Wake Forest senior wins Juli Inkster Award, gains priceless mentorship and a 'second mom'
Wake Forest senior wins Juli Inkster Award, gains priceless mentorship and a 'second mom'
It's difficult to put a price on what winning the Inkster Award is truly worth. There's the obvious $50,000 cash prize that, in the case of of 2025 winner Carolina Lopez-Chacarra, will help pay for LPGA Q-School. But the experience of two LPGA starts – this week's Meijer LPGA Classic and The Standard Portland Classic later this summer – can't be measured.
Neither can the invaluable mentorship of LPGA of Famer Juli Inkster, who takes each winner on a retreat to answer questions these young players don't even know to ask. The mentorship starts with the first congratulatory phone call and never ends.
"I'm building a little family," said 64-year-old Inkster of her relationships with past winners. "It's so fun."
The Inkster Award is given to the highest-ranked Division I golfer in her final year of eligibility. It's reserved for seniors because Inkster is a "big team player" who values loyalty and a four-year degree. With so many players leaving school early to turn pro, Inkster wanted to add an incentive to stay. Workday, the award's presenting sponsor, backed it financially. Past winners include LPGA rookies Ingrid Lindblad (2024) and Jenny Bae (2023).
"I honestly think she's just going to help me with everything," said Wake Forest's Lopez-Chacarra, who recently tied for 36th at the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills. "I'm lucky enough to have her here. Going to treat her as my second mom basically. I don't know if she's ready for that."
Lopez-Chacarra finished her senior year ranked sixth nationally, winning twice last season. This week's Meijer marks her first non-major LPGA start, and she remains an amateur. The award also guarantees Lopez-Chacarra a spot in the second stage of LPGA Qualifying (allowing her to skip the first), held Oct. 15-18 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida.
Inkster won 17 times during her decorated career at San Jose State (1979-1982). She'd go on to win 31 LPGA titles, including seven majors, and play her way into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
"Going from college golf where everything is done for you, when to practice, how to travel, what to wear, to going to the LPGA and now you're all by yourself," said Inkster. "I just wanted to be there for them. I've been on the low side, the high side, I've had kids. You know, I feel like I've done it all. So there is really not a question that I can't answer."
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