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The
Magic of Mexico: How often do you get
the chance
to play golf with the number#1 golfer
in the world?
By
Dave Finn
No,
it wasn't with Tiger, but rather Lorena
Ochoa – the reigning #1 female golfer
in world since April 23, 2007, and Mexico's
national icon. This was my great fortune
in October 2009, when I was invited to
participate in the 3rd Annual AeroMexico
Golf Tournament at the El
Camaleon Mayakoba golf course in the
Riviera Maya, Mexico.
While
it was only a single hole and a single
shot, I now understand how Lorena has
managed to win the hearts of not only
her fellow Mexicans, but fans around the
world.
Lorena
did more than simply lend her ‘Celebrity'
name to the event. From the Opening Celebration
Dinner at the Secrets
Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun Hotel,
to the charity auction held to raise funds
for her foundation, and throughout the
entire event, Lorena was engaged and involved.
She created magic ‘Mexican moments'
not only for the tournament participants,
but for others who did not have the same
opportunity I had to meet her personally.
More on that later…
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I
had played the El Camaleon Golf Course
on a previous visit to Cancun, and
in my mind rated it one of my ‘Top
5' favourites, so it was with great
anticipation that we headed out for
our day of play. Our 8:30 am shot-gun
tee-off was delayed until 10:30. This
delay caused no worries for me - I
was in Mexico and not the office,
so I took advantage of the time to
get in some extra ‘practice'
before the round began.
When
we signed up for the tournament, we
had been asked to submit our official
handicaps and upon arrival that morning
learned that we were playing individually
using the ‘Stableford' scoring
system. What can I say? I was ‘jacked
up' to say the least; the opportunity
to play with Lorena Ochoa and the
possibility of winning a return trip
to Mexico!
Our
group started off on the 13th hole,
a narrow Par 5. I drew first, and
hit my first drive straight down the
middle of the fairway, in prime position
to attack the green in 2. Mark hit
his drive just as straight and almost
as long. Meanwhile our playing partner
Patricio snap-hooked his, and Humberto
sliced his into the mangos that line
the fairway. Unfortunately, they both
had to hit provisional shots, which
is my worst nightmare. Fortunately
for them, both found their first shots
but had to lay up.
Feeling
confident that I could make the green
in 2, I pulled out my trusty 3 wood,
only to chunk it 20 yards. Determined
to salvage the hole, I took out my
5 wood and hooked it into the mangos.
It was all ‘downhill' from there.
My opening hole scored as a triple
bogey - 8. Everyone else bogeyed.
All
I could say was thank goodness the
drinks on the course were included
in theround!
Sometimes
its best not to relive every hole
after the game, if you know what I
mean, but I have to share just one
more.
The
highlight of the round - if not the
entire trip - was waiting for us at
the 16th hole. This is where we met
up with Lorena. She graciously signed
autographs, carried on a conversation
in both Spanish and English, smiling
sincerely even when she was having
her picture taken with me! While that
was powerful, I was equally impressed
when this diminutive 5'6", 27
year old pulled out her driver and
smacked a perfect draw shot over 355
yards. She left us with only 165 yards
on this Par 5.
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An
autograph from Lorena
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Secrets
Capri Hotel
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AeroMexico
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Writer
with his new favourite golfer!
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With
my head in the clouds, I yanked my second
shot into the lake and hobbled my way to
a double bogey. Talk about being embarrassed!
(Good thing Lorena didn't finish the hole
with us.)
Afterwards,
I heard she reached the 374 yard 6th hole
and the 371 yard par 4, 11th hole with her
drive.
After
the round, I spoke with Ernesto Perez, the
Golf Operations Manager for El Camaleon.
We had met on our last trip to the Cancun/Riviera
Maya and I wanted to thank him for his hospitality
- then and now - and to tell him that despite
my lacklustre performance, this second time
playing his course reinforced why it ranked
in my ‘Top 5'. I also wanted to tell
him not only what a treat it was to see
how Lorena hit the ball, but also how I
was struck by her genuine interest in people
as she signed autographs and had her picture
taken with each and every one of us.
