Rianna Lafuente

My story as a golfer is different than most. I wasn’t born into the sport, and I haven’t been playing my whole life. I started playing golf out of my own interest and drive, and that passion is what keeps me playing. I was raised by a single mother who was abused in her own home. As a hairdresser, she’s raised my military brother and I since we were born. My family never had good amounts of money or support from others, but my mom and brother are great advocates of pushing for better in life.

I first began playing golf two years ago as a High School Senior. It was difficult to be looked at as a new hispanic golfer but that didn’t stop me. I immediately fell in love with the technicality of the sport, and the way I was able to consistently compete with past versions of myself to become a better player. I was able to prove to my coach through tournaments that obsession and hard work can beat talent.

Just a few months into playing golf, I worked hard to improve my game enough that I joined a university in Louisville Kentucky as a collegiate athlete. It took grit and determination, but I never got tired of putting in the hours and effort to become a better player.

As a college golfer, I am surrounded by peers who have been playing golf much longer than me. I love the community I have found within golf, but while many of them are burning out, I remain energized and eager to improve.

Golf has helped me to grow into the leader I was always meant to be. Last summer, I worked teaching young kids how to play golf. This year, I was able to secure discounted gear from Lululemon by advocating for my team of female golfers.

More recently, I have begun to explore the business side of golf: playing with diverse athletes, professional golfers, and top businessmen, it has open my eyes to every aspect of the game. Learning and advocating the communication importance in business on and off the course as well as, challenging myself to compete with other talented players.

Golf has become the focus of my days and I intend for it to be the foundation of my life. I changed my major from Physical Therapy to PGA Golf Pro Management. It’s my dream to wake up each day and go to work on the golf course. As a female golfer, I am driven to inspire more young women to play golf. I am excited to see the LPGA grow and I intend to be a part of it.

As I move forward in my golf career, I am seeking scholarships from foundations aligned with my values. Foundations who can see my determination to constantly improve and my passion for promoting golf to other young women.

I live and breathe golf. While my talent has gotten me this far, it’s my unrelenting dedication to improve that makes me unstoppable. Golf has made me unafraid to rise to the occasion, time and time again. With help from foundations like you, I look forward to becoming an even stronger player and inspiring future hispanic female golfers for years to come.

In the years I have volunteered with my mom’s nonprofit, Walk In Their Shoes. We remodeled the Children’s Home clothing room, we have given over 300 track shoes to title 1 schools. We raised and purchased over 400 new jackets for homeless school kids last winter. We shopped for new school clothes for kids at the Children’s Home. To get a full view of my community service with Walk In Their Shoes.

During my junior and senior year of high school, I chose to use one of my classes to mentor children in elementary and middle schools. In this class we help mentor children who need emotional support due to trauma or home experience, and offer advice, a friendship, and support. I have enjoyed every moment giving back to the kids in our district.
Lastly, during my freshman and sophomore year, I volunteered at various physical therapy rehab centers to help while they were short handed in intern students were gone. Here is where I fell in love with the program. From elders to athletes, I got to help them recover through time.

My high school activities have been the following. My four years I have been able to obtain 33 dual credit hours from San Angelo State. My freshman to junior year I was an Athletic trainer. My senior year I am Jv golf and now fighting for Varsity spot at this time. My senior year I was also the football sports manager.