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University of North Carolina Athletics
Q & A with Tar Heel Golfer Martin Ureta
November 5, 2004 | Men's Golf
Nov. 5, 2004
Sophomore Martin Ureta of the North Carolina Men's golf team took some time to sit down with TarHeelBlue.com this week to answer a few questions. Ureta, a native of Santiago, Chile, has finished in the top ten in four of the five tournaments that Tar Heels have played in this fall. He was the individual medalist at this year's Duke Golf Classic and also finished as the runner-up at the Franklin Street Partners Invitational, held at Finley Golf Course.
When did you start playing golf? Have you played other sports?
"I was born on a golf course. As soon as I could pick up a club I started playing. I've played all my life. I always played tennis and soccer as a kid. I also ran track. My family is pretty big into sports. We've got a ranch at home and we play polo there. So, we're pretty big into sports.
How long have you lived in the States?
"I moved when I was 15, so this is my fifth year in the States. I lived in Tampa for three years. I did my sophomore, junior and senior year of high school there."
Why did you choose Carolina?
"I didn't know much about Carolina. To be honest I didn't know much about schools in the states. I'm from Chile and it's a third world country. You don't hear about this stuff. When I moved, my father and I started looking at schools with a good reputation and boom, you see Carolina right there. It's up there with the best. It's actually the only official visit that I did out of a possible five. I came in during and ice storm and it was awful. My coach thought that there was no way that I would come here. But, coach here played on tour and has a lot of experience. There are just so many things that make this a good school to come to."
What's your favorite place to eat in Chapel Hill?
"I.P. III and El Rodeo are both good places."
Where do you see yourself in five years?
"I'd love to play professional golf. That's my goal. But, first of all I've got to finish here. Everything you start in life you have to finish it off. I committed to come here and I'm going to stick here for another three or four years or whatever it takes me to graduate. Then, my main goal is to play on tours. Hopefully in five years I'll be on tour. I know it will be hard, but that's my goal."
How do plan on achieving that goal? What will you concentrate on to get there?
"Having the coaches that we have here helps me prepare for the future. There's always room for improvement in your short game. That plays a major role in professional golf. I just have to work on my short game. I also need to spend more time in the gym getting more fit and getting my back stronger. That will give me a little more yardage I think."
What's your favorite golf course in the States? What about in Chile?
"We played the Old North State Club for the ACC. That was sweet. It was very nice. I'd have to say my favorite course is Pinehurst number two because you've got the history there. Winning the North-South there has been by far my biggest accomplishment. In Chile my favorite course is Rocas de Santo Domingo. It's a nice course by the coast where I played in a tournament."
Outside of golf, what do you like to do?
"I'm a very religious person. I make sure I go to church all the time. I go to the Newman center. I'd like to be more active there. But, I really don't have too much time because of golf. I also have a serious girlfriend and I like spending time with her. I enjoy working out too. But, I've also got to make sure I'm all caught up with school work."
Do you have any superstitions?
"No, you know I don't. It's weird because we all do. Maybe I should. I don't know. I'm just very religious. I just pray a lot."
What kind of music to you listen to?
"I'm into all kinds of music. From Spanish music to Outkast to George Strait, Tim McGraw and some country music, I listen to it all. I'll listen to techno sometimes too. I like everything."
What's one piece of advice you would give to average golfers to help them improve their game?
"Practice your short game. That's always something that can be improved."
How does playing golf competitively effect your enjoyment of the game?
"Obviously I started up playing because I liked it. But you get to a point where it becomes more of a job when you have the talent to compete at a higher level. There's a pressure for performance. But, you still have to have the same motivation as when you started. You've got to play because you like it. For me, the more tournaments I play the more fun I have. I'd much rather go and play in a tournament that go out and practice. I still really enjoy the game and enjoy competing even more."
What's the team chemistry like in on a golf team?
We all get along very well this year. There's no doubt in my mind that we'll come out even stronger this spring. I expect for us to win an ACC championship and an NCAA title because we have the talent to do that. But, as far as leadership and chemistry go. It's a family. Athletes have an advantage coming into school. You come to school knowing people. You know you're going to have friends and a family of coaches and players to rely on. You have to keep the chemistry there for there to be leaders on the team and for there to be respect for one another. I think this year's team has a lot of that and it will help us this spring.
