At the age of 10, Michael Herrera found his love for golf. Since that moment his father took him on the course, his life had changed forever.

He Fell in love with the game at that moment.

Despite that new affection for golf, Herrera had another sport in mind. Going into college he was a basketball phenom on the verge of his second season at Riverside City College.

Before the next year got started, however, his coach sat him down and gave another option: the sport of golf.

“I was more upset; basketball was my first love,” said Herrera.

After a long talk with his father, Herrera made the decision to make the switch.

“I still feel like I could play and hoop right now if I wanted to,” said Herrera. He calls himself the “LA Fitness Legend” as he goes to shoot hoops with his friends after he works out.

After two seasons on the Riverside City College golf team, Herrera turned pro in August 2019.

While entering the professional golf world as a player, Herrera had to overcome some financial obstacles of sponsorship. He connected with Ken Bentley the CEO of APGA Tour, a developmental tour for minority golfers.

“Ken Bentley was a huge impact to help me during that time,” said Herrera.

Bentley was able to help Herrera cover the expenses so he would get fitted for his golf clubs. The APGA tour was able to help Herrera get brand new clubs from TaylorMade. A high-end golf club company that is branded in California

“When Phil Mathews the men’s basketball coach called me and said he had a player on his team who could be a PGA Tour player I laughed,” said Ken Bentley.

Bentley believes that Herrera has the “talent and a burning desire to succeed”.

“What you immediately notice about Michael is his personality. Away from the golf course Michael always has a smile on his face,” said Bentley.

There were other sponsors such as NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and Sandy Sandoval, as well as his father.

The APGA has increased its partnerships with sponsors in their recent years. Herrera was able to receive special training from Dana Dahlquist, a top 50 swing coach according to Golf Digest.

“Some of the other tours on the west coast are too expensive, but the APGA wants us to be on tour, its amazing having this support system” says Herrera.

“Whether you are NFL great Ronnie Lott, PGA Tour COO Allison Keller and a fellow PGA Tour member you want to help Michael succeed because he’s a great player who is a really nice person” said Bentley.

Herrera’s first pro tournament was the AZ Open qualifier. “I had nerves of excitement; I was definitely ready to play,” said Herrera.

Before every game he listens to slow R&B and Afrobeats to get his nerves calm and relaxed before his first swing. He listens to artists such as Lucky Daye and Boys II Men to help him get focused.

Herrera models his golf game after Jason Day and Tiger Woods, and he is constantly working on his game to become a better golfer.

One of his biggest challenges currently is improving at such a highly skilled level. “It gets harder to improve as you already have a skillset already made,” said Herrera.

Herrera has certain goals and dreams such as starting a program in Moreno Valley to introduce more Latin American students to the game of golf. He wants to inspire other golfers from a minority background to chase their dreams on the course.

“I want you to be OK being a minority in this sport, remember that you belong here, walk up with your chest high with confidence,” said Herrera.

As he embarks on season, Herrera looks to continue his progress by finishing in the top five this season’s APGA Tour tournament rankings, and he has long term goals of winning three major tournaments during his pro career.

“I am excited to see what the future holds for me,” said Herrera.