José Manuel Lara: Architect of Andorra's Golf Rise

José Manuel Lara, the Spanish-born coach of Andorra's national golf team, has become a key figure in the country's growing golf scene since moving to the parish four years ago.

Born in Valencia in 1977, the former professional golfer now leads the national squad while also hosting *Lara Academy*, a golf programme on Movistar Plus. He works closely with the Ordino technical development team, training young players on Tuesday afternoons, and serves as the promoter of the Aravell Andorra Golf Open, an annual event organised by Creand Crèdit Andorrà for the past four years.

Lara's tenure has brought notable success, including a historic silver medal for the national team at the 2025 European Championships in Bulgaria. Based at Aravell Golf Andorra in nearby Lleida, he emphasises high-quality equipment—comparing his golf clubs to Formula 1 cars—and shares practical insights, such as the mud-stained shoes he wears on the course.

In a 2024 interview with Spain's *Marca* newspaper, Lara reflected on his extensive travels to more than 70 countries. He praised Andorra for teaching him to appreciate clean mountain air and tranquillity, values he overlooked before settling there in 2020. Off the course, the coach enjoys good food and quality time with his wife, whom he describes as the most important person in his life. A regular collaborator with golf personality Chacho Rodríguez on his TV show, Lara remains committed to elevating Andorran golf through dedicated training and international competition.