.Chanya Huaysan, Rut Díaz, and Luna Isabella Valencia, with spectacular rounds of 68 strokes (-4), have set the pace at Mar Menor Golf. 'Veterans'…

.Chanya Huaysan, Rut Díaz and Luna Isabella Valencia, with spectacular rounds of 68 strokes (-4), have set the pace at Mar Menor Golf.

.'Veterans' of this tournament such as Oliver de Wint and Sofia Gamilla have stood out in a first day played in excellent weather.

The start of the 2024 Spanish Junior, Under-12, and Under-10 Championships at the Real Golf La Manga Club and Mar Menor Golf courses in Murcia has been dominated by two factors: the excellent atmosphere among the 423 participants (plus their parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.) and the exceptional level of play in the various events. Seven rounds under par were even seen today!

The sunny day, with moderate heat and a gentle breeze, has provided a perfect setting for golf, and golfers of different categories have taken advantage of this to shave off some strokes on the course that could prove crucial this Thursday.

VIDEO | Friends and fun on the first day of the Spanish Benjamin Championship

CHILDREN'S: Life is better under par

What has unfolded at Mar Menor Golf, the course hosting the Junior Championships, has been a true festival. A festival of under-par golf, specifically. Five of the ninety participants have conquered the meticulously maintained Murcian course, and three of them did so with rounds of 68 strokes (-4). We're talking about Chanya Huaysan from Andalusia, Rut Díaz from Madrid, and local player Luna Isabella Valencia, who two years ago triumphed at La Manga in the Under-12 category.

A statistic that will blow your mind? Between these three players, they've only carded… one bogey! The rest of their 54 holes have been eleven birdies, one eagle – credit it to Rut – and forty-one pars. But these spectacular results shouldn't overshadow Carmen Fevre's 70 (-2) or Pilar Montells' 71 (-1).

There was also plenty of action in the Boys' Junior category, with rounds of 71 (-2) from Oliver de Wint from Malaga and 72 (-1) from Mario Enguita from Zaragoza dominating the day, with Martín Cervera and Liam White close behind. Oliver's performance was particularly interesting: he carded a brilliant eagle on the 13th hole, made a double bogey on the 17th, and then, to make amends, signed for another eagle on the 18th. "Well, it wasn't bad," the 13-year-old said matter-of-factly.

YOUNGSTERS: Sergio Vargas and Sofía Gamilla take the lead

Sergio Vargas, from Madrid, is the early leader among the under-12 boys, thanks to a near-perfect round, only stumbling on three holes and taking home a couple of very nice birdies. He carded a 72 (+1), one stroke better than three Andalusians: Eduardo de la Macorra, Hugo Fuentes, and Marcus Latt, who was the best in the under-10 category on this same course a couple of years ago.

Among the girls, the spotlight is on a familiar face at the tournament, Sofía Gamilla from Andalusia, who, not content with winning the Spanish Under-10 Championship in 2022 and being runner-up last year in the Under-12 category, leads after these first eighteen holes with 77 strokes (+6). Carla Velázquez from Catalonia (+7) follows her; no one made more birdies than her today, four, three of them on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd holes.

BENJAMINS: Madrid natives in power on the West route

They're the best, and that's final. The youngest players in the tournament are pure exuberance and overflowing with naturalness, completely unfiltered. They say whatever comes to mind: "Remember to open up the ball a lot, mate," one of them tells his playing partner. "Don't worry, we'll all help you find the ball," one suggests to another, struggling through the trees.

In addition to the great atmosphere and camaraderie, the first leaders have emerged from the West Course at La Manga Club: Madrid native Felipe Seferian (+2) was the best of the men with seven glorious pars, and fellow Madrid natives Sophia Mingyue Jiang and Inés Gómez-Balboa, both with +3, lead the women's standings. Gómez-Balboa even managed to record two birdies.

On their way to the pool, María and Clara chatted about their round, smiles on their faces. María said to her friend, "I made more putts than shots! How is that even possible?" They both shrugged and burst out laughing. Such is life at the Spanish Junior Championships.

AROUND THE GREEN

Oliver de Wint is looking forward to the tournament

And he proved it with two eagles to lead the Boys' Under-14 event. "I'm really looking forward to winning this Spanish Championship because I've been playing in it for a few years now and I love it," said the leader, who came close last year in the Under-12 category, but lost to another Andalusian, Martín Cervera, who has started at even par. Will this be Oliver's year? We'll find out on Thursday.

Like father, like son…

Naturally, among all these young champions are heirs to renowned golfing dynasties. Like father, like son, as they say. Among the devoted parents patiently awaiting their children, we've seen a two-time European Mid-Amateur Champion like Carlos de Corral, a player with experience on the National Teams like María Recasens, and a winner of the Spanish Over-30 Championship, among many other achievements, like Miguel Díaz-Negrete.

RESULTS OF THE FIRST DAY

Boys

1.- Oliver de Wint 71

2.- Mario Anguita 72

3.- Martín Cervera 73

+.- Liam White 73

Full results

Girls' Junior

1.- Chanya Huaysan 71

+.- Rut Díaz 71

+.- Luna Isabella Valencia 71

Full results