By Matt Smith
Young golfer Julia Sanchez is the latest amateur to be handed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play alongside some of the best female players in the world.

The Andalusian 16-year-old has been invited to compete at next week’s Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series event in her hometown of Sotogrande.

Sánchez will compete alongside many of the biggest names in world golf when she takes to the tee at La Reserva Club on Thursday, including the likes of US superstar sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda, three time major-winner Anna Nordqvist and legends of the game Catriona Matthew and Dame Laura Davies.

The teenager, who plays off an impressive handicap of -3.7, has been selected to play as an amateur in the $1million prize-fund event as part of the Aramco Power Up initiative, which aims to support promising amateur female golfers in each of the Series’ tournament locations on their journey to become future stars of the game.

At the Aramco Team Series Sotogrande, Sánchez will play in Thursday and Friday’s team element of the three-day event, where she will be part of a fourball comprised of her and three full-time LET professionals.

The talented teen was runner-up at both the 2021 and 2022 Andalusian International Championships, and was put forward for the Aramco Power Up initiative by La Real Federación Andaluza de Golf. She will also receive valuable one-on-one time with some of the big-name major-winners and Solheim Cup stars competing at La Reserva, allowing her to gain some invaluable tips and guidance.

Julia Sánchez

“This is an amazing opportunity for me and I can’t thank the Aramco Team Series enough,” Sánchez said. “To be only 16 and given this chance to play alongside many of my heroes is something I could only dream of, so I can’t wait and I look forward to learning from the women that I hope to one day emulate.”

Talal Al Marri, Aramco General Manager of Public Affairs, added: “We are thrilled to be able to offer this incredible opportunity to a young golfer with the obvious talent, enthusiasm and drive that Julia so clearly possesses.

“Our support of the Aramco Team Series comes with the single aim of elevating women’s golf as much as we can. Creating opportunities like this through the Aramco Power Up scheme is key to our ambitions, so we are delighted to be backing Julia as she chases her own dreams of competing as a professional golfer.”

Next week’s tournament is the third Aramco Team Series event of the season, after being hosted in both Bangkok and London earlier in the year.

In Bangkok, 17-year-old Pimpisa Sisutham — a member of Thailand’s junior golf programme — was chosen as the first ever Aramco Power Up recipient, receiving a custom club fitting from Titleist and a full year’s access to tournament host course Thai Country Club’s world class facilities.

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