Italian amateur golfer Erika De Martini is ready to return to the LET Access Series in Czech Republic, where she entered her first professional event back in 2019.
The psychology student from Cassina, Italy had a stellar season last year with a top-10 finish at the Flumserberg Ladies Open in Switzerland.
With less than one week to go until the LETAS 2021 season kicks off, we caught up with Erika to find out about her goals for this season, plans for the future, some encouragement for those who would like to play on LETAS and more.
How did you start playing golf?
My father has always played golf, and since I was five or six years old, he brought me to the golf course every week. I would only hit three, four balls a day, then I got bored, but at the age of 12, my current coach made me get a handicap. I started learning golf in Saturnia Golf Club in Tuscany and at the age of 14, it all began and since that moment, I never stopped playing golf. It is my favorite sport now.
What are your goals for this season?
My main goal for the season is to play as many LETAS events and gain as much experience as possible and to turn professional as soon as is possible in this moment.
How did you find out about LET Access Series?
My dad told me about it a few years ago, and I said ‘yeah, okay, I can play in a tournament’. So, I played in Prague in 2019 at the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge and it was a very nice place for my first professional tournament. I was very excited!
Are there any events you are particularly looking forward to this year on LETAS?
I’m looking forward to the Czech Ladies Challenge in Prague. I also want to play in Rome, Italy and I played the Flumserberg Ladies Open last year, so I want to do it again, as well as the Lavaux Ladies Open if I can enter.
How was your experience at the Flumserberg Ladies Open last year?
It was great to play there and very constructive to be able to compare myself with professional players at the age of only 19 years old. I am proud that I finished tied for 10th. That was very exciting, and it gave me more confidence.
How much have you learnt from playing at those events on LETAS?
I learned that even one shot can make a lot of difference and I am really thankful that I got the opportunity to compete. I learned from other players that the attitude of a golfer is the most important thing, and I am trying to make sure that I also have got the right attitude.
The LET has got a tournament in Italy this week for the first time in seven years. How good is that?
You can see that there is a tournament now in Italy that if I progress, I will be able to be part of that. It is good to see that the Ladies European Tour and LETAS have this event, so I can look forward to it in the future, I can be like ’I want to do that’.
Did you have any golf heroes growing up or anyone that you look up to? What would be your ideal fourball?
Michelle Wie and Jordan Spieth. I like their game, their approach, attitude, and all of that. In a fourball I would love to play with Jordan Spieth for sure, then Dustin Johnson and my father.
What do you like to do when you are not playing golf?
When I am not playing golf, I like to listen to music a lot because it helps me relax. I also study psychology at university, so I always keep myself busy.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I would like to be playing at the LET in the future or become a golf coach. I do not teach golf to anyone now but in the future, I would like to pass on my skills and experience.
How important do you think LETAS is for helping develop young people’s careers?
I think it is important to help us learn how to play golf on a professional level, including traveling to different tournaments, and to learn about the real spirit of the game.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to play on LETAS?
I would say that it is a beautiful thing to play with professional golfers and an opportunity that one should take if possible. Take it because it is very exciting to play here.
