The University of Idaho women's golf team added Valeria Patino to its roster for the 2017-18 season.
 
Patino was born in Florida and raised in Panama but comes to Idaho by way of Texas where she was a standout for Seven Lakes High School (Katy, Texas). She finished in the top five at the Texas State girls championship and has a handicap of +1.5 with a career low round of 66.
 
She moved to Texas to live with an aunt to attend high school at Seven Lakes. As a junior player in Panama, she won every tournament she entered. Her father, Juan Carlos Patino, is a golf professional.
 
"Valeria has made steady improvement in her technical game under the direction of her father," coach Lisa Johnson said. "She is strongly committed to the process of improving. Her tournament successes at all levels reflect this dedication.
 
"She has solid fundamentals and a desire to compete – both of which caught my attention on the recruiting trail."
 
The Vandals lose just one senior to graduation this season, which gives Patino a chance to play immediately.
 
"Valeria's addition will make an immediate impact and continue the upward progress of Vandal women's golf," Johnson said.