You can call it the Amundi Evian Junior Cup, a benchmark contest in world youth golf and a widely recognized junior world championship. It stands as the ideal stage for the sport’s rising talents, with competitors from the United States, Japan, and beyond stepping onto the field without hesitation. In 2022, the top four finishers in the U-14 National Women’s and Men’s Rankings earned invitations to this prestigious event held at the Evian Golf Resort in France, where Spain was represented, and two members of the national team joined the action in Alicante, namely Martina Navarro from Alenda Golf Club and Raúl Gómez from Benidorm Golf Club.
Valencia Community Golf Federation has a bright outlook, with Martina Navarro and Raúl Gómez earning places in the U-14 2022 National Women’s and Men’s Qualifying Championship. Their success earned them a call to France for the World event. Both athletes trained at the Elche Municipal School Technical Center under the guidance of the Federation, and they, along with Nagore Martínez from Catalonia and Arian Rodríguez from Almería, form a promising quartet managed by the Youth Technical Committee. Their selection came through merit and consistent performance during the season, not by chance.
The Elche Golf School has earned a reputation as a factory of champions, consistently feeding talented players into national programs.
The Amundi Evian Juniors Cup celebrates its fifteenth edition this season and remains a focal point on the youth calendar. There is noticeable optimism about the Spanish team’s effort and growth within the structure of the national federation. The event emphasizes responsibility, teamwork, and ambition, with Spain often among the most enthusiastic supporters of the tournament. Leadership for the Spanish contingent is held by the Youth Technical Committee president, a role supported by committee members and coaches who guide the young players. The four young golfers—Navarro, Gómez, Martínez, and Rodríguez—bring an impressive track record for their ages and are aiming for a potential third Spanish victory in one of the sport’s most appealing team formats. The United States has historically claimed the most titles in this event by a wide margin but has faced strong, growing competition over the past few years.
The competition features a field of fourteen teams, each composed of four players under fifteen, who travel from different parts of the world. The format includes three rounds of eighteen holes, played in a team environment that blends individual performance with collective strategy. Players compete for personal achievement while contributing to their team’s overall score in what is known as the shooting game format. All participants strive to balance precision with stamina across the demanding course settings.
Spain has already secured two victories at Evian, with historical successes illustrating the country’s strong tradition in the event. One triumph came in 2008 through a team effort featuring a notable national federation competitor, and another notable moment arrived in 2016 when a Spanish player earned a silver medal, underscoring the depth of talent across regions. These past results continue to inspire the current generation as they prepare to challenge for future podium finishes at Evian.