McAllen News, Edinburg TX News, golf course, Lorena Ochoa
Staff Report
McAllen, TX - McAllen officials announced plans for a new destination golf course to be developed adjacent to Champion Lakes Golf Course, marking the first U.S. course design by World Golf Hall of Famer Lorena Ochoa.
The project was unveiled during the city’s 2026 State of the City Address. The course will be developed in partnership with Ochoa and designers Rafael Alarcón and Carter Morrish.
Location and design
The new course will be located at 2701–3501 S. Ware Road, directly west of the existing Champion Lakes Golf Course.
The course will be designed by ALARCON–MORRISH–OCHOA Golf Design, which will oversee construction, promotion and marketing efforts. Periodic visits to the area are planned as the project progresses.
City officials said the course will follow a short-course concept that extends beyond a traditional par-3 layout. Holes will range from under 100 yards to more than 250 yards and are designed to require golfers to use every club in their bag.
The design will include beach-style bunkers, raised greens, rolling fairways with phased undulations, tree clusters, water features and native Rio Grande Valley vegetation.
Lorena Ochoa
Ochoa, born in Mexico, played on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour from 2003 to 2010. She was ranked the top female golfer in the world for 158 consecutive weeks from April 23, 2007, until her retirement on May 2, 2010, at age 28. She remains the first Mexican golfer of either gender to reach No. 1 in the world rankings.
Ochoa was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017. She is widely regarded as the most accomplished Mexican female golfer in the sport’s history.
Project goals
Officials said the project will incorporate construction practices and materials intended to ensure quality, durability and long-term sustainability in a high-use environment. Design considerations will include water conservation, environmental protection, education and youth development.
City leaders said additional details, including construction timelines and future programming, will be announced in the coming months.
Source -- City of McAllen.