Marta Figueras-Doty: “You have to believe in mathematics” | Sports

The pioneer of Spanish women’s golf was unable to play Solheim. Marta Figueras Dutti (Madrid, 65 years old) is living these days with heightened emotions from the great duel between Europe and the United States hosted by the Finca Cortesin (Málaga) between Friday and Sunday. This is the first time that the World Cup of Golf has been held in Spain, and Figueras Dutti, president of the Ladies European Tour (LET), the European women’s circuit, and one of the few Spaniards to hold a key management position in…

The pioneer of Spanish women’s golf was unable to play Solheim. Marta Figueras Dutti (Madrid, 65 years old) is living these days with heightened emotions from the great duel between Europe and the United States hosted by the Finca Cortesin (Málaga) between Friday and Sunday. This is the first time the World Cup of Golf has been held in Spain, and Figueras Dutti, president of the Ladies European Tour (LET), the European women’s circuit, and one of the few Spaniards to hold a senior management position in international sport, reflects on the experience. The long struggle that led to this goal. She was the first Spaniard to receive an athletic scholarship in the United States and the first Spaniard to play on the American circuit and win the Hawaiian Open in 1994. She lived for 23 years in the United States, and was an Olympic coach at the 2016 Games. And vice-captain of Team Solheim in 2017. Today, as she does Always, she raises her voice against the elitist bias of those who belittle golf and its sporting and economic importance for Spain, criticizing the lack of investment and justifying the role of golf. slim.

I ask. What does hosting Solheim mean for Spain?

Answer. It is the most important tournament in the world of women’s golf. It’s pride. It has a huge media, economic and sporting influence. It’s very, very important. Solheim is very difficult to host. In the United States, all countries are fighting it, and in Europe, many countries are fighting it.

s. How do you see the duel?

R. On paper, the Americans are usually always better, according to the world rankings, but I think we are very equal this year or better than them. Then the players switch. The duel will be very difficult and close. They should all show their best.

s. Historically, has the United States amassed more stars, and has Europe been closer to the team?

R. Yes always. In Europe, we are used to playing team, regional, regional and inter-club tournaments, something that is never played in the United States. The nature of the American player, and the American athlete in general, is very competitive and very individual. Many are looking out for themselves. It’s an advantage that Europe has always had. Team spirit has always been stronger in the European team than in the American team. And in Colorado in 2013, when he won the European Championship for the first time on American soil, it was precisely for this reason. Captain America told me that there is no union, and that everyone fights for themselves. This is essential.

s. Item to beat Solheim?

R. The relationship between players and support. Obviously showing good play. In four matches Quad And fourballsEither you are connected to your partner or they can participate. A lot of aggression and a lot of passion to win.

s. What do you expect from the Spanish audience?

R. Lots of noise and lots of screaming. As We Are, loud, passionate and intense. We don’t stop screaming. This would encourage the European team.

s. Personally, what does this Solheim represent?

R. I have all kinds of emotions. Many times I thought we wouldn’t get it. We have negotiated and overcome many challenges. Lashkar-e-Taiba has played a very important role, and I personally said this with pride and love. It will be one of the best experiences everyone can have playing at Finca Cortesín.

s. What’s so special about Carlota Ciganda, the only Spaniard in the European team?

R. The power and energy he conveys, whether he’s playing or not, is brutal. She is a leader without a doubt. She has always been in amateur teams and since she started playing with Solheim she is very passionate and gives very positive energy. He has a brutal game. Intimidation. It does not shrink with anything. You can face any situation that can overcome you.

s. Is a Spanish woman close to winning a major title?

R. Yes, with Carlota Ciganda, or Azahara Muñoz… Every week is a fight. I’ve always seen him nearby.

s. What does women’s golf need to continue to grow?

R. There should be more support for women’s sports, specifically golf. Not approving or requesting any financial assistance from the government for an event like Solheim seems crazy to me. 93 million is requested for Ryder in 2031 and has not even been given, and for Solheim, with what this contributes and its ramifications, the fact that there is no public aid is very sad. I’ll start there. I believe we must believe in female athletes, and in our case golf, in what they offer this country both athletically and economically. If people don’t want to realize it, it’s because they turn around. I would change a lot.

s. Is there still an elitist bias around golf?

R. I don’t think so anymore. I have improved a lot since my time. There are public playgrounds and access to golf is huge. It’s a question of women’s sport in itself. I repeat that golf provides enormous resources for Spain. There are great golfers and there are not great aids. This is very sad. If we were elitist, we wouldn’t produce as many good golfers.

s. How do you see the moment of change in society regarding the role of women in sports?

R. I’m tired of fighting for this cause, although I will continue to do so. It is not easy and will not be easy to change the cultural aspect that one has in mind, not only in Spain, but all over the world. It is difficult to obtain sponsorship for female athletes in all sports on the European continent. This is the situation. We must keep fighting and declare ourselves. The average or intermediate golfer has more fun playing golf with a female professional than playing golf with another man. Because they learn more about the game, because women have more fun when they have to spend five hours on the field… This whole path to becoming known as women takes time. More importance must be given to athletes than federation presidents.

s. In an interview with El Pais newspaper in 2019, she said there was a “fear of giving power to women” in Spain. Is this still the case?

R. Completely. There are hardly any women who head the federations. They are afraid to give power to women, of course. It is a cultural issue supported by the male world. I am confident that it will continue to change.

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