.Oliver de Wint, Ángela Revuelta, Pedro Tineo, Sofía Gamilla, Felipe Seferian and Ana Iturmendi are the new Spanish champions at the close of three days of golf and camaraderie, the hallmark of this tournament.
.Angela Revuelta's playoff victory in the Junior event after signing a card of 65 strokes (-7) has been the peak of excitement on a Thursday to remember.
Vibrant, exciting, emotional… The conclusion of the 2024 Spanish Junior, Under-12, and Under-10 Championships did not disappoint anyone at the Real Golf La Manga Club and Mar Menor Golf courses. The 423 participants enjoyed three days of golf, fun, and passion in Murcia, and six of them returned home with the honor of being Spanish champions in their respective categories: Oliver de Wint, Ángela Revuelta, Pedro Tineo, Sofía Gamilla, Felipe Seferian, and Ana Iturmendi.
These six players will go down in the tournament's history as the main protagonists, but the truth is that there have been more, starting with the Russian Dmitrii Elchaninov, winner of the Benjamin event, and continuing with Rut Díaz, who deserved a children's title that only escaped her because of Ángela Revuelta's feat of 65.
CHILDREN'S: Oliver resists and Angela triumphs heroically
“What more can I do to become Spanish champion?” Rut Díaz (-7) might very well ask herself. The Madrid native has had a wonderful week with three rounds under par, but there's little that can be done when a golfer like Ángela Revuelta (-7) comes along and shoots a 65 (-7) to blow everything up at Mar Menor Golf. The youngest of the Revuelta sisters has achieved what her siblings came so close to: winning this tournament.
Pay attention to her final round: a double bogey to start, followed by seven birdies (key ones on the 15th and 16th) and an eagle to gradually chip away at Rut Díaz's lead. Both finished tied at -7, three strokes behind Chanya Huaysan, and went to a playoff, where Ángela prevailed with a par on the 18th.
The men's tournament was less stressful, dominated from start to finish by Oliver de Wint (even par), who managed his lead well on the crucial day. He never looked in danger of losing the title, although his bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes fueled the hopes of fellow Malagan Martín Cervera (+1). Both he and Javier Pérez-Tasso (+3) from Catalonia added excitement to the competition.
YOUNGSTERS: The talent of La Cañada has its reward
In the first two rounds, without making much noise but consistently playing well, Pedro Tineo (+6) positioned himself to play in the featured group on the final day. When that moment arrived, he made quite a splash, thanks to a string of birdies. The Andalusian carded the best round of the week, a 68 (-3), with a run of four consecutive birdies between the 8th and 11th holes that secured him the title of Spanish champion, no less.
Graciliano Ballesteros (+8) also beat par (70), but Pedro Tineo's composure left him without a chance. The Andalusian's five pars to finish weren't enough to secure him a playoff spot. Third place went to Marcus Latt (+10), an Estonian with an Andalusian license, another regular at the top of the leaderboard.
Shortly before, another golfer from La Cañada (Cádiz), Sofía Gamilla (+18), became Spanish champion, achieving a double victory: she has already won both the Benjamin and Alevín categories. In this final round, she played alongside Carla Velázquez (+40) from Catalonia and Cornelia Bermudo (+26), also from Andalusia. Bermudo, a cheerful and smiling young woman, was just as likely to applaud each of her playing partners' shots as she was to present everyone with a cake for her eleventh birthday. In the end, it was a moment of hugs and congratulations for the new champion.
BENIGNERS: Dmitrii's comeback, titles for Felipe and Anita
A thrilling duel unfolded on the West Course between Dmitrii Elchaninov (+3), a Russian with an Andalusian license, and Felipe Seferian (+4) from Madrid, the leader after the first two rounds. Dmitrii, a prodigy already renowned among young players, delivered a decisive blow in the final round with a score of -2! His only under-par round of the week secured him the victory ahead of Felipe, who nevertheless became the new Spanish champion.
Ana Iturmendi (+11), for her part, won the women's event, fiercely defending the excellent haul she had accumulated after two very solid days. Inés Gómez-Balboa (+14) from Madrid and Isabella Cabezas de Herrera (+16) from the Canary Islands put up a great fight in a very entertaining match, but the Barcelona native wasn't about to let her first Spanish championship title slip away. Well deserved, Anita.
