Born the day after a golf course opened next door (Real GC de San Sebastian) where grandfather was greenskeeper. Mother and father also worked there. When grandfather died, Jose's father, Gaspar, took his place as greenskeeper. Father received a club to cut down and Jose, at age 2, used it to hit balls. Mother would take him out on golf course late in the afternoon starting at age 6.

Sometimes called "Chemma," a short way to say Jose Maria in Spanish.

Won the British Boys, Youths and Amateur titles–the latter beating Colin Montgomerie in the final.