AJGA offers opportunities for foreign-born players

Flags from the home states and countries of players in the AJGA's Rolex Tournament of Champions line the path to the first tee at Dalhousie Golf Club. (Kit Doyle) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The golfers agree that the courses in the U.S. are in better shape.

There aren't many choices available to Joaquin Lolas if he wants to pursue a golf career back home.

In fact, there are more courses within a 60-mile radius of Dalhousie Golf Club than in all of Peru, Lolas' home country.

"There aren't even 10 courses in Peru," Lolas said. "So the U.S. has a lot more options."

Lolas is one of 10 players representing six foreign countries teeing it up this week at the AJGA's Rolex Tournament of Champions.

All of them agree on one point.

"The courses in the U.S. are better," said Lucas Bjerregaard, who lives in Denmark. "They have better shape and a better layout."

"There are very nice courses here, different," Eduardo Castiello of Mexico said. "The greens are faster and really nice and the grass is thicker."

Besides coming to the United States to play on nicer courses, players come to face stiff competition.

"Playing in the U.S. is much more competitive," said Emiliano Grillo, who resides in Argentina. "It gives me a better chance to get on the tour."

Lolas agreed.

"The U.S. is the most competitive in the world," he said.

Since the competition is tougher, college coaches are among the spectators closely following the action, and the players know it.

"I'm looking to play for college scholarships," Lolas said.

While some are looking only for scholarships, Laura Camila Blanco Trujillo has bigger goals.

"I'm playing in the U.S. to get a scholarship," said Trujillo, who is from Colombia. "And to eventually try to get on the LPGA Tour."

There also are drawbacks for the foreign players who choose to play in tournaments in the United States. They have to leave their friends and comforts of home for extended periods of time. They're forced to endure life on the road, moving from hotel to hotel and eating out all the time as they travel to tournaments around the country.

"I make it work," Bjerregaard said. "Golf is my main focus."