Driving Change: How three Latinas are redefining golf

By Migdalis Pérez

Los Angeles – Azucena Maldonado, Paola Meinzer, and Fleriser Bello share not only a love for golf but also a common mission: to make this sport a platform for inclusion and empowerment of Latina women. Based in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, respectively, these leaders have founded organizations that teach their peers how to play golf, negotiate, and—above all—how not to be left behind.

Azucena Maldonado: “You don’t need to know how to play to start”

Seventeen years ago, Azucena Maldonado decided to change the rules of the game by founding the Latina Golfers Association (LGA), an organization that has opened the doors of golf to thousands of Latina women in the United States.

“I had never played golf, but I became a total fanatic,” recalls Azucena, who at first played only to get better at it. It was during charity tournaments that she discovered the true power of the sport: “That’s where the businesspeople, sponsors, and elected officials were. It was a very fun business environment,” she notes.

However, she soon noticed a glaring absence. “There were more than 100 men playing and only two or three women.” When she asked why there wasn’t more female participation, the answer was simple: “Invite your friends.” But she didn’t know any women golfers. So she decided to stop complaining and do something about it. She sent an email to her contacts, called a meeting, and 94 women showed up. That’s how LGA was born—with the mission of introducing Latinas to golf as a setting where they could do business just like men.

Since then, the organization has grown tremendously. “Now we have classes every weekend at several golf courses, with a total of 60 women taking lessons each weekend,” says the Mexico native. The LGA has not only transformed the social lives of many participants but also their professional paths, connecting them to job interviews and business opportunities.

Today, the association offers clinics, retreats, youth classes, and even themed trips. But beyond sports, what Azucena has built is a supportive community. “I tell my members: If you want to change your professional life, you have to play golf. And you don’t need to know how to play to start. We’re here to help you, teach you, and change your life.”

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Paola Meinzer: “My goal is to change the status quo in golf”

Colombian immigrant Paola Meinzer, founder of the Latina Executive Golf Organization (now LexGolf), also created a space to connect women in an environment traditionally reserved for men. “I didn’t start the organization out of a love for golf; I started it out of my passion for bringing women together in spaces where we have been underrepresented,” she says.

LexGolf has evolved into a powerful networking hub. Through networking events and themed activities, the organization has impacted hundreds of women. “I’ve seen how my organization empowers women not only in business but also in finding balance in their lives. Being outdoors, on a golf course, gives you mental clarity and balance—things many of us need,” she explains. With the funds raised, LexGolf also organizes free golf clinics for girls and women with limited resources.

One of its most original concepts is the “Golfing with the Stars” event, where executives, lawyers, former NFL players, politicians, and influential community figures share the course with women who are new to golf. Another highlight is the “Mother-Daughter Par-Tee”, which aims to engage new generations: “It’s beautiful to open the doors for young girls to have their first experience on a golf course with their mothers,” she says.

Meinzer’s impact has taken her organization to elite events, such as Pinehurst, and to amateur ones like Pro-Am, where Latino representation has historically been minimal. “My mission is to change the status quo,” she states firmly, encouraging other women to give golf a chance—a sport that can transform you regardless of age, experience, or background.

Fleriser Bello: “I’m going to change this narrative”

Fleriser Bello’s story is that of a Dominican woman who arrived in New York at age 10 with a clear vision: “When I was 12, I wanted to be a film producer,” she recalls. Thanks to her determination, faith, and support from key figures like her godmother, she entered the professional world at a very young age. By 15, she was already working in the industry, standing out among her peers.

This experience, combined with her exposure to high-level corporate environments, inspired her to create Bellas Fashionistas in 2014. What began as a fashion blog evolved into an educational and empowerment platform for Hispanic women. “The organization was born to educate, encourage, and motivate the next generation of leaders,” she explains.

Over time, Fleriser noticed another gap: the lack of women—especially Latinas—on golf courses where major business deals were being made. “Why aren’t women doing this? There are women in executive roles who don’t realize they can close deals on a golf course,” she questioned. Then she decided: “I’m going to change this narrative.”

This led to the creation of the first Latina Golf Outing Tournament in New York State, aimed at bringing together men and women, Latinas, executives, and key leaders from the New York Tri-State area and beyond. The event is organized by the now, Bellas Fashionistas Foundation (also known as the Bellas Foundation).

“My goal is to increase the representation of women and Latinas on golf courses and to introduce underprivileged youth to the sport. Azucena has been doing this for 17 years; Paola, for five; and I, for four years now,” she points out. She also emphasizes the importance of encouraging more women and Latino students to join this movement. “Golf is expensive,” she acknowledges, “but there are programs and resources that help the next generation access it.”

Currently, Fleriser continues building partnerships in different states, convinced that “your network is your net worth.” To this end, she conducts student conferences in three states, monthly golf clinics, and the first “Mother and Daughter” event, now in its second year in New York State. Meanwhile, with Bellas Golfers, she is growing a community of women leaders on a tri-state level (NY, NJ, and CT) to make the golf industry more inclusive.

“Before COVID-19,” she notes, “only 20% of golfers nationwide were women. During the pandemic, that number jumped from 20% to 41%. However, Latinas made up just 7.5% of that total. We need to come together.”