He
went on to tell me a story about Lorena
from when she was a teenager and a spectator
at a tour event in Mexico where her idol
was playing. She asked him for his autograph,
which he flatly refused, and she was broken
hearted. Ever since then, she vowed to always
take the time to sign an autograph and have
a personal word with a fan. Another insight
into what makes Lorena the champion she
is and a good lesson in humility for me.
That
evening, Fernando shuttled us back to our
room. As he loaded up our clubs he asked
where we had golfed that day. I told him
El Camaleon and that we had had the privilege
of playing a hole with Lorena Ochoa. To
say that he was amazed and astounded would
be putting it mildly." She's my hero,"
he blurted out.
"How
I wish I had met you yesterday so I could
have asked you if there was any way you
could get an autograph for me." There
was no denying that he was a true fan. The
enthusiasm in his voice and the look in
his eyes said it all,so I reached into my
bag and handed him the ball Lorena had signed
for me. "Are you sure?" asked
Fernando, "This is the best gift I
have ever received and I will cherish it."
Fortunately for me, Lorena had also signed
my cooler bag so we both had a memento of
the occasion.
The
next morning I ran into Fernando and jokingly
asked if he still had the ball or if had
he sold it on E-Bay yet. Without hesitation,
he confirmed what I already knew. "No
way! When I showed it to my co-workers they
accused me of signing it myself but we both
know that is not true. I am keeping this
forever!" There are times like this
you realize how lucky you truly are!
The
next time you are considering a golf vacation,
think Mexico. You may not have the same
opportunity as I had to play with Lorena
Ochoa, but the golf is amazing, the resorts
are outstanding and the genuineness of the
people guarantees a memorable stay!
¡hola!
11/09
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Where
to Stay and Play
As
many Northerners can attest, we didn't get much of a summer
and October was bit dull and dreary. Knowing that winter
is just around the corner, you may already be thinking of
an escape for some sun, fun and of course – golf!
The
friendly staff of AeroMexico
at Pearson International set the stage for our entire trip.
Efficient and attentive, checking in was a breeze and we
were already feeling relaxed before we departed Toronto.
After a quick stop over in Mexico City, we were off to Cancun
and the Riviera Maya.
We
stayed at the Secrets
Capri Riviera Cancun, one of twelve AM
Resorts in Mexico. To say that I was impressed
would be an understatement. Boasting 71 acres of lush, tropical
foliage and a wide expansive sandy beach, from the front
lobby to the well designed rooms that all overlook the Gulf
of Mexico The Secrets Capri offers unlimited luxury for
adults. In fact, Condé Nast ranks the Secrets Capri
as the #2 resort in Mexico and AAA has given it a Four Diamond
Award. In 2008, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun received TripAdvisor.com
Travelers' Choice Awards for Best for Romance and the Best
Luxury-World resort.
We
also toured the Secrets
Marona Beach Hotel. This low-rise, all-inclusive,
all-suite resort has 7 gourmet restaurants, 12 pools, 8
bars and one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya. I
could definitely have stayed here. However my favourite
amenity has to be the reciprocal agreement that the Secrets
and sister Dreams Resorts have with the El
Camaleon Golf Course. For only $70 USD in peak
season you get play one of the most memorable golf courses
you'll find anywhere.
Facts
about
Lorena Ochoa
1.
2003 "Rookie of the Year" by placing 9th on the
LPGA Money List
2. 1st Mexican born golfer to win on the LPGA tour
3. 1st women golfer to earn over $4,000,000 in a single
season while amassing 9 wins in 2007.
4. 3 professional victories in 2009 and 27 in total.
5. Through her website
she is involved in the development of
children with scarce resources in her home country through
academic, sport and cultural education
6. The Lorena Ochoa Foundation operates La Barranca, a primary
school in Guadalajara with 250 underprivileged students
and an innovative curriculum.
7. In 2008, the foundation opened a high school with 21
freshmen students.
8. Lorena is engaged to be married to AeroMexico executive
Andres Conesa.
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