History of the Copa de las Americas

The Copa de las Americas officially began in 2003 as a way to foster competition between countries in North, South and Latin America, along with countries located in the Caribbean. The first event, which drew 19 men's teams and 10 women's teams, was contested at Rio Mar Country Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, the same venue that hosted the 2004 World Amateur Team Championships. 

Trophies are awarded for the top overall team (men and women) as well as the low men's and women's teams.

Each country can send two male and two female golfers. All four scores are counted for the overall team total as well as the men's and women's team totals, respectively. The competition is played over 72 holes.

Canada won the first two overall competitions, while the USA has claimed the last two. In 2010, Argentina won the men's competition, edging the USA, which took the women's event.

Past participants for the USA include four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Nathan Smith, 2009 U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links champion Jennifer Song, reigning U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson; 2012 LPGA Tour Player of the Year Stacy Lewis and 2002 U.S. Amateur champion and 2009 U.S. Open runner-up Ricky Barnes.

Here are the results from the previous four Copa de las Americas:

2003 – Rio Mar C.C., Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Overall – champion, Canada; runner-up, USA

Men’s – champion, Canada; runner-up, USA

Women’s – champion, Canada; runner-up, USA

2005 – El Tigre G.C., Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Overall – champion, Canada; runner-up, Mexico

Men’s – champion, Canada; runner-up, Argentina

Women’s – champion, Colombia; runner-up, Mexico

2007 – Beacon Hall G.C., Aurora, Ontario, Canada

Overall – champion, USA; runner-up, Mexico

Men’s – champion, USA; runner-up, Argentina

Women’s – champion, USA; runner-up, Canada

2010 – Olivos G.C. and Buenos Aires G.C., Buenos Aires, Argentina

Overall – champion, USA; runner-up, Argentina

Men’s – champion, Argentina; runner-up, USA

Women’s – champion, USA; runner-up, Colombia

2013 – Doral Golf Resort & Spa (Blue Monster), Miami, Fla.Overall – champion, Canada; runner-up, Mexico
Men’s – champion, Mexico; runner-up, Canada
Women’s – champion, USA; runner-up, Canada