“WE ARE ONE OF EUROPE’S FLAGSHIP RESORTS”

He is relatively young but – as they used to say years ago – well prepared. Although just 33 years old, he has extensive experience in the golf and tourism industries. After completing his studies, he gained a masters in golf course management at the European University in Madrid, and had practical experience working for a top company in the Spanish capital before he was hired for the opening of Monte Rei Golf & Country Club in his Algarve birthplace.

He spent five years there and completed an MBA at the Algarve University. Later he ended up in Dubai, at another top-class resort, The Els Club, where he remained the past three years before joining the team at Finca Cortesín as golf manager.

- What impression did you have of this complex on your arrival?

- The first impression was very good and positive. I was already familiar with Finca Cortesín as a client and someone in the golf industry, because when I was at Monte Rei we had a close relationship with Finca Cortesín. I’ve always liked the resort, and when I had the opportunity to come here the decision was a very easy one for me to make.

- So it responds well to your expectations?

- Yes, completely. For me it’s very important to continue my career involved with quality products, as I have done so far, and Finca Cortesín is a standard-bearer in the Spanish golf industry, and also at a European level.

- What aspects of the resort and course would you highlight?

- The first that comes to mind is the attention to detail, the quality that the resort oozes. From your arrival to entering the clubhouse or hotel you can see a lot of care has been taken in choosing the elements that make up the resort. The clubhouse is very cosy and has a pro shop where we can offer our clients and members the finest brands and products. The hotel is now one of the best in Europe and, without a doubt, in Spain. As a resort, Finca Cortesín offers a mature product, of a very high quality, where everything is perfectly integrated: the real estate, hotel and, of course, the golf amenities.

- Do you come with any new ideas? Will there be changes at Finca Cortesín or a policy of continuity?

- Finca Cortesín will always be an ongoing product, one of continuity. The work undertaken here right from the start has been very good and well consolidated, as a long-term strategy. Of course, there is always something you can improve, and certainly we will make adjustments to client service, with innovative products that we can offer potential members and clients who visit us to enjoy our golf course.

As I have developed my career in different countries, it’s coherent to always arrive with new ideas but, as I say, it will be little by little, following the path outlined by the owners, which has been shown to be correct and successful for our business model.

In the short term we will try to boost the quality and the number of rounds played, as well as the number of members, taking advantage of the fact that the golf industry in our region is on a rising curve, obviously always maintaining – and, if possible, increasing – the levels of quality and service we offer our members and clients.

- In this respect, what are the expectations for 2015?

- The perspectives are good for the moment. The number of bookings is higher than in 2014, which was a very positive year. I believe this is the same for other courses, not just this one, but bearing in mind what the average price of a round is here at Finca Cortesín this increase in the number of rounds will be very important, and will help ensure 2015 is once again a very positive year from a financial point of view.

- Various editions of the Volvo World Match Play Championship were held here. Are there plans to once again host an event of this kind, or the same one?

- At the moment there is nothing definite, although the owners are working on it. Finca Cortesín is a resort that, bearing in mind its recent history, is always going to be alert to any opportunities offered by the European Tour. We are always studying the possibilities of once again hosting a top-level tournament.

- You have worked in the golf industry outside Spain. What image does Finca Cortesín have overseas?

- Finca Cortesín actually enjoys very significant recognition outside Spain. This recognition and prestige can be attributed to many factors, such as the importance of hosting a major international tournament, but the most important thing is to have a solid base of day-to-day quality and a very well defined strategic vision for the future in order to position our product in markets that are of interest to us. The Finca Cortesín brand is now well established, and this not only benefits our resort but also the whole golf and tourism industry in this region.

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