-year-old Ochoa also opened three Ochoa Golf Academies in Guadalajara, with an additional three scheduled to open soon.
Of all her accomplishments, Ochoa knows that when she wins, Mexico wins, and her Foundation is at the heart of those victories. With only 32 percent of Mexico's population finishing elementary school, Ochoa's goal of helping others is slowly catching on. "For me, the Foundation is the most beautiful thing that I have done with my career as a golfer. To be able to help many children with their education is the most important thing in our country."
A devout Roman Catholic, Ochoa believes she is here to do something special, and she's trying to be a force for positive change in her country one victory at a time — one child at a time.
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Mexico's Lorena Ochoa is the top female golfer in the world, but her celebrity status reaches far beyond any golf course. A native of Guadalajara, Ochoa has stimulated an interest in golf throughout Mexico, which has about 200 golf courses and a mere 50,000 golfers. A few of her recent accomplishments include 2007 Mexico National Sports Player of the Year, 2007 LPGA Rolex Player of the Year and 2007 Glamour Woman of the Year.
