He sank his final putt of the day, signed his card, posed for photographers with the winning cheque, answered questions from journalists, ate something quickly then got into his car to head to his other day job.
José Luis Gross combines his main profession as a dentist in Málaga with a passion for golf that encouraged him this year to try his fortune on The Gecko Tour. The 37-year-old didn’t have to wait long to realise his dream. In a rain-affected third leg of the tour that was reduced from 36 to 18 holes, he carded a 67 to beat second-placed Norwegian Anders Kristiansen and Englishman Clarke Lutton by three shots, with European Challenge Tour champion Mark Tullo another stroke back.
“I think this is the happiest day of my life,” said the new champion, who began playing golf as a youngster and by 19 years of age was handicap 0.6. It was then decision time. “I wasn’t studying and I didn’t play golf well enough to turn professional, and in Málaga at that time it was impossible to combine the two. So I decided to study, put the clubs away and didn’t play for 12 years. Five years ago I returned to the game, caught the bug again and decided that if I could get down to handicap +1 I would turn pro. I managed that and joined the professional ranks a year and a half ago.”
His family were not convinced but he persevered. “Whenever I said I was going off to work to play golf they would tease me. Except for my son César, who is five years old and always says I’m the best and I’m going to win. He’s the best motivator I have.”
Apart from The Gecko Tour, Gross also plans to compete in the Alps Tour qualifier and, in the longer term, he has set himself the challenge of playing on the Senior Tour. “I think that would be really nice when I turn 50. I’m very keen and I’m going to go for it. I wouldn’t have won on The Gecko if I hadn’t decided to go for it. I know it’s not easy. It’s tough because everyone plays very well, but I’m going to try. I’ve even taken up pilates to improve my physical condition,” he joked.
