As it has for 33 years, TPC Scottsdale hosted the Waste Management Phoenix Open PGA golf tournament February 7-13. Minority Golf Magazine caught up with Abraham Ancer after he completed the ProAm on Wednesday, February 9th.
MG: “Thank you for taking a few minutes to talk. Tell me what you like about TPC.”
ANCER: “I enjoy playing here. The course is always in excellent condition. It suits my golf game. (I believe that) I have an excellent chance of doing well this week.”
MG: “Do you prefer courses in Texas instead of the courses in the East or the West (parts of the country)?”
ANCER: “(I have) no preference. I enjoy challenging, exciting golf.”
MG: “Where were you born and where did you grow up?’
ANCER: “I was born in Texas and grew up in Reynosa, Mexico. It seems like I’ve been playing golf all of my life.” NOTE: Ancer was born in McAllen, TX and his family then moved to Mexico. He now holds dual citizenship in Mexico and the U.S. and Ancer plays under the Mexican flag. ANCER: “A lot of people ask me, ‘Hey, why do you play for Mexico? I grew up in Mexico until I was 15. That’s all I knew. All my family is from there. All my friends know I’m very Mexican.”
ANCER: “I will play the Genesis, then take two weeks off. I will skip the Honda and the Arnold Palmer tournaments but then play in the Players Championship.”
MG: “(For the record) Minority Golf Magazine is committed to providing media coverage to/about players of color who are not normally covered by mainstream media. I know you don’t have much time now. May we continue (talking) at the Players (Championship) where we can spend more time?”
ANCER: “…I look forward to it.”