The event is from 19 to 22 June at the spectacular Cadiz course of La Hacienda Links Golf Resort. Pau Gasol will make the best shot of his life against childhood obesity alongside, among others, Rafa Nadal. The NBA legend, of our sport and one of the best ambassadors of the Spain brand, will bring together several of the greatest in sport in a charity tournament to raise awareness and funds in the fight against one of the main scourges of today’s society. It will be the Gasol Foundation Golf Invitational.
Pau Gasol reúne a grandes del deporte en un torneo solidario por la obesidad infantil
On the occasion of this beautiful initiative, Gasol has dedicated a few minutes of his time to speak with Ten Golf about his passion for golf and to raise awareness of the importance of passing on healthy habits to future generations. For a better world. We have a serious problem, and it needs to be addressed. Pau shows himself as he was on the basketball court, taking responsibility, not avoiding any questions, precise, lethal, and entertaining. It was a spectacle to watch him play, and it is also a spectacle to listen to him now in his battle against childhood obesity.
There are many noble and significant causes in which one can get involved and help. Someone with your stature could really have chosen any and would be a luxury ambassador, at what point did you decide that your cause was childhood obesity and why, is there a specific story behind it, a study, the experience of someone very close?
Gasol: I grew up in a family very connected to the health field —my mother was a doctor and my father a nurse— and I have played basketball and other sports since I was young. All of this made me grow up surrounded by healthy habits, something I firmly believe in and am convinced can transform people’s lives.
Together with my brother Marc, we became increasingly aware that childhood obesity was becoming a growing problem. We felt that, as athletes, we had the responsibility to act. We had both previously collaborated with non-profit organizations dedicated to children, and upon observing the alarming obesity figures both in the United States and Spain, we decided to respond to this issue that endangers the health of children worldwide.
“I firmly believe that healthy habits can transform people’s lives”
This is how the Gasol Foundation was born, with the aim of reducing childhood obesity rates and providing the youngest with the necessary tools to grow up healthily. Our main motivation was concern for the future of new generations and the firm desire to contribute effectively to change. The foundation also reflects our enthusiasm for giving back to society everything it has given us.
Why do you think it is so difficult to raise awareness, especially in Spain, that childhood obesity is a serious problem that we all need to tackle?
Gasol: It is quite paradoxical because, although childhood obesity figures continue to rise, we still encounter many social barriers that hinder awareness of this issue.
From the Gasol Foundation, we recently conducted a study to understand the perception and beliefs about childhood obesity in Spain. The results were very revealing: although one in three children is overweight and we are well aware of the serious consequences this entails, 24% of the population does not consider childhood obesity a serious problem associated with childhood.
The study also highlighted a widespread lack of knowledge about the true extent of this silent pandemic. Additionally, it revealed that many people attribute the primary responsibility for preventing obesity to the family and friends of the children, which contradicts scientific evidence, which points to the significant influence of social and structural determinants: inequalities, discrimination, public policies, environments that promote or hinder healthy lifestyles, etc.
All of this demonstrates how important it is to continue working to inform, raise awareness, and generate social consciousness. Childhood obesity is not an individual or family problem: it is a collective challenge that we must face together.
“It is paradoxical, although one in three children is overweight and we are well aware of the serious consequences this entails, 24% of the population in Spain does not consider childhood obesity a serious problem associated with childhood”
Where do you think we need to focus more: improving diet or giving more importance to daily and regulated exercise?
Gasol: I believe both factors are important and very interconnected. One cannot be understood without the other, and they must go hand in hand. Both are fundamental pillars of health and well-being. But, in addition, from the Gasol Foundation, based on scientific evidence, we add two more equally important pillars: sleep hours and quality and emotional well-being.
Promoting healthy habits around these four pillars is key to ensuring the full development of children, and it is the line in which we work from the foundation to contribute to their present and future well-being.
“The four pillars of healthy habits are diet, exercise, sleep hours and quality, and emotional well-being”
Are you concerned about the impact that social media can have, where right now practically anyone uploads a food recipe claiming it is the panacea, healthy, nutritious… and it is not always so, should this type of content be controlled from a legal point of view?
