\"JAvier

“Running such a prestigious club is a real privilege and an honour”

It could be said that Javier Reviriego is a lucky man – that he has been clever enough to be in the right place at the right time. Or, and this is more probable, it could be said that he has the perfect profile to have arrived at the summit of his career in such a short time and at such a young age.

He recently took over as general manager of Valderrama, considered the finest golf course in Continental Europe. This position is going to be hard to top. What other course could he aspire to run?

He studied business administration in the US with a scholarship, and later gained a masters degree in golf course management. For six or seven years he put aside his academic qualifications to work as a golf pro. During this period, he combined competition with coaching at Real Club de Golf de Sotogrande.

“It was then,” he says, “that I had the opportunity of moving to Fuerteventura as manager. It was a relatively new course and I have to say I really enjoyed my first experience as a manager. “From there, and after a rigorous selection process, they offered my a job at Finca Cortesín. That was six years ago now. It really was there where I was able to develop the business training I had acquired before, and much more that I learned working with a magnificent team who I appreciate a lot. Both the company and the employees gave me great deal. I’m grateful for the six years they shared with me.”

–And from Cortesín directly to Valderrama… quite a meteoric career?

–Yes, because I’m fairly young. I’m 37 and I don’t have the same experience as someone of 60. It’s clear that my work at Finca Cortesín was noted and rated highly, for the new committee at Valderrama to consider offering me the job. They valued the work I did there positively, as well as my experience and association with Sotogrande going back several years. We could say that I had the good fortune to offer the profile they were seeking.

-Your experience could be considered unique, to have reached the summit in such a short time, running the most iconic club in Spain…

–I consider it to be a privilege. I’ve worked at Real Club de Golf de Sotogrande and at Finca Cortesín, two superb clubs, and now I’m at Valderrama, a club that – taking into account its history and what it represents for European golf – could be considered the highpoint of a golf club manager’s career. It’s a very important step for me and I’m very proud to be working here. It’s an enormous privilege to be running a club like this.

–It’s a new era at Valderrama, with a new president…

–The new committee took over in April and it has very clear objectives for the future of Valderrama. I’m very clear what we need to do to fulfil those objectives. Valderrama must always be associated with quality; and Valderrama, if possible and the appropriate conditions apply, should host a major tournament every year. Our efforts will be focused on these two basic ideas.

–What other objectives will the committee be prioritising in this new era?

–Above all else we intend to modernise the business structure, in reference to procedures, Valderrama’s image and improved service. My concept of service, which I was able to develop at Finca Cortesín, is very similar to that offered at the top American courses, and that’s the idea I have for this club. We already have the best course and the best maintenance, and my objective is to also have the best service, for both members and visitors.

–In reference to maintenance, which has given the course such a prestigious reputation, we imagine this will continue…

–Certainly. We have to maintain the level of maintenance we have at the moment and, if possible, improve it.

–Are any major renovations or changes planned for the club?

–Major renovations, no. There are plans to improve the clubhouse, which is now quite a few years old, and will require an investment over the next few years to bring it up to date.

–The course is also hosting the Andalucía Valderrama Masters this year. Will the event continue?

–I hope so. We have sponsorship from Turismo Andaluz and a great venue. We have all the requisites to hold a great event, and even improve it in the future.

–Will there be any changes from last year?

–We will be hosting the Andalucía Valderrama Masters under different conditions than in 2010. We won’t be taking part in the organisation or promotion of the event. I’ll be on the tournament management committee but not as promoter or organiser, only representing the venue.

–What expectations do you have for this year’s tournament?

–I’ve only been in the job for a short time and I can’t answer that question with complete knowledge of the subject. What I do know is that the state-owned company Turismo y Deporte Andaluz has been working on this for a long time and, logically, expectations will be high for a tournament offering three million euros in prizemoney.

It’s a great tournament and the last European Tour event played in Europe in the final weeks of the Race to Dubai, so we expect the top players to be competing. It’s well known they all like coming to Valderrama to beat the course, which by the way has once again just been elected the best in Continental Europe. Last year’s event had a magnificent field and this edition will, without a doubt, be just as good, if not better.

 

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