Anaya inks letter to play golf for Southwest Mustangs

Socorro senior Tivonne Anaya is headed to University of the Southwest to play golf.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

Socorro senior Tivonne Anaya is taking her golf game to the next level after signing a national letter of intent on March 9 to hit the links with the University of the Southwest’s Lady Mustangs.

While she is planning on studying sports management, Anaya has a goal of one day making her living as a professional golfer on the Lady Professional Golf Association’s tour.

Anaya has played for Socorro High School golf coach Kristen Griego since the eighth grade, and she has seen her player go through development phases and approach change with a fearless approach.

“Over the last couple of years, Tivonne has become interested in playing golf in college and has worked hard. Even this winter, we decided we would change a couple of things in her swing,” Griego said. “It was hard at first, but we’re going to get through it, and she’s hitting it well now. “

Anaya was a third-place medalist at the state tournament last year and helped the Lady Warriors win their previous two state titles. The Lady Warriors’ 21 overall state championships are the most by a school in any sport in the state of New Mexico.

“Tivonne is typically a top-three finisher. She is wonderful. She has a fight to be better, which is all you can ask for as a coach, and she’s always wanting to improve and do her best,” Griego said.

Always a competitor, Anaya decided a couple of years ago that she wanted to play college golf and see if she has what it takes to make it on the LPGA tour in the future.

“My goals this year are to finish strong, graduate, go to college, and go into sports management,” Anaya said. “More than anything, I want to become something bigger – a golf pro.”

Anaya takes a simple approach to her golf game and believes the key is to play within herself.