Alicante returns to the forefront as host of the Spanish Junior Championship
From October 9 to 12, the Spanish Autonomous Federations Championship (FFAA) in the Junior category takes center stage in Alicante. The Valencia National Team aims to repeat its medal success from previous years. Last year the event was hosted at Real Club de Golf de La Coruña, where the Valencian Community Golf Federation finished with a bronze after topping the qualifying rounds. This year, the Alenda Golf Club in Monforte del Cid stands ready to stage the regional program and could see the FGCV team clinch a tenth consecutive medal on home soil.
Two Alicante competitors, Martina Navarro and Raúl Gómez, lead the local squad, joined by the Castellonense talent John Miró. They represented the region at last year’s competition on Galician soil, where the team earned bronze after beating Madrid in the contest for third place. They will now guide their teammates toward the podium. In the previous edition, Catalonia took the win with the Canary Islands as the runners-up. Yet the Valencian players showcased strong performances that suggested more could be achieved. The squad also includes Patricia Bañón, Clara Usó, Fernando Cobo, and Miguel Fuertes, all part of the group that has trained under the guidance of Noemí Guevara, FGCV coach who has made significant progress in the federation’s development programs based at the Elche Public Golf School
Alicante on the world golf stage
The Valencia National Team arrives at the event in strong form, reflecting the steady, pragmatic work of the federation. The visible results are evident in every tournament where regional representatives compete. The team consistently performs at the highest level in national championships and in international events such as the category’s unofficial World Cup, recently contested in Evian. There Martina Navarro and Raúl Gómez represented the Spanish Golf Team and played pivotal roles (FGCV).
If the discussion turns to standout individuals and team composition, Patricia Bañón is entering Alicante after winning the U-14 Ranking. Clara Usó earned the Spain qualifying spot for Kids Play with Navarro close behind. On the junior side, Raúl Gómez topped the National Children’s Ranking S14 and the Valencia Ranking, securing second place in the national children’s standings. Juan Miró arrives as the Youth Champion of the Valencian Community. Not to be overlooked are Fernando Cobo, who placed second in the same competition, and Miguel Fuertes, who won the Copa de Jóvenes and earned a top-three finish in the FGCV U-14 Rankings. These athletes form a core group with potential to influence the outcome in Alicante
The event takes place at the thoughtfully designed Alenda Golf Club, a course laid out by Roland Favrat with reverence for the landscape and existing flora, avoiding disruptive earthwork during construction. Completed in October 1999, the venue spans 49 hectares with 18 holes of par 72, a length of 6,257 meters, and an excellent practice facility. The site features a full training ground with 25 mats, bunkers, two greens, and a Hole 19 pitch and putt. It provides a welcoming setting for beginners and seasoned players alike, offering a comprehensive practice and competition environment at the highest standard.
As Alicante prepares to host, spectators can expect a display of young talent that transcends regional pride. The junior championship serves as a proving ground for future national stars, with many players already showing signs of promise for Europe and beyond. The event reinforces the region’s commitment to golf development, with clubs and schools aligned to nurture skill, strategy, and sportsmanship among the rising generation. The atmosphere is set for intense competition, strategic play, and a showcase of the pathway from coaching to competition to national representation, all anchored by the Alenda venue and the dedication of the local federation