Genoveva Chavez (1942–1997) is known as the “First Lady of the Santa Fe Fiesta. She began singing when she was five at weddings and other family celebrations. By the time she was a young woman her career was in full bloom and she performed with several Mariachi groups and Mexican stars including Lucha Villa, Lola Beltran, Vicente Fernandez and Jose Alfredo Jimenez. The GCCC, Santa Fe’s largest sports complex, is named for Genoveva Chavez.
Mary Sanchez Links de Santa Fe
Marty Sanchez (1966-1992) was a native of Santa Fe. At eight years of age he won first place in the Pee-Wee Division of the Sun County PGA Junior Tournament at the Santa Fe Country Club. After completing his primary education at St. Anne’s Parochial school, he went on to Santa Fe High and was a member of the SFHS Golf Team where won many tournaments throughout the state. When Sanchez graduated from SFHS in 1984 he was awarded golf scholarships to both N.M. Junior College and Western N.M. University, winning championships for both schools. His dream was to become a professional golfer but in the fall of 1991 he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor surrounding his vital organs and died in the spring of 1992. Today, the Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe Golf course is named in his honor.