Ander Egiluz Beramendi, USA.- Late last year, he won the World Championship and, a few weeks ago, he made fifth at a PGA tournament (Professional Golfers’ Association), becoming the first amateur to accomplish that feat, since 2008.
-In American universities is very common to get a scholarship for being an athlete. Is that why you decided to go to Arizona?
Yes, I came here because I was offered a scholarship. In the US they care for athletes a lot. And golfwise, the future is here. Everything is much more evolved and there are more opportunities to participate in tournaments while attending school. In the Basque Country, it would be impossible to get a degree while competing in so many tournaments.
-In fact, even though you study in Tempe, you almost spend more time in tournaments than in college. How many competitions do you play a year?
Yes, it’s true, we spent a lot of time in tournaments. We participate in around fifteen tournaments a year, of which just four are in the first semester. The second semester is crazy busy, it’s a non-stop until summer and you hardly even notice what is going on, and you miss a lot of classes.
-How do professors take it?
In general they take it alright. Since it is part of the university program, they have to help you, moving test dates, e.g., and coaches also understand when you cannot train because you have to attend a class. Here, if you don’t keep a certain level of grades you don’t compete for six months. And we only have four years. Also, you have to acknowledge that they gave you a scholarship, so you have to be responsible both as a student and as a player.
-You’re studying communication, why did you choose that degree?
Because I found it interesting. We study sociology, theory of communication, conflict and negotiation, we learn to speak in public... And many companies need people with communication skills.
-But what you dream about is a career as a professional golfer. Is it possible?
Yes, and I proved it to myself a few weeks ago, making fifth at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The last amateur who finished among the ten or five best at a PGA tournament did it in 2008. It’s not very common.
-And, if that was not enough, you are also the world champion.
Yes, I competed as part of the Spanish team. There were 74 countries and the three best players of each country playing. As a team we got the bronze medal and, individually, I got the golden medal.
-As an athlete, you’re growing very fast. Do you sometimes look back and think of your early days?
I do, especially lately, because I’m playing at a much higher level than many of those who started with me and I flip out. But then, I think that I have to keep on studying, because if I don’t get good grades I don't play golf. And that’s something good about American universities. In Europe we could learn a lot from this. I hate to say it, but there are not just a couple of athletes that are not very intelligent…
-Could that be because golf is not as popular a sport as it is American football in the US, for example?
Well, in the US very few athletes turn into professionals before going to college. I can think of Kobe Bryant, and just a few more.
-The idea of being an elitist sport still hangs over golf. Do you also see that?
There are still too many people who believe it's a sport for rich kids, and it was, but in the early twentieth Century. Before, it was something for the rich, but today it’s available to everyone. At the club of Eduardo Celles, in Derio (Bizkaia, Basque Country), you can have a class for 20 euros ($22.4). And there are also public courses, not all of them are private. And on top of that, a lot of those more popular sports, so to speak, are expensive: surfer’s wetsuits, skiing, and even soccer cleets. Golf is not as expensive as people think and it’s much more fun than many think. Although it does require a big effort. And it’s a shame that, nowadays, we do not have someone like (Txema) Olazabal, who attracted people to the sport.
-It looks like you could become that next benchmark of golf in Euskadi.
I’d love to. And today, it’s easier for people to know what I do thanks to social media. If I win a Masters, people will know about it ten times faster than before.
-It is always difficult to be recognized in your land, especially when it comes to sports that are not that popular. What’s your experience on that?
Relatives and friends always know what I do but, in general, I would say people don’t know about it. Although, since the last PGA tournament, some radio and TV stations have covered my games. Also in Barrika, people start to know about what I do. Actually, I’ve been told they would like me to be the herald at the town’s fiestas.
-And what’s your experience in the golf circles?
In all the tournaments I participate there is always someone that tells me something. Also, since I participate with the colors of the university, people identify with me. Colleges and universities in America are like Athletic Club for the people from Bilbao: they feel proud of their colors.
-What would you like to achieve, in a short-medium term?
I’d like to win the National University League, the British Amateur and the US Amateur. Those are, at the moment, the top three Amateur tournaments. Two years ago, as a rookie, I was in first position at the National League, so I think that might be the easiest one to win. The other two are feasible too, but winning the three of them in the next two years is going to be tough.
-And it will require a lot of work. When do you find time to go visit your family?
I go (to visit my family) a lot. In gabonas (Christmas), I spend almost a whole month there and, in summer, I go there right after the last tournament finishes, until college starts.
-And what makes you most excited?
In addition to seeing my family and friends, the food. It’s a typical thing to say, but it’s true. I always have the first meal with aitite and amama (grandpa and grandma). And what I like the most is the saddled hake. Not being able to go to San Mames (the Athletic Club stadium) makes me sad, before, I used to go to every game.
-There is an important Basque community in America. Do you have any relationship with them?
Not really, but I encourage them to contact me via Facebook and to come see me play whenever they want.
Contact Jon Rahm on Facebook: Here.
Check Jon Rahm’s upcoming tournament participations: Here.
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