Golf Alarab · Player profile
Sofia Cherif Essakali
A Moroccan talent building an international record through junior victories and elite amateur competition.
From Agadir to the American collegiate circuit, Sofia Cherif Essakali has established herself as one of Morocco’s promising young golfers. Her record includes multiple AJGA victories, back-to-back Pan Arab Women’s Championship titles and appearances in leading amateur events.
From Moroccan junior golf to the international stage
A developing career shaped by national representation, junior titles and collegiate competition.
Sofia Cherif Essakali comes from Agadir, Morocco. She developed through junior and amateur competition on both sides of the Atlantic, competing in North African championships while gaining experience in the United States. The Royal Moroccan Golf Federation records early international milestones, including qualification for the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 2022 and strong performances in the Lalla Meryem Cup.
Her progress continued through the college-golf pathway. The University of Arkansas lists her among its women’s golf players and notes that she had reached as high as 176th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. During her period of training in Florida, she played in two Wyndham Cups for Team East and helped the United States win the 2024 Junior Solheim Cup.
Essakali’s junior record includes multiple American Junior Golf Association victories. In June 2024, she won the girls’ division at the AJGA Junior at Parris Island with a three-round total of 214, two under par, after rounds of 72, 70 and 72. The AJGA identified it as her third career title. She also won the Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational in 2024 and had won the AJGA Huntsville Junior in 2023, according to her official federation profile.
The achievements shaping her career
Junior titles, Arab championship success and international experience
The standout achievements include AJGA titles in 2023 and 2024, selection to the 2024 Junior All-American first team, consecutive Pan Arab Women’s Championship victories in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, and a place on the winning United States team at the 2024 Junior Solheim Cup. In January 2025, she finished runner-up at the Women’s Orlando International Amateur.
Career timeline
Selected milestones from her amateur and collegiate development.
U.S. Women’s Amateur qualification
The Royal Moroccan Golf Federation lists qualification for the U.S. Women’s Amateur among her early international milestones.
Pac-12 and Moroccan team success
Recorded second place in the CGA Women’s Match Play Championship, won the Throne Cup team title with RGAM and won the AJGA Huntsville Junior.
First Lalla Meryem Cup appearance
Finished 49th at the Ladies European Tour event in Rabat, gaining experience against an international professional field.
Two major AJGA victories
Won the AJGA Junior at Parris Island and the Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational; was named to the Junior All-American first team.
Pan Arab championship repeat
Won the Pan Arab Women’s Championship for a second consecutive edition, with the two editions held in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
Junior Solheim Cup
Helped Team United States win the Junior Solheim Cup during her training period in Florida, according to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Strong international event schedule
Finished third at the R&A Junior Open and 42nd at the Lalla Meryem Cup; the federation notes she was the youngest player to make the cut at the event.
Women’s Orlando International Amateur
Finished runner-up in January 2025 and later competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, according to her player record and university biography.
Collegiate golf pathway
Continued her development as part of the University of Arkansas women’s golf programme; future season results should be added only when confirmed in official records.
Signature achievements
The results and experiences that currently define her amateur record.
AJGA
Multiple victories
Won the 2023 AJGA Huntsville Junior and claimed two further titles in 2024.
Parris Island
214 (-2)
Won the 2024 AJGA Junior at Parris Island with rounds of 72, 70 and 72.
Stacy Lewis Invitational
2024 champion
Added a second AJGA win in 2024 at the Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational.
Pan Arab golf
Back-to-back champion
Won the Pan Arab Women’s Championship in consecutive editions held in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
Junior Solheim Cup
Team winner in 2024
Helped the United States win the Junior Solheim Cup during her Florida training period.
International amateur golf
R&A Junior Open and ANWA
Placed third at the R&A Junior Open and competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Career direction and legacy
A profile at the intersection of Moroccan golf and the American amateur pathway.
Essakali’s career is notable for the range of settings in which she has competed: Moroccan and Pan Arab events, the AJGA junior circuit, international amateur championships and U.S. collegiate golf. This breadth provides competitive experience that can support long-term development, while her wins show she has already translated that experience into results.
As her collegiate career progresses, the profile should evolve with official tournament records rather than assumptions about rankings or future status. Her most meaningful milestones to date are clear: multiple AJGA wins, consecutive Pan Arab titles, Junior All-American recognition and international team experience.
