Venezuela
Venezuela
Rafael Guerrero Lauria
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Personal
Left handed.
Has two younger sisters.
A 2012 Magna Cum Laude graduate at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he studied Psychology.
Quail Hollow is his favorite golf course.
Always plays golf balls that feature odd numbers.
Loves basketball and played the sport while in High School at the Instituto Cumbres in Caracas.
He even played for a Venezuelan junior basketball team that finished second in a tournament in Spain.
A die-hard fan of the Miami Heat.
Mentions Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods and Sergio García among his favorite athletes.
Bucket list includes visiting all continents.
His favorite charity is Mano Amiga, an organization that provides more educational opportunities to underprivileged children in his country and throughout Latin America.
Amateur Highlights
At UNC-Charlotte, was a member of the team that won the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship four times.
Named a 2011 Academic All-American.
Ranked as Venezuela’s No. 1 Amateur at age 16. Was a member of the Venezuela team in several international competitions, including the World Amateur Team Championship and the Copa Los Andes. Is a gifted basketball player, and while in high school, played for a junior basketball team that finished second in a tournament in Spain.
Has an uncle who is a triathlete who competes in the Ironman Triathlon every year.
The two things he enjoys the most is playing basketball and helping other people. Also likes to learn from people because he says “you can always learn from anyone.”
Enjoys deep conversations about any interesting topic.
Spent most of 2019 caddying for several players on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR. Was Zecheng Dou’s caddie during Dou’s win at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay in January. Has also worked for Julián Etulain, Morgan Hoffmann and Aaron Baddeley on the PGA TOUR and Brad Hopfinger on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Got started in golf because it was the only school at his club's camp that was for free. “You had to pay for all the other sports, and I’m thankful my mom enrolled me in golf.”
At age seven, he went with his dad, who had just bought some new wedges. As Dad tried to show his flop-shot ability, a mis-hit shot hit him in the side of the head and knocked him out. His dad had new wedges, and he tried to throw him a flop so that he could catch the ball. he was standing about 30 feet away from his father, who then hit the ball with the edge of the club. “My mom didn't like that shot much.”
He carries a tee and a coin in his left pocket and lip balm in the right. The number on the coin he uses to mark putts must always point toward the hole. He always play balls with odd numbers.

