Peruvian Patrick Sparks arrived at his third Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC), in Pilar Golf, Argentina, ready for his upcoming job in the financial world after graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration from University in North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). His unexpected co-lead through two days of the regional tournament may have delayed that career move.
“It's exciting for sure to be in this position. It's hard not to think about it but again, I want to take it slowly and enjoy these next two days, and we'll see what happens at the end of the week,” said 23-year-old Sparks, whose best finish at the Latin America Amateur was T-25 in 2024 in Panama, which featured a final-round 68.
Sparks shot a 66 (seven birdies and one eagle) on Thursday and 70 on Friday at Pilar Golf for a total of 8 under par. He shared the two-round lead with Caymanian Justin Hastings, the day after the announcement of the site of the 2026 Latin America Amateur Championship: Lima, Peru.
“We will train even harder than this year, knowing it is in Peru and wanting to represent our country,” said Sparks, one of two Peruvians in the field along with Mauricio Tello, who turned 18 on January 9 and shot 4-under in his second round to make the cut after two starts at the LAAC.
“I am happy about how solid I started and finished today,” said Tello, a freshman at UNCW. “I have played all the tournaments so far in college and Patrick is my assistant coach this semester,” added the 18-year-old Peruvian about his mentor in college and at the Latin America Amateur.
“When you coach and you work with the players, you learn from each of them,” said Sparks about his work under Coach Daniel Bowden. “Patrick was great in directing us towards Mauricio,” said Bowden, who coached Sparks during his four years at UNCW.
“His tempo and demeanor on the course are remarkable. His putting is especially good. He was nicknamed ‘Paddy Putts’ in college because he is an incredible putter and he loves to putt,” added Coach Bowden.
“I got to travel with him a couple of times and he is a great young man. He is quite calm and consistent on the golf course and manages his emotions really well. I hope he has the best possible finish on Sunday,” said Luis Fernando Barco, who holds the best finish of a Peruvian at the LAAC (3rdrd in 2019 and 2016) and is the only Peruvian to have competed in a major (2021 U.S. Open).
Another Peruvian regular in previous editions of the Latin America Amateur, Julian Perico, had some words of advice for Sparks.
“I told him to stay in the present and the present is the only thing that matters. The days and nights are going to feel long. It will help him win the battle against himself and have a chance in the last holes,” said Perico, who was in contention several times in the LAAC.
The cohesion and support among Peruvian golfers will be a big factor during the preparation for the 2026 Latin American Amateur in Lima Golf Club, when the host country will have at least eight players in the field.
For now, Martin Alarco and Martin Serkovic, the Director and the President of the Peruvian Golf Federation, are already rejoicing at the fact that Sparks is in contention at Pilar Golf and could become the first player from Peru to win the Latin America Amateur Championship and play the Masters and The Open.
