The most important skills to have as a golfer are precision and accuracy. Sophomore Danica Ortega has these qualities and many more, which is why she is a decorated athlete. At just four years old, Ortega was given a golf club for the first time by her father, who recognized her natural athleticism after enrolling her in soccer. To his surprise, she hit nearly all the plastic targets before her.
“I think I’m gonna make you a golfer,” said Danica’s dad when she recalled this moment in time.
As far as tournaments and teams go, Ortega started at US Kids Golf at the ripe age of 10 years old. She later joined Girls Golf Miami, an organization that supports aspiring female golfers, where she continued to develop her natural talent and love for the game. Ortega believes this organization’s support helped her succeed in every tournament she entered, eventually leading to her promotion inot a more competitive division with players ages 15 to 16.
“Everywhere they [tournaments] were, I started winning all of them,” said Ortega (10).
After consistently dominating her tournaments, Ortega and her dad wanted something bigger and better. She transitioned to a Prep League but quickly dominated that as well. After winning five straight tournaments, her dad took the leap and moved her to the highest-level tour for her catgory, the Medalist tour, where she has been successful and properly challenged.
Ortega has also made a name for herself in the school district athletic division. She has been on the Riviera Varsity Girls Golf Team for three years and is currently ranked number one and team captain.
Ortega’s family members, while proud of her accomplishments, are not surprised by her natural ability, as golf has been in their family for generations.
“My great-grandmother played, my grandma played, and we own two country clubs in Colombia, so I guess because my parents and grandparents played, I want to be the first person in my family to make it to pro golf,” said Ortega.
Ortega’s ultimate goal is to get recruited to a Division I university for golf, preferably the University of Miami. Her final words to other aspiring golfers were to not begin with a driver club but with a 7 or 8 iron. She recommended pit shots to get the full swing effect. And noted the importance of keeping a positive attitude while working hard, and living by the mantra that negativity will get you nowhere.
“I think that if you want to get good or be competitive in any sport, you have to practice, practice, and practice. Just keep practicing,” said Ortega.
Born and raised in Miami, Danica Ortega began her golfing career at Miccosukee at the driving range and short game area, and later moved on to higher-level difficulty courses like the Biltmore and Granada. Many news sources, such as the Miami-Herald, now recognize Ortega for her talent.
Danica Ortega has had an impressive golfing career so far, and her coaches, teammates, and fellow Bulldogs alike cannot wait to see the success that will follow her.
