All-American sophomore golfer Maria Jose Uribe will leave UCLA and its golf team at the end of spring quarter.
“After meeting with me last week and after informing the team, Maria has expressed her desire at this time to return to Colombia to be closer to her family while pursuing her professional career,” coach Carrie Forsyth said in a statement.
“While we will be sad to see her leave, we admire her devotion to her loved ones and her determination to move forward toward her career in golf with a solid personal foundation.
“Maria left home at the age of 14. She feels the need to re-establish her familial relationships before entering the next phase of her life. It is a decision we all respect.”
Uribe earned her first-team All-America honors as a freshman last year and helped her team to a second-place finish at the NCAA Championships. En route to the championships, Uribe shot a 208 (-8) at the NCAA West Regional.
In her sophomore campaign, Uribe made eight starts and finished in the top 30 of each event. The sophomore has also played as an amateur in all four LPGA majors and finished as high as 10th at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open.
Uribe, who currently touts a 3.37 GPA, will leave UCLA after earning a spot on the Director’s Honor Roll every quarter since she enrolled.
Compiled by Matt Stevens, Bruin Sports senior staff.