The Puerto Rican representation at Grand Reserve Golf Club — the largest, followed by Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, with eight players each — consists of Morales and Hernandez, Diego Saavedra-Dávila, Jerónimo Esteve, Robi Calvesbert, Max Alverio, Ian Aldarondo, Gustavo Rangel, and Roberto Nieves.
The golfers representing Puerto Rico at the first Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) on the island include veterans like 39-year-old Erick Morales, one of the four players in the field who will be competing in their eighth career LAAC, and young rookies like 17-year-old Kelvin Hernández, last week’s runner-up at the Junior Orange Bowl in Florida.
“It is truly amazing being able to play my first LAAC on my island and represent my country. We have nine very strong players and a good chance to keep the trophy at home,” said Hernández about the prospects of a Puerto Rican player winning for the first time in the event’s history.
The Puerto Rican representation at Grand Reserve Golf Club — the largest, followed by Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, with eight players each — consists of Morales and Hernandez, Diego Saavedra-Dávila, Jerónimo Esteve, Robi Calvesbert, Max Alverio, Ian Aldarondo, Gustavo Rangel, and Roberto Nieves.
“I am really excited to get going in Puerto Rico for this event. My first LAAC was last year in the Dominican Republic, and it was my favorite event I have ever played,” said 22-year-old Nieves, who finished runner-up in 2022 at Casa de Campo.
“Seeing Roberto Nieves do so well last year and having a chance to win down the stretch was a huge motivator,” said Saavedra-Dávila, a sophomore at Harvard University, where he earned Second Team All-Ivy League Honors as a freshman.
“It has been a goal of mine to play in the LAAC since I was 15 years old. When I found out it was going to be in Puerto Rico, it became even a bigger goal,” added 20-year-old Saavedra-Dávila, making his debut at the Latin America Amateur Championship this week.
For 31-year-old Calvesbert, playing his third LAAC this week, the Championship is going to pose a great challenge for the players while being “a great opportunity for a lot of people to see what Puerto Rico has to offer.”
“It is great to see all these talented golfers coming to Puerto Rico. The last few years have been challenging but look where we are with the Yunque National Forest behind us. Our island is doing great,” said Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez, one of five Puerto Ricans in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Rodríguez is a big fan, dedicated golfer, and supporter of Puerto Rican golfers. “This is what we need to do, continue the work and continue helping these great kids. We have a very talented golf team here in Puerto Rico,” added Rodríguez.
“I am excited to play this championship in my country and in front of my people. I am sure we are going to see one of the Puerto Rican players on the top of the leaderboard on the weekend,” said Alverio, making his fifth appearance after a two-year absence from the LAAC.
In addition to the home advantage, the local players will be able to use their expertise at Grand Reserve Golf Club, the site of the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open since 2008. “I feel more comfortable than most with the course because I have had the chance to play the Puerto Rico Open four times,” said Morales, the only Puerto Rican amateur to make the cut at the Puerto Rico Open.
The most veteran of the Puerto Ricans, 41-year-old Esteve, is playing his seventh LAAC this week, is focusing his predictions on the younger players. “We have several kids who could win this Championship: Aldarondo shot a 64 on this course a few weeks ago, Saavedra-Davila won the national amateur event, and Hernandez just finished T-2 at the Orange Bowl.”
“We have a deep golf tradition and every year we are writing a new chapter,” he said about the Puerto Ricans aspirations to emulate Esteve’s first coach, golf legend Chi Chi Rodríguez, the only player born in the island to compete in all three of the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, and The Open.
