Hard work and life long survivor skills paid off last week for former USC grad and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Lizette Salas qualified as a L.P.G.A. Tour member.  Salas, 22, of Azusa became the first Latina from Los Angeles County to make the L.P.G.A. Tour.  LA Times writer Diane Pucin best described her feat stating "Whether or not Lizette Salas wins an L.P.G.A. Tour event, hers is already the American success story that so often seems part of a hazy, dreamy past."

Lizette's dream has been to be a pro golfer since she was seven and used golf to be the first in her family to earn her college degree. Salas chose USC. and was a member of the Trojans’ N.C.A.A. championship team as a freshman in 2008. She was named the Pacific-10’s freshman of the year and a second-team all-American.

She learned to play golf at Azusa Greens Country Club where Head pro Jerry Herrera says that "Her swing is natural," and "Her work ethic is remarkable."

Salas was recently quoted as saying that she wants to follow in the footsteps of L.P.G.A. Superstar Lorena Ochoa to help influence Latina girls beyond just learning how to play golf.  She wants to teach girls that failure is not an option.