Carolina Lopez-Chacarra

A day in the life of a senior women's golfer at Wake Forest University

By Wake Forest University

April 25^th, 2025

After graduation from Wake Forest in May 2025, Carolina Lopez-Chacarra (‘25) plans to become a professional golfer. Her dream is to make it in on the LPGA Tour for a few years, and then have a family and kids.

Lopez-Chacarra, who grew up in Madrid, Spain was recruited her sophomore year of high school to play golf at Wake Forest University.

“What surprised me most about my experience at Wake Forest was the warm welcome I received from the very beginning and the strong sense of family within the community, " she said. "I have been amazed by the incredible people I’ve met and the meaningful relationships I’ve built with individuals of various ages and nationalities. Wake Forest has truly become a place where I feel connected and supported, both personally and academically.”

Outside of classes, she spends most of her time at the Haddock House playing golf. “The most meaningful non-academic experience at Wake Forest was winning an NCAA with an incredible group of teammates, " Lopez-Chacarra said. "This achievement was a testament to how much we grew together throughout the season, both as athletes and as a team. A defining moment in our journey happened during the Regionals, the qualifying tournament for Nationals, where only the top four teams advance. With seven holes left in our final round, we were outside the qualifying spots. However, as a team, we rallied together and shot 7-under in the last five holes, securing our place in the championship. This moment embodied our resilience, belief in one another, and determination, which ultimately led us to a national title. This experience wasn’t just about winning; it was about the journey, the challenges we overcame, and the lifelong bonds we created along the way. We also made history by securing Wake Forest’s first NCAA title in women’s golf. That moment, a moment that will stay with me forever.”

Lopez-Chacarra is a psychology major and an entrepreneurship minor. What attracted her to the psychology major was “the mental part of it and connecting it to golf. Everything I have learned about how important the brain is in our day to day life. Positive talk is one of the strengths that we have that can make a huge impact, even if we don’t think so. That has helped me both on and off the golf course,” she said.

This spring, she shared a behind-the-scenes look at her life on campus as a student athlete.

Morning strength training

Lopez-Chacarra works out with other members of the women's golf team in the Sutton Sports Performance Center under the direction of Assistant Director of Sports Performance Mark Seaver.

Breakfast

Lopez-Chacarra eats breakfast in the Christian McCreary Nutrition Center with teammate Anne-Sterre den Dunnen (’26).

Introduction to Critical and Creative Media class

Lopez-Chacarra and teammate Anne-Sterre den Dunnen (’26) attend class with Professor Cagney Gentry in Carswell Hall where they discuss experimental filmmaking.

Physical therapy

Lopez-Chacarra attends physical therapy at Sports Medicine with Head Athletic Trainer Niles Fleet.

Friendly competition

Lopez-Chacarra enjoys a friendly competition on the putting green with men’s golfer Tom Haberer (’27), as fellow men's golfer Scotty Kennon (’25) cheers them on.

Practice on the putting

Lopez-Chacarra practices on the putting green with Associate Head Coach Ryan Potter.

"My head coach, Kim Lewellen, and assistant coach, Ryan Potter, have had the greatest impact on my experience at Wake Forest. They have made the university feel like a home away from home, providing unwavering support and guidance. Because of them, I have learned invaluable life lessons both on and off the golf course. They have played a crucial role in shaping the person I am today, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity they have given me to pursue a college degree while continuing to do what I love most: playing golf," she said.

New swag and a snack

Lopez-Chacarra talks to Range Worker Rob Heflin in a conference room at the Haddock House while she grabs some grapes for a snack, and picks up new Wake Forest University swag to wear at the ACC Tournament.

Intercultural Communication class

Lopez-Chacarra attends class with Professor Michael Hazen in Carswell Hall. The class divided into small groups to discuss the emotions of different cultures.

Practice on the driving range

Lopez-Chacarra warms up and stretches before she hits some balls on the driving range.

Packing up for the ACC Tournament, and a team photo

Lopez-Chacarra and her teammates load up their golf gear and personal items to head to the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina. The team poses for a photo together in front of the Haddock House.

"Enjoy every moment, because it goes by faster than you can imagine," Lopez-Chacarra said. "Four years may initially seem like a long time, but before you know it, you’ll be looking back, wondering where the time went. Take every opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, explore different classes, and embrace experiences beyond what you’re used to. Make friends, build relationships, and invest in the people around you, because those connections will last a lifetime. College is not just about academics or athletics, it’s about growing as a person, discovering who you are, and creating memories that will stay with you forever."