Louisiana teen to be first woman in all-men’s golf competition

AVONDALE, La. (WVUE) - Sophia Macias, 18, will make Louisiana sporting history when she plays in a men’s amateur qualifier on May 18.

She’ll be the first woman to compete in that tournament’s 107 years of golfing.

Macias is focused on playing her game, not the chatter surrounding her decision to participate in the qualifier.

“Golf is one of those things that humbles you really fast. You can have really bad days even when you’re playing good golf. It’s a little bit of luck too. I think it teaches you a lot of life lessons,” said Macias.

Macias got into golf when she was around six years old thanks to her father and brother.

“We were always on the golf course, so it was a good time, and then it kind of took off. I started asking to go on the course,” Macias said.

A Baton Rouge native, Macias became a high school golfing standout while attending Episcopal High. She’s now a freshmen member of Tulane University’s golf team.

Macias has been getting a lot of attention after entering the upcoming men’s amateur qualifier for the Louisiana Golf Association. Macias is casual in describing why she chose to play in the qualifier at English Turn Golf and Country Club.

“Tulane plays at English Turn all the time, and the qualifier just happened to be there, so I was like, ‘I might as well try to qualify and kind of see what happens.’ But this isn’t my first time playing at a men’s event,” Macias said.

Back in high school, Macias golfed in several all-boys tournaments, including the Club Championship in 2023, which she won.

“Oh, I won. I won by a lot actually,” Macias said with a light laugh.

People on social media have had quite a bit to say about Macias being a female golfer in an all-men’s tournament.

“You’d be surprised how much hate I’m getting for playing in the men’s tournament; it’s a little excessive. I’ve just been getting DM’s from people just asking me, ‘Why are you playing in this? You’re not good enough to play in this. Are you going to wear those clothes whenever you’re going to play in this?’ And I’m like, ‘This is my college uniform.’”

Female athletes often face criticism about their apparel or appearance, but Macias refuses to give oxygen to any of it.

“That’s been super rough, but I’m going to wear shorts the same length that I’ve been wearing all season, and I’m going to wear a skirt, and it’s not going to be a big deal. And if that’s what you’re worried about, I think that says more about you than it does anything else,” said Macias.

An athlete’s most meaningful statement is often made through their play. And when Macias competes in the qualifier, she plans to have her game do the talking.

“Everyone is playing the same golf course. Everyone is playing the same tees. You all have to go out there. You’re hitting shots. At the end of the day, it’s a score,” said Macias.

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