It's over. The 2026 edition of the Spanish Junior, Under-12, and Under-10 Championships – Juan Antonio Andreu Memorial – has come to a close. It will be remembered for the exceptional moments created over these three days by the 423 boys and girls who filled the courses of La Manga Club and Serena Golf with joy and excitement. As a wise person once said, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.".
The weekend of the so-called "Spanish Golf Festival" has come to a close with Sergio Vargas, Sofía Gamilla, Jaime de Wint, Inés Gómez-Balboa, Paula Casas, and Mauro Boluda crowned as the new Spanish champions. These six names are just the tip of the iceberg of an overflowing and passionate pool of talent that has already set its sights on 2027: we'll see you in Barcelona.
CHILDREN'S CATEGORY: Sofía Gamilla adds to her legend and Sergio Vargas has fun at Serena Golf
We have to start with Sofía Gamilla (-3 overall), who finishes her run in this Junior category – we'll miss you! – by winning her second consecutive title. The Andalusian golfer improved throughout the weekend, carding rounds of 73, 72, and 71 to join the select group of doubles winners in this category. That group includes Nagore Martínez, Harang Lee, and Carlota Ciganda.
Andrea Arnal from Valencia (+1), Valentina Corretja from Barcelona (+3) and Cornelia Bermudo from Seville (+3), who was celebrating her thirteenth birthday, have made things difficult for Sofia, who has relied on her extensive winning experience.
We're off to Serena Golf to confirm that Sergio Vargas (-12 overall) is the brand-new Spanish Junior Boys' Champion. The Madrid native started the day in the lead with a comfortable advantage, and even Álvaro Mateu's birdie on the first hole didn't faze him. Latvian Marcus Latt (-5), with the best round of the day, a 67 (-5) with eight birdies, overtook Pedro Tineo and Álvaro Mateu (-1) in the standings.
YOUNGSTERS: Dmitrii, Jaime and Inés compete for the spotlight on a vibrant Sunday
Dmitrii Elchaninov and Jaime de Wint waged one of the week's great (sporting, of course) battles, culminating in the playoff that awarded the victory to the talented Russian on the first extra hole. Jaime couldn't complete his comeback, but he did take home the most coveted prize: the title of Spanish Boys' Under-12 Champion. His brother Oliver has a worthy successor in Jaime.
Also exciting, but without the need for a playoff, was the outcome of the Girls' Under-12 competition, which featured a wide array of contenders on the first tee. Inés Gómez-Balboa from Madrid emerged victorious (+18 total), posting one of the two best rounds of the day; the other belonged to Isabella Cabezas de Herrera (+22), who finished second ahead of Candela Visus (+23).
UNDER 10S: Paula and Mario take the titles to León and Valencia
Paula Casas (-5 overall) hasn't given an inch all week. With the pars she shot in the first two rounds, she was able to enjoy a very relaxed Sunday. This time she couldn't repeat that feat, but her closing round of 40 wasn't bad at all. A very deserving champion. Amahle Mdlulwa (+13) and Aitana Puerta (+15) were the best among the 'mere' golfers.
The men's category had a much more eventful finish, with quite a few players involved. The title went to Mauro Boluda from Valencia (+8 overall), who carded his second 36 of the week. Alan Altuna and Gonzalo Bernal, both with +10, joined him on the podium.
THINGS FROM THE CHILDREN'S CENTER
Juan Guerrero-Burgos: "Thank you for your magnificent attitude"«
The 18th green of the south course was the chosen setting to honor the champions of the various categories. Juan Guerrero-Burgos, President of the RFEG (Royal Spanish Golf Federation), addressed them and all the other players who participated in the tournament with a clear message: “Thank you for your magnificent attitude on the course and the wonderful moments you provide.”.
Less phone, more concentration
At the 2025 awards ceremony, Juan Guerrero-Burgos announced that the tournament would discontinue the use of electronic scorecards and return to paper ones, a measure very well received by the parents. Well, now that it's been implemented, we also know that the change has been well received by the players themselves. The general consensus? "We can concentrate much better this way without the option of looking at our phones.".
Sofía Gamilla, as Josele Ballester
Sofía Gamilla has won four titles across the Spanish National Championships in the Under-14, Under-12, and Under-10 categories. This is an absolutely incredible feat, one that only truly exceptional players can achieve. The precedent for this achievement can be found in José Luis Ballester, one of the great legends of this tournament, as Sofía already is; the Castellón native, now a professional, also won the Under-12 and Under-10 titles once each, and the Under-14 title twice.
Eugenio López-Chacarra also started out as Benjamin
Eugenio López-Chacarra was one of the names on everyone's lips this Sunday, thanks to his third victory on the DP World Tour. The Madrid native is rapidly approaching the world's Top 50. But let's take a look back: before achieving all these successes, Eugenio was on the same course our youngsters are now treading. He was the Spanish Champion in the Benjamin category in 2010 and the Alevín category in 2012, both times at La Manga. As you can see, it all starts here, at the Spanish Junior, Alevín, and Benjamin Championships.
FINAL RESULTS
Boys
1.- Sergio Vargas 204 (69+66+69)
2.- Marcus Latt 211 (72+72+67)
3.- Pedro Tineo 215 (71+72+72)
+.- Álvaro Mateu 215 (73+67+75)
Girls' Junior
1.- Sofia Gamilla 216 (73+72+71)
2.- Andrea Arnal 220 (74+73+73)
3.- Valentina Corretja 222 (76+73+73)
+.- Cornelia Bermudo 222 (75+69+78)
Boys' Under-12
1.- Dmitrii Elchaninov 216 (71+69+76) Win in play-off.
2.- Jaime de Wint 216 (70+73+73)
3.- Theo Oderinde 222 (73+73+76)
4.- Martín Gancedo 226 (75+74+77)
Girls' Under-12
1.- Inés Gómez-Balboa 231 (76+78+77)
2.- Isabella Cabezas de Herrera 233 (77+79+77)
3.- Candela Visus 235 (75+80+80)
Benjamin Male
1.- Mauro Boluda 113 (41+36+36)
2.- Alan Altuna 115 (42+36+37)
+.- Gonzalo Bernal 115 (39+37+39)
Benjamin Female
1.- Paula Casas 110 (35+35+40)
2.- Amahle Mdlulwa 118 (44+36+38)
+.- Aitana Puerta 120 (39+42+39)
