As Osasuna’s goalkeeper, Juantxo Elía (Pamplona, 1979) He reached a final of the Copa del Rey and participated in the historic first classification of the Redtical Club for the Champions League. After retiring he discovered the golf, a sport that caught him to such an extent … that today looks professional player handicap. He was going to be the best soccer player in Spain playing golf, and demonstrated it last year after the creation of the I Spanish Golf Cup for soccer players, a tournament that tries to respond to the growing interest of that sector for this sport and that is limited to players and former players of First and Second Division. Now he prepares to defend his crown in the second edition (May 27 and 28, Golf Santander) against a more numerous rivals group.
“How did you start in golf?”
“It was in my last year of professional footballer.” He played in Murcia and lived in an urbanization with golf course. I started to give some balls and noticed that I had some ease. It served me to disconnect. From there, I got hooked and I couldn’t stop.
“And how was the process until you get to the level you have now?”
“It has been a wonderful, although demanding process. I have had to train a lot and suffer the frustration generated by golf. It is a sport that demands a lot of discipline, and for whom we have been competitive it is great. It is a cure of humility, because it puts you in your place quickly and the day you do not get things home you wishing to return to improve. He agreed at a time when I felt a great vacuum when leaving football. Golf saved me from that complicated transition stage.
“Are there things about your stage in football that has served you at the beginning of a new sport?”
“Yes, especially in my goalkeeper post, which is very lonely and with a great psychological component.” Many mental aspects that I worked as an goalkeeper applied them in golf, because you are alone, the pressure is high and the margin of error is minimal.
“And vice versa.” Did you have to unlearn anything?
“It’s a good question.” In football you are 90 minutes at 100% intensity and concentration. When I started playing golf, I went out with that same intensity, but in hole 9 I was already mentally cast and the entire second round was still missing. I learned to regulate concentration: to be to the maximum when I touched the blow and disconnect the rest of the time to dose energy.
—The last year, the Spanish Golf Cup for soccer players is created and a door is opened against those who were in his day companions and rivals on the grass. What was found?
“First, a spectacular, very friendly and eager human team.” The atmosphere was also great: former players, active players … all with the same passion. It was an incredible organization, a very good field and competition colleagues who were actually friends. It was an unforgettable experience. And, in addition, I left champion, so everything went perfect.
“Have you played with a footballer who can take away that label of best footballer playing golf?”
“There are level, yes.” Some have started less time ago, so they are at another point, but there is Paco Jémez, who plays very well. There are also excommunications that did not go to that edition and that are very good. The bar is high, so you have to get well prepared to defend the title.
“Do you go to the naked eye to which players will golf yourself well?”
-Yeah. The players have a very trained physique, coordination and mentality, so it is a matter of putting hours. You’ll see who will end up playing well.
“What is your strong point?” Where do the hole beat the hole?
“I don’t stand out in something concrete.” I defend myself well from the exit, I have a decent distance, around Green me, and with the putt I also have some skill. I am a fairly complete player, without a star area, but compliment in everything.
“And something that is attracted to you?”
– There are delicate blows around Green that require more technique, especially when you need height and a lot of precision. That’s where you have to be fine.
“Routines in the field?”
“You have a back injury, so I need to stay in motion so as not to cool.” I look like swings through the field. Mentally work deep breaths to calm anxiety and I focus on the present, without thinking about the previous blow or the future. Only in executing that blow well.
“Do you remember any special moment of your golphistic life?”
“The first time you do the pair of the field is not forgotten.” When you are high handicap it is a big achievement. I also remember two laps of -10. Three years ago I introduced myself to the Alps Tour school in Italy, a classification to be professional. It was exciting because I agreed with players from all over Europe, most of them very young, and I was excited to be there.
“Have you ever thought about what would have happened if this sport had arrived before?”
-Many times. What I feel for the golf and the passion that generates me, football never gave it to me with such intensity. If I had hooked on football, I would have had an even better career. Golf has absorbed me completely. It has entered me to the core.
“Some golf whim, how to play on St Andrews?”
“I have traveled for tournaments, but I haven’t made a trip of that style.” Of course, I am capricious with the material: I change the irons if I see something that I like.
“What can golf benefit from active players?”
“Golf demands concentration, but at the same time it avoids you from other pressures.” A footballer supports a lot of tension and with the golf you disconnect completely. In addition, the fields are usually in natural, calm environments, which helps load batteries.
—The fashion for golf grows among soccer players. I even make goal celebrations.
“I didn’t see him, but I know Saul celebrated one doing a swing.” For many players it is highly recommended by that mental disconnection that gives you.
