Gabriela Lopez represents Arkansas and Mexico

Courtesy UofA Athletics Department

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas freshman women’s golfer Gabriela Lopez tees it up today at the 2013 Copa de las Americas, which will take place from Jan. 3-6 at the Doral Resort and Spa in Miami, Fla.

The Copa de las Americas is an amateur team competition for countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. There are three 72-hole competitions – men’s, women’s and overall – with 18 holes played on each of the four days. Seeing action this week will be Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, United States, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.

Lopez joins Carlos Ortiz, Rodolfo Cazaubon and Fabiola Arriaga representing team Mexico and all four players tee off around 9 a.m. Thursday morning for the first round.

This will be the fifth playing of the Copa de las Americas and the first time the championship will be conducted in the United States. The USA won the 2010 overall championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Former Razorback and 2013 LPGA Player of the Year Stacy Lewis represented the United States in 2007 at this event as well.

Lopez has played in all three of Arkansas’ tournaments since joining the team last fall. She leads the Razorbacks with a 71.67 stroke average and has two top 10 finishes this year.