Gasol: Without a doubt. Social media has a lot of influence on our lives, especially on the younger ones. And, although well-used, they can be a great tool to raise awareness and spread good practices, they can also promote unhealthy habits. It is important that we all make an effort to convey a critical spirit to the youth so that they can distinguish what is healthy from what is not. Transparency and regulation are fundamental; in this case, the regulation of advertising of unhealthy food and drink products —much of which is disseminated through social media— is an essential public policy that must be implemented in Spain.
“It is important that we all make an effort to convey a critical spirit to the youth so that they can distinguish what is healthy from what is not on social media”
Why a golf tournament to raise awareness of this cause and raise money? What do you think it can contribute?
Gasol: Firstly, because golf is a wonderful sport that I am very fond of. It is a sport that allows you to disconnect, converse, and create community. One of the things I like most is its ability to bring people together in a relaxed environment, where there is space to talk, reflect, generate commitment, and build relationships that transcend sports.
A charity golf tournament seemed to us the perfect way to bring together many people from very different fields and use it to raise awareness and at the same time raise funds to continue advancing in the research and initiatives we promote from the Gasol Foundation. In addition, it is an opportunity to seek new allies, such as companies and collaborators, who can get involved in our cause.
“A charity golf tournament seemed to us the perfect way to bring together many people from very different fields and use it to raise awareness and at the same time raise funds to continue advancing in the research and initiatives we promote from the Gasol Foundation”
Are you aware that if Rafa Nadal doesn’t win, you might have a problem? (asked jokingly because of how competitive Rafa is, who doesn’t want to lose even at marbles)
Gasol: (Laughs) Without a doubt, Rafa is very competitive, but many of the other participants are too, so the tournament will surely be very close. But beyond the results, the important thing is to enjoy the experience and the positive impact we can generate, regardless of who wins.
“Rafa is very competitive, but many of the other participants are too, so the tournament will surely be very close”
Why did golf appear in your life, who introduced it to you, and why do you think it hooked you so much and so soon, what does it offer you?
Gasol: My relationship with golf began after my retirement from professional basketball. It helped me disconnect and stay mentally and physically active. I quickly realized that this sport has something special. It is a constant personal challenge and a combination of concentration, technique, and patience. I really like the idea that it is a sport one can enjoy throughout life.
“I quickly realized that golf has something special. It is a constant personal challenge and a combination of concentration, technique, and patience”
What is the best golf shot you have ever made in your life, the one you keep telling your friends about and brings out your best smile?
Gasol: I would say it was the third shot on a par 5, which I made on a course called Tehama, located in Carmel Valley, California. It’s not a shot I often talk about, but I think it was very good because it was possibly one of the first eagles I made in my life. It was a third shot on a green that was very elevated, and when I hit the shot, it seemed good to me, although I later thought it might have gone a bit long. We were looking for the ball for a couple of minutes past the green, and since we couldn’t find it, it seemed strange. Then I approached to check the hole to see if it was there, and there was the ball, inside the hole. It was a great shot that ended with a good result. And, although I didn’t see it go in, it was one of my first eagles in my golfing career.
“I would say my best shot so far has been the third on a par 5 that I made on a course called Tehama, located in Carmel Valley, California”
In the end, you are also very competitive, although it’s not the same as when you were a professional basketball player, is there someone you have a score to settle with on the golf course, a friend you are especially eager to beat?
Gasol: It’s not so much a score to settle, but like any competitor, there’s always some friendly rivalry. I enjoy playing with close friends, and, of course, we’re always looking to improve and see who has the edge on the course.
What do you think is equivalent in golf to a last-second basket to win a title? What could be the correlation?
Gasol: It’s a difficult question because they are very different sports in which you compete differently. I suppose the closest thing would be a final putt to win a tournament. The feelings in both situations are similar, and it is when the preparation and mental strength of each person become most crucial.
“I suppose the closest thing to a last-second basket to win a title would be a final putt to win a tournament”
Is there someone you would particularly like to play a round of golf with and haven’t yet?
