An inspiring vision for life after sports

At Lorena Ochoa's farewell announcement last month, LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan wanted to assure the world's best female golfer that she could always come back to the LPGA Tour. He joked that he was going to send her some videos of Brett Favre, as a gentle reminder that some athletic careers do have second, or third, or fourth acts.

So does life, of course, which is why Ochoa retired last week at age 28 to devote herself to philanthropy and family. The LPGA certainly will miss the groundbreaking Mexican star, who leaves with a sheaf of records after 158 consecutive weeks as the top-ranked women's player on the planet.

But in this case, golf's loss is the world's gain, given Ochoa's hands-on approach to good works and a selflessness that proves some athletes still are worthy of our admiration.

Since she joined the LPGA Tour in 2002, Ochoa has been one of its best-liked players among her peers, the galleries and those whose work goes unnoticed. Her kindness, humility and joyful spirit made an indelible impression everywhere she went. At tournaments, she often sought out course maintenance crews to thank and talk with them. At the 2008 Kraft Nabisco Championship, she helped cook breakfast for the grounds crew early in the week; when she won, Ochoa took the traditional leap into the pond with two dozen relatives and friends.

She always intended to have a brief stay on the LPGA circuit. Unlike many superstars, who define themselves solely as professional athletes, Ochoa held a compelling vision for life after sports. Her Lorena Ochoa Foundation runs an elementary school for poor children in her home city of Guadalajara, as well as programs to enhance kids' lives through sports and the arts. She plans to build a middle school and high school and establish similar projects in Mexico City and Monterrey.

This summer, Ochoa will open a golf academy in Southern California to bring the game to Latinos in nontraditional settings such as shopping centers and churches. That work -- and her desire to remain closer to home and family -- pulled her away from an eight-year career that included 27 LPGA Tour victories, four Rolex Player of the Year awards and nearly $15 million in earnings.

"I wanted to play for around 10 years," she said at her April 23 retirement announcement in Mexico City, which also marked the third anniversary of her reign atop the world rankings. "I wanted to be able to achieve my goals, to stay at the top. Then, after that, I wanted to move on.

Ochoa, married in December to Andres Conesa, CEO of Aeromexico, said they hope to have children after a year or two as a "normal couple." Her departure leaves another void on the LPGA Tour, as Annika Sorenstam's retirement did in 2008. While the tour has been hit hard by the economy -- it has only 24 events this year, including 13 in the U. S. -- it retains some youthful star power with players such as Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie.

Ochoa also plans to compete at her Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara and left open the possibility of playing some majors in the future.

Plenty of pro athletes cannot wean themselves away from the public adulation or huge paychecks or the endless ego trip, even as their talent or motivation wanes. Ochoa said she recognized early this season that her ardor for tournament golf was ebbing as her mind drifted toward her other passions. Because she could no longer fully commit herself to it, she said goodbye, an honorable and selfless choice.

As she spoke about retirement, Ochoa said several times that she felt compelled to follow her heart. While athletes such as Tiger Woods and Ben Roethlisberger allow themselves to be guided by other body parts, she did not allow the perks of fame to warp her sensibilities. She has remained true to herself. By living in such a brave, beautiful way, Ochoa will continue to write a legacy that expands well beyond the boundaries of sports.