At just 19, Maria Parra obtained the card to play the LPGA tour and LET, which makes her one of golf’s most exciting prospects. She has been one of the stars of the show at La Reserva de Sotogrande Invitational hosted by Annika Sorenstam. As a local player, Maria was cheered on throughout the competition by her family and neighbours. Given that she didn’t want to disappoint those close to her, she took a break from the Symetra Tour, in which she obtained first prize in the latest tournament. This exciting young player has won over all the local people thanks to her fun and lively nature and her explosive golf game, played with courage, determination and ambition. We met with the on the interior terrace of the Reserva de Sotogrande, a place where the Moorish decoration helps you relax after a hard round of golf battling the westerly winds.

You came from the USA to be here, to play at home. Are you happy you did?
I’m really happy. In fact, I had a tournament in the USA, on the Symetra this week and, but I came here, even though it’s not easy to skip a tournament there because there is little difference between one and another, and you can quickly move up or down the rankings. However, this tournament here, five minutes from my home, was one I really wanted to play, which is why I came.

Isn’t it a great surprise to celebrate the tournament here, in Sotogrande?
Yes, being able to play here on this course is great, because quite often, the courses aren’t so good, yet this is incredible. It’s in a magnificent condition. When I found out it was going to be here, I was really happy. Straight away, I was determined to play. Then, looking at the calendar, I wasn’t so sure. But then I came home for a week to spend time with my family and all the local people asked me if I was going to play. How could I say no? It was impossible to refuse, so here I am.

You started playing this sport at a very early age. Who introduced you to the world of golf?
My brother used to play, although he doesn’t anymore. I used to play football because I was very energetic, and I never considered golf. My grandfather worked for 40 years at Sotogrande so, at the age of six, one day I went up to La Cañada with my brother and my grandfather, and my brother told me to try. I told him I was too impatient; that this sport required a calm state of mind, and I didn’t like it. In the end, I tried, I managed to hit the ball, it was great, and I decided to start there and then.

And you stayed there at La Cañada, the only public course in the area.
Yes. When I started, it was great fun because La Cañada is a school which has a very large group for children. There’s around 200, divided into groups, and they start by introducing you to golf while also playing other activities, which is a better way of getting you hooked. I was at La Cañada for seven years. Then, my coach, Juan Antonio Marín, opened an academy called Siga, which belongs to the Sotogrande School, and I was given a grant to go there with him. We’ve been working together now for around eight years, and I’m very happy.

Don’t you think that if there were more public courses offering schools such as this, it would help more people take up golf?
Maybe. In my opinion, I think it would help a lot because not everybody can afford to pay a lot of money for their child to learn. Of course, you need to pay the teacher, but, if they open training clubs for children to start at an early age, it will provide a lot of benefits, because golf is a lot easier when you start young. That would be fantastic.

And after this tournament, what plans have you got for the rest of the season?
I’m going back to the US. I’ve played six tournaments there and there are 23, so I’m going to carry on playing there. I’ve got nothing on the European tour. The only invitation I’ve got is for this tournament. Now, I’ve got six straight weeks, but I like it that way. This is what I want because playing their, fighting to obtain the LPGA tour card is a challenge, but I want to play the tour again.

Would you like the LET to grow so you can stay in Europe?
I prefer Europe to the US, but the tour over there is a lot different to here. There, if you finish within the top 10, you have the opportunity to play in the LPGA. If, in the future, the number of tournaments in the LET increases, I’m sure I could try to come here more and combine the two.

Is it difficult living so far away from home?
Yes. I’ve been in the USA now for three years, and I was travelling around Europe before then. When I was little, I was in Blume, living in Madrid. But it’s hard. I miss a lot about Spain, above all my family, and also the food, because that’s not so good in the USA.

Is it hard to follow a healthy diet in the USA?
Is not easy, but we try. As a group, we often buy chicken, rice, vegetables and pasta at the supermarket and try and cook at home, so we ensure healthy eating.

How do you travel around the USA?
There are around seven Spanish players, in addition to players from Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, and we go together. I normally share a car with a Spanish player, Marta Martín and Delfina, from Argentina. It can take up to 12 hours by car travelling between tournaments, but, as they are three of us, we take it in turns at the wheel, because flights are very expensive.

What is your aim this season?
I would like to finish among the top 10 in the Symetra, which would give me access to the LPGA again. That’s my aim for this year.

And further ahead?
To play the LPGA again, play a Solheim, and play in the Olympic Games. I know it’s a lot, but I can do it.

What do you think about the possibility of the Solheim coming to Marbella?
That would be amazing, another dream come true. Being here, close to home, in this area – everybody I’ve spoken to knows this is a wonderful place, they all love it and would enjoy living here. Hopefully, it can be held here.

Do you think you will always be a player?
Right now, yes. I’m 21 and I’ve just started. However, if I stop playing one day, maybe I will start an academy or something like that. I want to continue with golf in some way. It’s always got to be golf.

What do you need to improve on?
My weakness is the approach play around the green. When the ball is in an exposed area, I find it difficult. I’m improving a lot but at times, I use my sand wedge and I don’t feel comfortable. Then, I change it for the putter. But, if I’m 5 m from the green, it’s difficult to control the power. So, if I had to name one, that would be my main weakness.

Her strength is, without doubt, her great personality. A born fighter, Maria plays through the season with great expectations. She carries the love of her family and the whole of Guadiaro in her suitcase with her, together with probably a few other ‘Made in Spain’ products as well! We wish you the best of luck during this demanding time, filled with tournaments and travel, in the land of opportunities, and we hope that your suitcase on the way home is a bit heavier thanks to carrying a trophy or two.