Gasol: I am very eager to play a round with Carlota Ciganda, our best Spanish golfer. I would really like to meet her.
“I am very eager to play a round with Carlota Ciganda, our best Spanish golfer”
Would you like to play, even as a one-off experience, as Stephen Curry did, a professional tournament on the DP World Tour? (Curry did it on the Korn Ferry)
Gasol: For that, I would have to keep improving to be at Stephen Curry’s level. I remember he told me a story about once playing with Sam Ryder, a current PGA Tour professional; that first day they played paired, and Curry had a better round than Sam Ryder, who was on his way to becoming a professional. To achieve that, you have to be at a very high level. If one day I were at that level, of course, I would like to, but I started playing just 5 years ago, and although I am improving, I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go.
“Of course, I would like to play a DP World Tour tournament someday, but I started playing just 5 years ago, and although I am improving, I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go”
In golf, they always say there is room for improvement in all areas, but if you had a magic wand, what would you like to improve immediately?
Gasol: I would like to improve my long game, to be more consistent and gain a bit more distance and accuracy. The short game is my strongest point, but if you are in a better position from the tee or with the longer clubs, the game becomes much easier. You can attack more, play shorter clubs on second shots, and be in a better position. So, if the long game could go long and straight off the tee more often, it would be wonderful.
What did you think of Rory McIlroy’s victory at the Masters, and who is the player you like the most from those you see on television, the one that transmits the most to you as a fan?
Gasol: First of all, I would like to congratulate Rory on that long-awaited victory and for completing the Grand Slam with the win at Augusta. It was truly impressive to see how he achieved that victory, especially on that final day, where he had many ups and downs, but after each moment of adversity, he managed to overcome and achieve something that is historic. I am happy for him because it is something very special.
As for the players I like to watch the most, they are Spanish players like Jon Rahm, Sergio García, David Puig, who are on the Liv Tour, and also all the players we have on the DP World Tour. I also like to watch those who are rising, and we see more and more players at the highest international and global level.
Obviously, it is always a pleasure to watch the best players in the world: Scottie Scheffler, who is number 1, Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Ludvig Åberg… And I also have a preference for European players like Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose… They are great players who are a joy to watch, not only to see them play golf but also to compete and see how, in the end, the mental factor is crucial for all those at the top.
What did you think of Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf, did it surprise you, do you understand it, do you think it has been beneficial or detrimental to his career?
It is not for me to make judgments about each person’s professional decisions. Jon Rahm is a great player and continues to demonstrate it in this new stage, competing at the highest level.
Lastly: if you had a magic lamp and tomorrow a specific and punctual measure could be carried out to reduce childhood obesity rates, what should it be in your opinion?
If I had a magic lamp, I would undoubtedly decide to eliminate social inequalities in health and for society to be much more equal and homogeneous. I believe it is one of the main causes of obesity and other issues affecting the well-being of children.
However, since we don’t have any magic lamp, being realistic and thinking about what we can actually carry out, I believe the most important and urgent measure is the strong regulation of advertising of unhealthy products aimed at children.
“If I had a magic lamp, I would undoubtedly decide to eliminate social inequalities in health and for society to be much more equal and homogeneous”
The advertising of unhealthy food and drinks has a particularly negative impact on children, who are more vulnerable from a cognitive point of view to this type of stimulus. These ads are designed to emotionally connect with this profile and influence their choices.
Moreover, in recent years, the digital environment —through social media, video games, or mobile applications— has become one of the main channels of exposure in a covert or poorly regulated manner.
“The most important and urgent measure against childhood obesity is the strong regulation of advertising of unhealthy products aimed at children”
A couple of years ago, at the Gasol Foundation, we conducted a study that revealed very worrying data: 8 out of 10 children aged 8 to 16 are exposed to advertising of unhealthy products, and this exposure is directly associated with more frequent consumption of these products.
For all these reasons, it is essential to protect children’s rights by regulating these impacts, and this should be a priority above any commercial interest.
