Women’s Golf in Colombia and Around the World

Updated: October 2026 · by Frank Spitzer

2026 update: María José Marín and Colombian women’s golf

María José Marín (born 17 July 2006 in Cali; University of Arkansas) is the headline story of Colombian women’s golf. On 4 April 2026 she won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club — becoming the first Colombian ever to win at Augusta National and only the second player in the championship’s history to card three rounds in the 60s. She set the 54-hole tournament scoring record at 14-under par (202). Her career-high World Amateur Golf Ranking is No. 5, reached in June 2026 (No. 6 immediately after the Augusta win).

2025/2026 accolades: SEC Player of the Year (2025), Honda Sports Award for golf (2025), Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA) title. Her Augusta win qualified her for three 2026 women’s majors — the AIG Women’s Open, The Chevron Championship, and the Amundi Evian Championship — plus a place at the Women’s Amateur Championship at Muirfield. The Fedegolf women’s amateur pipeline behind her includes players developing at Club Campestre de Cali, Country Club de Bogotá, and Ruitoque Country Club (Bucaramanga).

Women’s Golf in Colombia and Around the World

On this page — jump to a section

• Beginnings of Golf in Colombia and the World
• Evolution and History of Women’s Golf
• What Are the Most Important Women’s Golf Tournaments Outside of Colombia?
• What Is Women’s Golf Like in Colombia?
• Which Colombian Associations Include Women’s Golf?
• Women’s Golf Tournaments in Colombia
• Prominent Figures in Colombian Women’s Golf
• More about Golf in Colombia
• FAQ
• References
• About the Author

Women’s golf in Colombia is growing rapidly — with the Mariana Pajón Senior Women’s Tour, increasing junior development, and Mariajo Uribe’s LPGA Tour career. Plus several women-only golf events across the country.

I am Frank Spitzer, founder of Pelecanus Travel (RNT 51402, IAGTO member, Bogotá-based since 2017). We arrange women’s golf groups and ladies-only Colombia golf trips. Send me a message to start planning.

Beginnings of Golf in Colombia and the World

The first woman to distinguish herself in golf was Mary I, Queen of Scotland in the 16th century, giving prestige to the sport and influencing women of the upper class. Starting in the 1920s, women began to participate more in golf. The first women’s associations became known in the United States, such as the United States Senior Women’s Golf Association. In 1929, nine different amateur golf tournaments were sponsored by the United States Golf Association. By 1950, women’s golf in the United States began to gain renown.

Evolution and History of Women’s Golf

1984: Creation of the first women’s golf course in New Jersey with only 7 holes.1905: Dorothy Campbell becomes the first female professional golfer.1920: The first women’s golf tournaments began in the United States.1944: The first women’s golf association, WPGA, was created, which would later become known as the LPGA, part of the PGA.1950: Women started playing professional golf in the United States.2003: Annika Sörenstam became the first woman to compete in a men’s tournament. She became one of the greatest players in history, also winning many titles.2012: The National Golf Club of Augusta in the USA accepted two women as members for the first time.2014: The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, one of the oldest golf clubs and the birthplace of golf, began admitting women as members.

What Are the Most Important Women’s Golf Tournaments Outside of Colombia?

Unlike men’s golf, women have more tournaments in addition to the most important ones in the world, including:Evian Championship: This tournament has been held in France at the Evian Resort Club since 1994. Although it was not initially considered a major, it received that designation in 2013. The prize money for this tournament is approximately $3.3 million.British Open: Although it was inaugurated in the late 1970s, it became a major tournament in 2001. It is held at different clubs in England and Scotland and has a prize fund of over $2.5 million.US Women’s Open: Created in 1946, it has been considered a major since its inception. The current prize fund is $5 million.KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: This is the second major in women’s golf and was created by the collaboration of the LPGA and PGA of America along with sponsor KPMG. This tournament is held at a different course in the United States, with a prize fund of $3 million.

What Is Women’s Golf Like in Colombia?

Starting in the 1920s, as mentioned earlier, women began to excel in sports, and Colombia was no exception. In 1923, women like María Helena Torres and Queen de la Torre were significant figures in golf. Women who played golf tended to be from the upper class, as it was suggested as a physical activity to improve their health.Today, this division is very present in different golf clubs and associations in Colombia, from junior to senior categories, and some women have excelled in national and international tournaments. The Colombian Golf Federation created the Senior Women’s Division in 2020, bringing together all players aged 50 and above.

Which Colombian Associations Include Women’s Golf?

Colombian Golf Federation: This organization is perhaps the largest and most comprehensive in the country, with various divisions, including the Senior Women’s Division. This association hosts some women’s golf events such as the National Senior Women’s Championship and the National Senior Women’s Tour.Karibana Beach Golf Condominium (Cartagena): This club is part of a luxury resort in Cartagena known for its wide sea views. The Heroica Open, intended exclusively for female golfers, is played at this club.

Women’s Golf Tournaments in Colombia

Colombia Open

This tournament is part of the Korn Ferry Tour within the PGA Tour circuit and is held annually. It attracts players from various categories, from juniors to seniors. The Colombian Golf Federation hosts this significant tournament in Colombia.

Heroica Open

This tournament was created during the pandemic in 2020, with more than 50 female golfers participating, divided into amateur, pre-senior, and senior categories. The Heroica Open takes place in the city of Cartagena and serves as an example to encourage women to play more golf and be part of it in Colombia.Interestingly, 20% of the proceeds from the tournament go to the Ellen Riegner Casas Foundation, which supports oncology patients with limited resources.

National Senior Women’s Championship

This championship is held annually by the Colombian Golf Federation and is designed for the Senior Women’s Division, bringing together the best female golfers in the country. It is worth noting that this tournament competes for spots to participate in the South American Golf Tournament, and its score counts towards the National Senior Women’s Ranking to evaluate their performance in other international events.

National Senior Women’s Tour

This tour is a circuit held on different dates and on different golf courses across the country every year. It is also sponsored by the Colombian Golf Federation and attracts amateur and professional players. The National Senior Women’s Tour also includes the mid-amateur category, meaning players over 35 years old with a valid Fedegolf certificate can participate.

Prominent Figures in Colombian Women’s Golf

The players we will highlight have represented Colombia in important international golf tournaments and in some cases have become world champions. These players were also part of the prestigious LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Circuit, one of the most significant women’s golf organizations in the world, achieving victories in their tournaments and earning within the tour.

María José Uribe

Also known as Mariajo Uribe, she is a renowned Colombian golfer and a member of the LPGA. She won gold at the Pan American Games in 2015 in Toronto, Canada, and silver at the South American Games in 2015 in Chile. She also won tournaments such as the Evian Championship, the US Open, and the American Women’s Amateur Golf Championship, achieving top-10 placements and earnings within the tour.

Valery Plata

A professional player in the LPGA, she was born in Florida but obtained Colombian citizenship. Her professional career started in the United States. She won the silver medal at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and represented Colombia at the Junior Golf World Cup in Japan. She also won the gold medal at the South American Youth Games in 2017 in Chile.

María Isabel Baena

A former Colombian golfer who participated in various tournaments from a young age. She represented Colombia at the South American Golf Championship, which she won in the pre-junior and junior categories, and also won the Copa Los Andes in Colombia. She turned professional in the United States in 1999 and became the Match Play World Champion of the LPGA in 2005.She announced her retirement at the end of 2009 due to health issues she had experienced in previous years, particularly a hip surgery that hindered her performance in the sport.

More about Golf in Colombia

Find out everything you need to know about golf in Colombia in our blogs.

• How, When, Why And Where To Play Golf In Colombia?
• Colombia’s 22 Greatest Golf Courses
• The History of Golf in Colombia
• Golf Associations in Colombia – A comprehensive cultural and sporting experience

FAQ

Where is the best golf in Colombia?

Bogotá and the Sabana (22 Fedegolf-affiliated clubs; La Cima at 3,000 m), Medellín/Rionegro (Club Campestre de Medellín and El Rodeo), Cartagena (Karibana, a Nicklaus Design course, and Club Campestre de Cartagena), and the Coffee Region (Manizales, Pereira and Armenia).

What is the cost of golf in Colombia?

Green fees: $50-150 USD at top clubs. Including caddie + cart: $80-200/round. Pelecanus packages 4-day golf trips around $1,500-3,000/person all-inclusive depending on club access.

Can I rent golf equipment in Colombia?

Yes — most premium clubs offer rental sets ($30-60/round). Pelecanus arranges premium equipment rental and on-course caddies.

When is the best season for golf?

Year-round, but dry seasons (December-March, June-August) offer the most consistent playing conditions. Avoid October-November (peak rainy season for highland courses).

Do I need to be a member to play?

Not always — many private clubs accept visitors with an introduction. Pelecanus coordinates visitor green fees, caddie booking and dress-code briefings.

How do I plan a Colombia golf trip?

Send a message via /en/about-us-contact/ or WhatsApp Frank at +57 321 214 6210. We design golf-focused private itineraries combining the country’s top courses.

References

• Colombia Travel Guide – Pelecanus

About the Author