Yuma junior golfer needs help getting to competition in Hawaii

YUMA (AZFamily) — Eleven-year-old Ariana Ayala, a junior golfer in Yuma, is making a name for herself on the greens.

She’s one competition away from qualifying for the finals at Augusta National and needs the community’s help.

She’s aiming big and knows precisely what she wants to achieve as a junior golfer and future pro athlete.

“My dream is to go to college first and then become a LPGA player,” said Ariana.

Ariana and her dad, Hector Ayala, picked up the sport around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a quick transition. She fell in love with the game very fast. She’s a little shy, but once she gets out on the course and after that first tee, she can show you that character once she’s playing,” Hector explained.

Ariana practices every morning before school and every evening after school.

With her drive and incredible short game, she’s won local tournaments in Yuma and the region. Her most recent win was at the Drive, Chip and Putt Sub Regional Qualifier in Tucson.

“She is one of the top two qualifiers in Arizona for the southwest region,” her father said.

That win secured her spot at the regional qualifier in Hawaii this October, but she needs help getting there.

“It can get very pricey; travel expenses are all on us, but we try to do the best for our kids,” Hector said.

Ariana is raising funds for her competition. A win in Hawaii would earn her a spot in the finals at the famous Augusta National.

“She tells us every day, this is a dream. We work hard for it every day. We’re just doing everything we can to provide that for our daughter,” her father explained.

Donations to help support Ariana can be made at her GoFundMe page at Help Ariana Get to Hawaii.

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