Of the six Paraguayans in the field for the 2024 Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC) at Santa Maria Golf Club in Panama, four are 18 years old or younger. Two of those Paraguayan juniors, Erich Fortlage and Eze Cabrera, are playing their third LAAC. “There is a beautiful new generation, including three or four kids with a bright future and a particularly a strong drive to make their way forward,” said Paraguayan pro golfer, Fabrizio Zannotti, two-time winner on the DP World Tour. “They know what they want, and they are willing to make the necessary sacrifices.”
PARAGUAYAN GOLF TRADITION
Cabrera, who made the cut at his first LAAC in 2022, is the nephew of the legendary Franco brothers. “My uncles Angel Franco, Ramon Franco and Carlos Franco are recognized professionals,” said 16-year-old Cabrera. “He has always been an inspiration. He has given me tips to practice better and taught me how wonderful this sport is,” he added about his uncle Carlos Franco, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour.
“For a long time, Carlos carried the flag, then Fabrizio and I for a while,” said Paraguayan LPGA veteran Julieta Granada, who owns one victory on the LPGA Tour and seven top-10s in majors. “We have amateurs playing really well.”
Erich Fortlage, the son of 1989 South American Amateur Team Champion Juan Carlos Fortlage, finished tied 12th at the 2023 LAAC in Puerto Rico when he was just 16 years old. “The age is an advantage for us because we start accumulating experience when we are still young. And that’s important in big events like this,” said Fortlage.
MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS
“Fabrizio has helped us a lot, we practice with him, and we have seen his level of discipline. I have learned perseverance and discipline from him,” added Fortlage about Zanotti, role model and mentor for many young Paraguayan golfers, including brothers Benjamin and Franco Fernandez.
At 16 years of age, Franco is playing his second Latin American Amateur Championship, while his 18-year-old brother, Benjamin, is making his debut at Santa Maria Golf Club in Panama. “We all look forward to this tournament, and I can’t wait for the start of the competition,” said the younger, but more seasoned, Franco Fernández.
“He is guiding me everywhere and showing me the course,” said rookie Benjamin Fernandez about his bother’s guidance. “Being younger is always an advantage,” added Benjamin, while Franco pointed out that “it depends on the player and how he handles the pressure.”
MAJOR ASPIRATIONS
Cabrera, Fortlage and the Fernandez brothers are four of the six Paraguayans, along with Daniel Cano Martinez and Hector Ortega, in the field for the 9th Latin America Amateur Championship. “It is important to be one the people raising the Paraguayan flag at golf events,” said young Paraguayan LPGA player Sofia Garcia, echoing the aspirations of her countrymen at the LAAC.
The four junior Paraguayans competing this week at Santa Maria Golf Club are too young to have witnessed Carlos Franco finishing top-10 at The Masters in 1999 and 2000, or his performances at five U.S. Opens and The Open in 1994.
Now they have a chance to emulate their national golf hero with a victory at the Latin America Amateur Championship along with the accompanying invitation to the 2024 Masters Tournament and exemptions into the 152nd Open at Royal Troon and the 124th U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2
