The first thing that catches your attention when you see Claudia are her exquisite manners and her sweetness, but when you see her at La Reserva de Sotogrande driving range everything changes. Her golf shot is impressive and she has a swing that leaves you speechless. It is clear that Claudia has a special talent for golf, furthermore, her trainer, who is one of the greatest in this sport, confirms it. Manuel Piñeiro and Claudia have been working together for a few years now. Claudia will go to the EEUU in August, she has been granted a scholarship by the North Arizona University, this is the beginning of her dream which is to be among the top ten playing a great tournament. As for Manuel, he is sure that in a few years he will see her playing the American Tour.

She learnt what sacrifice is when she was very young, just a child. Being the daughter of athletes, she knows that diet, training and routines are crucial for sportspersons. Her love for the golf started when she was six years old and she soon had to miss celebrations and birthday parties due to some competitions. 

Her effort is starting to bear fruit now with the opportunity to study in one of the most prestigious universities due to its golf program. She has a plan B just in case the golf doesn’t work, which is Business Management: “I have two routes: golf, if after the 4 years at the university I have achieved a good level, I compete with other women and I get some support; or Business Management. I very much like music too.” She says and she explains that she can also sing and she composes her own themes.

She is a big fan of Georgia Hall and Nellie Korda. Between training and gym, Claudia spends five hours a day devoted to golf. She has lots of power and strength and she plays short very well, but it is the second swing that she needs to improve: “I have problems with the 50 to 100 metres chipping, I’m not very good with the long drive, so I’m very often in that situation”, she explains. She likes everything that the golf teaches her: “It brought out the peace that I had inside. Thanks to golf I have found virtues inside me that I didn’t know I had and it shows me how I can improve every day. There are no limits in golf, you can always learn more.” About Piñeiro she ensures: “He has taught me to control the ball with my mind instead of with my body.

The golfer Manuel meanwhile sees many qualities in her: “When kids come to ask me to help them what I consider most important is that they are passionate about what they are doing. If you want to be someone important in this game you need to sacrifice many things and if you aren’t passionate, you won’t succeed. They must have good qualities, be in a good shape and have club speed. Nowadays, in modern golf, if you don’t have that speed, forget about it. I saw those qualities in Claudia. She was a 6 handicap when we started. She just needs to feel trusted to believe that she can be a great professional and with dedication, work and effort she can play the EEUU circuit. She has the club speed, a good technique and the mindset. It is just a matter of aspect working out well. I don’t believe in luck, I believe in hard work and in the heart or the courage to compete. I can create good players technically, I can couch kids to play golf well, but I can’t create a winner because that’s inside the person. Claudia is convinced, she really believes she can do it and that is what is most important.”

Referring to her qualities in the game, Piñero says: “On the whole, she does everything very well, she has good timing, she is balanced and we have achieved a good swing. In the short play she has ups and downs, we have to work hard on it, but she is confident in the putt, she plays it firmly. For me it will be enough if Claudia gets to play the USA circuit.”. Meanwhile, Claudia ensures: “He is very good in the short play, he has taught me to putt. I feel very inspired, fulfilled because someone such us Manuel tells me that my game is worthy.”

Claudia and Miguel are a winning team, we just need to wait until time proves it.