Although in the chronicles he always appears as a player from Cadiz, Mario Galiano is from Malaga, from a small hamlet in the municipality of Casares called El Secadero, very close to the Guadiaro area, a breeding ground for many great golfers.
With an impressive sporting resume, Mario, trained at Club La Cañada, has jumped even further into the limelight by becoming the first Spaniard to conclude the season as number one in the European Amateur Ranking. The title was the best culmination of his brilliant career in 2014, with two individual victories, gold medal in the Absolute European Team Championship, runner-up in the Spanish Absolute Championship, second in the Sotogrande Cup, champion with the European team in the Europe – Asia/Pacific Match, bronze medal in the World Team Championship.
In November he won for the fourth consecutive time the Puerta de Hierro National Cup, held in La Cañada and scoring for the world ranking. Galiano emulated a milestone that no one had achieved since the Marqués de Cabriñana in the early 1950s.
-How do you feel about being the first Spaniard to become the number one amateur in Europe?
-I was very happy, because I did not expect it. It’s a great joy to win that medal, given the level there is in Europe.
-After your successful career as an amateur, topped off this year with magnificent results and the culmination of the European number one, how do you envision your future in this sport?
-With more desire than ever to continue improving and winning titles. And if they are as a professional in a few years, so much the better.
-What do you remember most fondly from your early years of golf training at the Municipal School of La Cañada and your time at the Blume National School?
-At La Cañada I remember all those classes with my friends, matches, etc. The coaches were and are incredible, and thanks to them and the club I am what I am. From the Blume I only have words of thanks for everything they give me, which is a lot… they have formed me as a golfer and a person. I thank them for everything.
-In order to reach your very high competitive level, it is necessary to make many sacrifices. What has been or is the most difficult thing to cope with in this regard?
-Being away from the family, no doubt. It’s a big change and you have to know how to handle it well.
-Do you consider any other option to make a living other than golf in case you don’t make it as a professional? What would you like to do for a living?
-Well, I don’t think about any other option: I have it very clear and I know that, if I give it my all, in the end I will be able to dedicate myself to this, which is what I want and that is what I work for.
-What is it about the Guadiaro area, very close to your village, El Secadero, that, being so small, it is the cradle of so many good golfers?
-In that environment you breathe a different air, you only see golf courses and there are a lot of fans: that’s the key.
-What do you think about your club, La Cañada, being chosen to host the first Specialized Center for Golf Sport Technification in Andalusia?
-Well, the truth is that it is a fantastic idea and what better than doing it in La Cañada. They will bring out good golfers, for sure. It is the ideal place for it.
-What do you think are the keys to becoming a great golfer?
-Be hardworking and never give up. You have to fight for what you want, and that’s why I have no doubt that I will dedicate myself to golf.
-Do you think Tiger’s reign is definitely over and McIlroy has become his successor, or can Woods still come roaring back?
-Tiger has not yet stopped being what he is. I think McIlroy is going to be his successor, but he is not going to reach what he has achieved. He will be close… Tiger is for me the best in history and I think he will win one or two more majors.
Leave a Reply