Clara Martínez is packing her bags to leave for the United States on Friday, carrying an athletic scholarship that will take her from her home in Palafrugell to Park University in Missouri, near Kansas, to continue her golf career. The journey marks a milestone for the Catalan golfer, who developed her game locally before earning the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level in North America.
From Weekend Hobbies at Gualta to Competitive Play
According to Martínez, her entry into the sport started informally through her father, Josep, who played golf as a hobby. When she was nine years old, she began accompanying him on Saturdays and Sundays to the pitch and putt course in Gualta. What started as casual weekend visits gradually escalated into formal lessons, acquiring her own set of clubs, and eventually committing to regular training and competitive tournaments.
«Tot sorgeix amb el pare, en Josep, que hi juga com a hobby», Martínez recounted. «Quan tenia nou anys, l’acompanyava algun dissabte o diumenge, allà al pitch&putt de Gualta. I la cosa va anar creixent.»
Her mother, Paqui, noted the chaotic preparation leading up to her departure, describing the family home ahead of Friday’s flight.
«Sembla que hi hagi hagut una guerra, has de passar de puntetes», Paqui Martínez said regarding her daughter’s cluttered room during final packing preparations.
Joining the Collegiate Ranks in Missouri
Martínez will enroll at Park University, located in the state of Missouri near the Kansas border.
Her move mirrors the paths taken this summer by other local competitors, including Júlia Fuentes, Paula Acín and Loida Colomer from Bàsquet Girona, who have similarly advanced their athletic and academic careers abroad.
Next Steps and Departure
Martínez finalizes her preparations this week ahead of her Friday flight to the United States.
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