Valencian golfer José Manuel Lara shares memories of his successful career in the podcast Living Oliva Nova.
Golfer José Manuel Lara was one of the latest guests to appear before the cameras for the podcast Living Oliva Nova, presented by Pablo Borho, the Sales and Marketing Director of the CHG Group. The Valencian golfer is one of the most famous faces in Spain in this sport, presenting a golf programme on a well-known audiovisual platform for seven seasons. José Manuel Lara and Pablo Borho shared some holes on the resort’s course designed by Severiano Ballesteros, during which time they commented on matters related to the sport, as well as memories of Lara’s sporting past.
For the golfer and presenter, the Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort’s course is not unfamiliar to him, since it was the scene of his victory in the Peugeot Oliva Nova tournament in 2001, although as he himself admitted during the chat, the course has changed “a lot and in a positive way, with a route where one can make out the contours of the holes much better” and thanks to the introduction of new features such as Toptracer software on the practice range. At this point, the conversation between Borho and Lara began, with the latter beginning the day of golf with a 58 iron to tee off the practice set by the software that provides endless possibilities for enthusiasts of golf, a sport that is one of the resort’s hallmarks. As Pablo Borho explained to Lara, Oliva Nova has “three peak golf seasons: spring, which is popular with many Scandinavian players; summer, predominantly with holiday-makers; and finally autumn, the season usually preferred by visitors from the United Kingdom.”
Despite the years that have gone by since his victory in 2001, Lara recalled specific aspects of the resort’s course, such as the difficulties posed by the different gusty winds depending on the location of the different holes.
MOVING TO THE SMALL SCREEN
In front of the cameras of the podcast Living Oliva Nova, the Valencian golfer recalled his shift to television, a transition that began when he announced his retirement from the professional circuit: “When I stopped competing,” he explains, “I got a call from the platform’s sports director and I thought it was the right time to approach golf from a different perspective.”
Lara himself admits that the process was not easy, since his “past had been on the other side of television, as a golf professional competing at the highest level in front of the cameras and surrounded by an audience. There’s a long way to go before you become comfortable looking directly into a television camera.” Even so, José Manuel Lara has successfully made the transition, as the show he presents has been on the air for seven seasons with more than 270 programmes under his belt.
A DIFFERENT SCENARIO
José Manuel Lara reminded Pablo Borho of the changes that have taken place in the world of golf since his time as a professional; an evolution that has affected both the competitors and the game itself. “Around the year 2000, there was a big change,” he explains, “as both the materials and the players’ physical preparation improved, and they began to hit the ball much harder. In 2012 there was another significant change with an improvement in the balls, and today’s players take care of both their physical form and their diet. They are true athletes.”
Lara points out that nowadays players not only have greater physical strength and better equipment at their disposal, but they also “take care of their mental preparation, which is a key factor when taking on the most prestigious competitions.” Lara pointed to Josele Ballester, winner of the US Open in the amateur category, as one of the most promising young Spanish players.
The Valencian golfer considers himself a “classic” player, with an influence on the game marked by the Malaga-born Miguel Ángel Jiménez, winner of four Ryder Cups, and he took advantage of his participation in the podcast to announce his intention to return to the senior circuit in a couple of years, aiming to compete in two majors, probably the British and US Opens.
Lara bid farewell to Pablo Borho with the line-up of players for his dream match, which included two golf legends, Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros, as well as the basketball player and lover of this sport, Michael Jordan.
JOSÉ MANUEL LARA’S SPORTS CAREER
Born in Valencia in 1977.
25 victories on the amateur circuit.
On the professional circuit since 1997.
Winner of the Spanish Circuit final in 2001.
Winner of the UBS Hong Kong Open (1996, European Tour).
Winner of the Australian Golf Open (2010, European Tour).
Winner of the Warsaw Golf Open (1998, Challenge Tour).
US Open participant, 2009.
British Open participant, 2010.
SUMMER COURSE
Oliva Nova is considering expanding its golf initiation training through August with a course aimed at children aged between 7 and 15 years old. This would follow José Manuel Lara’s philosophy and teaching method. It would take place over one week, with 22 hours of practice, split into two groups of pupils depending on their level.
Living Oliva Nova is a podcast in which Pablo Borho (CHG Corporate Marketing Director) has a relaxed chat with “inspiring voices.” Guests have included prestigious professionals and athletes such as Chema Martínez, José Bordalás, Quique Barella, Pablo Andújar and José Manuel Lara.
See the episode starring José Manuel Lara by scanning the QR code.
