From the beaches of San Sebastian, Spain, to the fairways of El Paso, Texas, freshman Blanca Yrizar is halfway through her first year on the University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP), women’s Golf team.
Growing up in an athletic family, Yrizar says that she and her two siblings were always encouraged to stay active. Both her father and uncle coached tennis, while nearly everyone on her mother’s side played golf.
“My parents were both very athletic. They’ve always pushed the three of us to play lots of sports. They need to see us doing something.” Yrizar said.
After spending years practicing sports like tennis and surfing, Yrizar added that constant tension from being coached by family members in tennis would eventually push her towards golf, where she could develop more independently.
“I’ve always surfed during the summers and winters, and then I always played tennis, because my dad played tennis and my uncle is still a coach right now, but I just didn’t like having my dad as a coach,” Yrizar said. “On my mom’s side, everybody plays golf, so I feel like I’ve always been playing golf and tennis.”
By the time she was ready to enter colleg,e Yrizar learned about UTEP through another Spanish player who she played with a year prior and was officially introduced to the program after head coach Steve Sims reached out to her.
“I didn’t know that UTEP existed. That same evening, Coach Sims texted me. The next day, I saw Marta, and I started asking her questions. I wanted to come to UTEP,” Yrizar said.
Since arriving in El Paso, Yrizar said adjusting to life on her own has been one of the biggest challenges. Living on campus meant learning everyday tasks like cooking, doing her laundry and ensuring she woke up early enough for her 5:30 a.m. workouts.
“I thought it was going to be harder, honestly. Back home, I would always be surrounded by my parents. It’s been very different,” Yrizar said. “With my teammates, I feel like I’m not the only one. Honestly, I didn’t even have time to be homesick, because we were always practicing, traveling and everything.”
On the course, Yrizar has quickly made an impact in her first collegiate season. Competing in nearly every tournament across the 2025-2026, earning consistent spots in the lineup. Her performances included an eighth-place finish at the West Texas Classic and a third-place finish at the Ozarks National Invitational in Missouri where she remained competitive despite difficult decisions.
Coming from a family of athletes, freshman Blanca Yrizar’s parents pushed her into playing sports, leading to her eventually finding her love for golf.
“I placed third the last tournament, and I was eighth, I think, two tournaments ago. It was very windy, and the last day, it was a bit harder, but I played very good. The field wasn’t the hardest one, but I still did a good job for that way,” Yrizar said.
Another adjustment and highlight for Yrizar has been her playing as part of a team rather than individually.
“Back home we would always practice by ourselves. So, practicing here every single day, with the other girls, I was excited. I was looking forward to that,” Yrizar said.
As the season continues, Yrizar said she’s optimistic and looking forward to their next tournament, in Maricopa, Arizona. And after contributing to a team victory in the BGSU Women’s intercollegiate event earlier in the season, Yrizar has her sights set on earning her first individual college win.
“Winning a tournament would be very cool right now. This last tournament I ended up third without playing very, very good the last day. I hit lots of greens the last day, but I didn’t make pots, so I think I was very close,” Yrizar said.
With several strong finishes under her belt and a full season ahead, Yrizar continues to build momentum as she adjusts to college competition and a life in a new country.
Jewel Ocampo is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected]