Marta Sanz is a junior on the women’s golf team. Originally from Madrid, Spain, Sanz hopes to turn professional after her time at Auburn is over. Sanz agreed to sit down with The Plainsman and discuss her recent playing and goals for the future.
The women’s golf team just returned from the Tar Heel Invitational at Chapel Hill, N.C., where you finished with an 80 on the par-72 course. How did you feel about the tournament and how is the team looking this year?
I clearly didn’t play good, but I think it was just because I was really exhausted from playing a lot of weeks (in a row). That was the main reason I think I played bad. It’s not an excuse, because I have to keep playing well even if I’m tired because that’s what a pro tour is like, but I still feel good about my game and the team’s game. We love that tournament, they always provide really great food and the course is nice. I think we’re a really promising team, and I think we’re going to do really well this season.
The team opened up the season ranked seventh, but is now eighth. How is everyone looking to improve to No. 1?
I think they still feel really good, we just had an off tournament. We’re coming from playing really great at Georgia at the fall preview, which is a really important tournament that national championships team play at. We honed the lead until the last day, and we still feel ready to be number one and win the national championship.
Many professional golfers say that golf is 90 percent mental. Do you agree? How do you prepare for high-profile competitions?
I definitely agree. Practicing uses your mental game as well, because you need a lot of confidence. If you practice a lot and get your confidence up, then your mental games get better. You also have to practice your mental game, improve your concentration and just have time by yourself to think about the game.
You and your older sister, Patricia (graduated in 2012), were both on the golf team. Coming from Madrid, Spain, how did you choose to come to Auburn?
It’s really popular in Spain to come to the U.S. to play golf. You can’t play golf in Spain while going to college. The studies are too hard and won’t allow you to do both at this level. There was another Spanish girl on Auburn’s team who recommended the coach recruit my sister. The coach recruited her, my sister felt convinced, and then my sister talked to the coach about recruiting me and she did. We knew this was a great place to come and play golf. They were highly ranked, so we just came here.
What was it like representing Spain (and helping them tie for fifth) in the World Amateur Team Championship in Antalya, Turkey?
Unbelievable. I don’t know how to describe the experience of representing your country for a world championship. It’s definitely a dream come true, and it was truly incredible.
You’ve played courses all over the world and the USA. What’s been your favorite course to play in the world? In the USA?
(Laughs) That’s an impossible question. I’ve played too many. I really like to play a course in Madrid called Puerta Hierro (Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro). In the U.S., I really like North Carolina’s course (UNC Finley Golf Course).
Do you have any plans to turn professional after your time at Auburn is over, in the U.S. or Europe?
I’m going to try both either way, but I really want to make it here. I really want to play the LPGA qualifiers and try to be pro.
Golf is a quiet sport that doesn’t allow cheering, loud noises or excessive distractions. How can students who come to matches show their support for the golf team?
We barely play any tournaments here, but we are hosting regionals this year. It would be great if a lot of Auburn people were watching. I’m not saying to stay for 18 holes, I’ll admit that it can get boring… if you come to watch the nine last holes, especially if we’re leading, go there and applaud. Just be there, because we barely see people at tournaments.
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