Youth Associations

AAU Athlete Individual Membership Application

Attention High School Golfers: If you are interested in being posted on our website, please contact Jennifer Richardson at 955-4465.

 

Youth Testimonials

Marty Sanchez

1. Age: 16

2. If graduating, are you going to college? If so, what college? I'm currently a sophomore at St. Michael's High School.

3. When and where did you learn how to play golf? I started playing at about age 4 or 5 and grew up playing at Marty.

4. Who taught you how to play golf? My dad and my grandpa taught me how to play.

5. Who is your favorite role model? Why? My Dad and Mom, they work hard for me to attend St. Mike's. When I become a parent, I want to be just like them.

6. How many years have you played at Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe (MSL)? All of my golfing life (12 yrs.).

7. What is your favorite memory playing at MSL? My first hole in one, on hole #1 on the Great 28.

8. What is the biggest challenge at MSL? Making a PAR on hole #4 and #18.

9. What is the biggest challenge playing the game of golf? Not getting down on myself.

10. What brand of clubs do your carry in your bag? Taylor made, Ping, Titleist, Sonartec.

11. What advice do you have for beginner youth golfers? Stay with it, have fun, and don't get mad!

12. Can you provide a golf tip for new golfers: Practice with a purpose.

13. Who is your favorite golfer? Why? Tom Watson because he is a great person, I love how he can still hang with all those young stars plus he never gets angry.

14. What is your favorite golf quote? "How'd you shoot 84?...well I missed a 3 footer on 18 to shoot 83!" Tin Cup

 

Miguel Macias

Age:18

1. If graduating are you going to college? If so what college? I am attending United States Air Force Academy.

2. If so did you receive any college scholarships? One afternoon, eight years ago while walking down the third fairway with my father, I professed my dream to play collegiate golf some day.  That dream has now become reality as I will attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall and compete on the Intercollegiate Golf Team.

3. Who taught you how to play golf? I began playing golf at the age of eight one summer while attending former assistant professional David Nowell's junior clinic at the Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe.  Immediately I was hooked and began accompanying my father, mother, and older sister for rounds on the Great 28 course.

With my father's support, by the time I was nine I began playing in local junior golf tournaments and won my first golf tournament in the 7-9 division of the Sun Country Junior event at the Links de Santa Fe. My early success was only a bonus to my unquenchable thirst for the game.  From that point forward, my summers were filled with junior golf competition around New Mexico and the bordering states, as well as the occasional trip to a National event.  From my grade-school years to present, I have always yearned to get better and can often be found working on my game hitting range balls or seeking the guidance of head professional, Ross Nettles. I have attained my goal through a great deal of work and dedication but certainly I could have not done it without a place such as the Links de Santa Fe where I always feel comfortable and welcome.  I owe a great deal thanks to the wonderful people who I have met and who have supported me throughout the years at this golf course.  I will never forget it and always call it home.

 

Name: Nathan Gruda (not pictured)

1. Age: 18

2. If graduating, are you going to college? If so, what college? I will be attending the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. With some solid tournament finishes this year and a little good fortune, I hope to play for the CSM Ore-digger's--a Division II NCAA team--next fall. 

3. If so, did you receive any college scholarships? The only scholarship I have received so far was from CSM directly.  They are going to give me $12,000 a year though they are unsure exactly who the specific sponsors are going to be at this point. 

3. When and where did you learn how to play golf?   My dad was my first teacher of golf.  He took me to the course on weekends when I was in elementary school and tried to teach me the game.  Since then, I have received much help from Ross Nettles in improving my swing.

4. Who taught you how to play golf? My dad and my teammate, Parker Ashton, and my high school coach, Lee Sanchez has been essential in teaching me and improving my game.

5. Who is your favorite role model? Why? I do not necessarily have a favorite role model but if I were to choose one, it would probably be Phil Mickelson.  He has a great work ethic, an amazing attitude toward the game, and he is not a showboat. 

6. How many years have you played at Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe (MSL)? Marty Sanchez Links has been my home course since the eighth grade (2005). 

7. What is your favorite memory playing at MSL? My favorite memory at Marty was shooting my all-time low score (at the time) to set up my win of the 2008 Men's Club Championship

8. What is the biggest challenge at MSL? I do not think the course has any particular aspect that stands out as more difficult than the next.  The course can be difficult in an assortment of ways.  From the gold tees, distance can be an issue, there are a ton of bunkers to watch out for and the greens are big and allow for many difficult pin positions. 

9. What is the biggest challenge playing the game of golf? The biggest challenge in golf is learning how to be consistent day in and day out in all aspects of the game.  It takes a lot of focus and patience to keep it all together. 

10. What brand of clubs do your carry in your bag?  I carry Titleist Volkey wedges and hybrid, Ping S-57 irons, a Callaway driver, and an Odyssey putter. 

11. What advice do you have for beginner youth golfers? The best advice I could give to beginning kids is never get too frustrated.  Golf will undoubtedly make any beginner angry and impatient, but if you stay persistent and never let your emotions get the best of you, improvements will come.

12. Can you provide a golf tip for new golfers: My biggest swing tip would be to keep your basics solid: good alignment, keep your head still, and keep good tempo.  Without doing these simple things, it is hard to make much other progress. 

13. Who is your favorite golfer? Why? My favorite golfer is Phil Mickelson.  He is a good role model, a genuine family man, he strives for victory, and I have often tried to emulate his game. 

14. What is your favorite golf quote? My favorite golf quote I first heard from my coach: "Swing easy when it's breezy".  As a New Mexican, it is one of the most important lessons in golf.