Coach Conversations
Giovana Maymon on being a young head coach, Lorena Ochoa and what Arizona golf means to Mexico

March 10, 2025 • by Dan Davies

After three highly successful years working as an assistant to Garrod Chadwell at Texas A&M, a run that saw the Aggies reach the match play stages all three years, Giovana Maymon was given the opportunity to become Head Coach at Arizona. A “no brainer” is how she describes the decision to accept and lead a program that has a rich history in her native Mexico.

Maymon, who played for Baylor in the Championship Match at the 2015 NCAA finals, made a fast start to her first season in charge. The Wildcats won their first tournament, the Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes and followed up by claiming the St Andrews Links Collegiate title at the Home of Golf.

In the conversation, which is available to watch in full on our YouTube channel, Coach Maymon shares insights from her experiences of competing in Scotland, the importance of setting realistic goals, and the lessons learned from golf legend Lorena Ochoa.

On being a young head coach

“Being young in this industry brings a lot of challenges to it, but also connects me really well with these kids. I really understand where they're coming from. I came to another country too. So there's a lot of connections there that as a young coach, I can connect to them and understand their world in a way, because we live in such a different world now with social media and what matters to these kids. It’s crazy but it's what they live in.”

On working with Gerrod Chadwell at Texas A&M

“We had an amazing three years. As a head coach now, really getting into this role, I saw more of what he did. We matched really well as an assistant and head coach. I want that in my team. G really cares so much about each kid, which I think that's one of the reasons why we did so well.”

On taking over at Arizona

“You have to be very careful coming into a new place. You have to set up your rules and what you do and your culture. But at the same time, you really have to respect these kids because they're going through a change.”

On what Arizona golf means to Mexico

“Arizona always meant a lot to Mexico golf because we had Lorena here. Ale Llaneza, so many players that have gone here. It was the dream school to go to in Mexico because Lorena came here and how good this program was. Annika too. For me, it was always a dream to come to Arizona.”

On Lorena Ochoa

“This job has brought me closer to Lorena. We were close already, even though she's older than me. Mexico golf is such a small world and we always knew each other. We talk a lot. We text constantly.”

On winning at the Home of Golf

“St. Andrews was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had as a coach and as a player… In college golf, you can only go outside of your country one time every four years. If you're going to do something like that, I would 100% recommend St Andrews. And for some reason, my team loves to play good on TV!”

On surpassing expectations

“Individually we had big expectations but as a team, it was more about let's get everybody 1% better every day. It was more about the process. That's what I focused on the most.”

On the differences being a top player and a coach

“It's a different kind of pressure. It's a different kind of nerves. I don't miss the shaking and trembling and being super nervous because I had to hit the shots. But in a way, you have control of it as a player. As a coach, you do not.” 

Watch the conversation in full on our YouTube channel