Colombian golfer María José Uribe

María Jose Uribe began her career as a professional golfer in July, 2009. Until then, she had been studying history at the University of Los Angeles in California (UCLA), where she was a member of the golf team since 2007.

María José began her training at the age of ten at the Pedro Russi Academy in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. She obtained her greatest triumph as an amateur when she won the US Amateur 2007, and became the only Latin American to have won this championship, considered the most important amateur title in its 100-year history.

At present, and following arduous training and classification for six months, she obtained the card that accredits her as a player for the two most important circuits in world women’s golf: LPGA and LET, Ladies Professional Golf Association and Ladies European Tour, respectively.

Aside from obtaining an early entry into the most prestigious tournaments and tours of this discipline, María José has shown her commitment to social issues in her country. Since the early days of her professional career, she managed the creation of the FORE Foundation, devoted to fostering recreational and educational opportunities through a pilot project in Girón, Santander - her native city. The aim of the foundation is to optimize the free time of youngsters and children by means of educational, recreational, cultural, and technological tools.

Main Colombian and South American titles

National Children’s Champion 2003
National Children’s Champion 2005
Juvenile Champion 2005
South American Pre-Juvenile Champion 2004
South American Juvenile Champion 2006
South American Senior Champion 2005 and 2006

Participation in world amateur golf championships

US Girls’ Junior Championship 2004, 2005, 2006 y 2007
US Amateur Public Links Championship 2006
Third place in World Amateur Team Championship 2006
US Amateur Championship 2005, 2006, and 2007 (2007 Champion)

Amateur participation in LPGA and USGA

US Women’s Open 2006, 2007, and 10th place in 2008
Kraft Nabisco Championship 2006
McDonalds LPGA Championship 2008
Ricoh Women’s British Open 2008

Professional participation

US Women’s Open 2006
Lorena Ochoa Invitational 2009 (8th place in 2009)
Lorena Ochoa Invitational 2009 (8th place in 2009). Obtains LET card accrediting full-status membership
LPGA Q School 22nd place 2009. Obtains LPGA card accrediting full-status membership