The year 2020 has arrived with exciting challenges for Laura. After earning her card for the Ladies European Tour and became part of Pro Spanish Team, she now faces a packed season schedule with 24 tournaments and thousands of kilometres to travel. However, she takes on the challenge full of excitement, finally achieving what she always dreamt about. The fellow Spaniards she travels with will always be there for support, and wherever she goes, she knows she has the backing of her father, who is also her coach. Her sole objective this season is to grow as a golfer, gain confidence and maintain her tour card. Just like her idol, Azahara Muñoz, Laura is also a product of the youth programme at Real Club Golf Guadalmina.

Photo: Fredy Torra

Chosen ‘Player of the Year’ on the Santander Golf Tour, Laura Gómez is one of five new players to achieve a LET card without having to pass through the qualifying school. After studying Business Management and Administration in Virginia on a golf scholarship, the young player from Malaga feels ready for the challenge of the big European tour. For her, this circuit has improved a lot and offers her the perfect opportunity to work towards her longterm goals: “Right now I am very happy on the European Tour, which despite its name, offers the chance to travel outside of Europe and see the rest of the world”, she tells us excitedly, even though she doesn’t rule out playing on the American circuit in the future: “The American tour appeals to me a lot, but right now I want to focus on the European and build confidence because in America, I think the level is higher and more competitive. Accustomed to having a psychologist, coach, personal trainer and nutritionist, Laura must now navigate her tournaments alone. However, she assures us that she is ready because “I learnt everything from them – I try anything and eat healthy food, but I avoid fast food. The good thing about our golfing trips is that we rent a house and cook together, making sure that we look after ourselves a lot. That’s why I eat lots of vegetables. Also, Azahara has given me some training exercises that I can do in the gym and it’s going quite well”, Laura reveals.

A sociable person with a big smile, Laura is well-loved by her colleagues: “I get on with everybody. I don’t like to be on my own; I never travel alone. I like to be in a group, I always sit at the busiest table; that way I can be friends with everybody”. This season, Noemí Jiménez, Carmen Alonso and María Hernández will be he travel companions. She will train with them for the 30 weeks she will be away from home: “I’m going to play in all tournaments I can. I love travelling, meeting new people and playing on golf courses I’ve never played before”. Laura Gómez comes from a family who are passionate about golf. Her father is a professional and teacher at the Guadalmina Academy. He taught Laura and her brother how to play and, even though she wasn’t too interested to begin with, when she turned eight, she started to show her ability. That’s when her mother resigned her-self to a life of “always talking about golf at family reunions”, she laughs. But it was Azahara Muñoz who really encouraged her to cross the Atlantic with her brother: “Azahara has always been an example to follow for me; I idolise her. Seeing her in America winning so many tournaments – that’s real motivation for me. And my brother too. He was much better than me. He decided to go, and I followed him. Anyway, I liked the idea of studying in the US”.

Her long game is Laura’s strength: “I’m good with the driver, woods and irons. I haven’t got the same confidence with my approach play. My putting game can vary from one day to the next”. She also loves playing on new courses: “I think not knowing the courses is good because I’m not aware of the dangers. I see that as an advantage because I worry less about mistakes. At Guadalmina for example, my home, I never have an outstanding round”, Laura tells us. Her dream is one day to “compete in the Olympic Games or in a Solheim Cup”, and even though right now her main aim is just to maintain her card and achieve a good ranking, she only sees a future in golf for herself: “I don’t know where or how, but rest assured, I’ll be playing golf”.