AROUND THE GREEN
Once again, hand in hand with the Anar Foundation
Once again, this championship has benefited from the active support of the ANAR Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting and defending the rights of children and adolescents. If you would like to collaborate with their projects, you can become a member through their website (anar.org), by phone at 900 92 82 92 from 9 am to 8 pm, or by sending an email to atencionaldonante@anar.org.
A ceremony worthy of a 'major'‘
Every major sporting event must honor its champions in grand style, and this championship certainly did. Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the RFEG (Royal Spanish Golf Federation), and the other authorities welcomed the winners to the stage, where they posed smiling with their trophies. The most emotional moment came when Ángela Revuelta dedicated her victory to her brother Álvaro, who a few years ago lost the same title she had just won in a playoff.
THIS IS WHAT OUR SPANISH CHAMPIONS ARE LIKE
Oliver de Wint, Spanish Children's Champion
Guadalhorce (Málaga). He started playing even in diapers, and his family quickly realized that what he loved most was chasing a ball. Very skillful little hands. A peculiar quality? His ability to imitate legendary swings, from Sergio to Jon.
Ángela Revuelta, Spanish Children's Champion
RSHECC (Madrid). Last year she narrowly missed out on the championship in Cádiz, but this year she's made up for it. Sister of Álvaro, Andrea—the current Spanish National Champion and Queen's Cup winner—and Amanda, Ángela is known for her competitiveness and for never giving up on a shot. This has led her to become the Spanish Under-16 Champion this year.
Pedro Tineo, Spanish Under-12 Champion
La Cañada (Cádiz). As a true representative of the Cádiz youth system, Pedro has spectacular hands that have allowed him to develop by leaps and bounds. Very consistent and reliable, as we saw this week, he knows how to handle pressure well.
Sofía Gamilla, Spanish Junior Champion
La Cañada (Cádiz). Champion in the Benjamin category in 2022, runner-up in the Alevín category in 2023, and who knows, maybe even the Infantil champion soon. She picked up a stick for the first time at seven years old and hasn't put it down since. A powerful hitter and solid in all aspects of the game, you won't find anyone who has a negative word to say about her play… And she's still in the Alevín category!
Felipe Seferian, Spanish Under-12 Champion
RC Puerta de Hierro (Madrid). A very young player whose strengths include a spectacular long game. Add to that a putting touch as fine as he displayed this week, and you have a very complete golfer.
Ana Iturmendi, champion of Spain Benjamín
RCG El Prat (Barcelona). Her journey over these years reflects what this tournament is all about: two years ago, also in La Manga, Anita was one of the youngest in the children's category. She had a wonderful experience, finishing third from last. Two editions later, she was the best in her category, demonstrating that in this sport, improvement comes with hard work, enthusiasm, perseverance, and commitment.
FINAL RESULTS
Boys
1.- Oliver de Wint 219 (71+72+76)
2.- Martín Cervera 220 (73+73+74)
3.- Javier Pérez-Tasso 222 (74+72+76)
Girls' Junior
1.- Ángela Revuelta 209 (73+71+65) Wins in play-off.
2.- Rut Díaz 209 (68+71+70)
3.- Chanya Huaysan 212 (68+74+70)
Boys' Under-12
1.- Pedro Tineo 219 (76+75+68)
2.- Graciliano Ballesteros 221 (76+75+70)
3.- Marcus Latt 223 (73+78+72)
Girls' Under-12
1.- Sofia Gamilla 231 (77+79+75)
+.- Cornelia Bermudo 239 (79+83+77)
3.- Zoe Zavoralova 249 (82+87+80)
+.- Inés María 249 (82+87+80)
+.- Txell Alos 249 (80+91+78)
Benjamin Male
1.- Dmitrii Elchaninov +3
2.- Felipe Seferian +4 (Spanish Champion)
3.- Alex Carrión +14
Benjamin Female
1. Ana Iturmendi +11
2.- Inés Gómez-Balboa +14
3.- Isabella Cabezas de Herrera +16
Check out the full results, videos and photo gallery below in the Related Links section.
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