Irún’s Irundarra Ander Martínez has been re-elected as the president of the Association of Golf Professionals of Spain (AGPS) for another four-year term. The 50-year-old, who turned professional in 1992, has an impressive resume including victories at the Challenge City of San Sebastián (1999), Open Zarautz (2005), and Laukariz Peugeot Loewe Tour (2008).

Four Successful Years for the IV Bizkaia PGAE Open

Martínez, who managed a golf course and caddied for professionals in international circuits from 2012 to 2019, recently concluded the IV Bizkaia PGAE Open at the Meaztegi field. He spoke about the tournament’s success:

– Can you say that after four years this tournament has already settled?
– Definitely. It is a fixed headquarters and the players consider the tournament as the largest in the circuit. Meaztegi is a campaign made by a figure like Severiano Ballesteros, who designed and inaugurated it. In case it was not enough, its potential is that we are facing a public field that helps popularize sport. That the Diputación has its own field and bets on this type of event is essential to remove the elitist label. From the beginning, things wanted to do in the best possible way and the best example is this tournament.

Ryder Cup Dreams and Spain’s Golf Boom

Martínez also discussed the possibilities of hosting prestigious events like the Ryder Cup and the growing popularity of golf in Spain:

• He acknowledged Catalonia’s strong candidacy for the 2031 Ryder Cup but emphasized that Meaztegi remains in contention.
• Martínez praised the increasing number of licenses and strong Spanish players in both men’s and women’s golf.
• He highlighted the importance of integrating golf into schools and ensuring access to public golf courses in regions like Gipuzkoa, which currently lacks one.

Martinez’s Love for Golf and Burgos

When asked about his residence in Burgos, Martínez shared a personal anecdote:

– A curiosity: Why does it reside in Burgos?
– Traveling in different parts, I met what today is my dear wife. It is a simple and spectacular love story that would give us for another chapter. She is Burgos and that is why I have been there for 25 years. I go less than I would like to go to Irún, but part of my heart is still there, although in Burgos they treat me very well.