He has already celebrated his silver jubilee as director of one of the most popular and prestigious clubs on the Costa del Sol: Atalaya Golf & Country Club. Andrés Sánchez was born in Belgium, where he lived until, in his twenties, he felt the call of his other homeland (and the Army) and came to Spain to perform his Compulsory Military Service.
Andres Sanchez’s first attempts
He had his first forays into golf working on a Belgian course that had been built on a former landfill site.
After his military training, he was hired by the Hotel Atalaya, then owned by the golf course of the same name, and then worked at the 1992 Universal Exposition in Seville. After a short period of time in which he returned to Belgium, he returned to Spain and was hired again at the Hotel Atalaya for the 97 Ryder Cup. Two years later he began his long career as general manager at Atalaya Golf & Country Club.
Andrés Sánchez interview questions
-Do you think that Atalaya Golf & Country Club, with its two courses, is a reference on the Costa del Sol?
-Yes, I think Atalaya Golf & Country Club has established itself as a benchmark on the Costa del Sol. Its privileged location, the quality of its facilities, the excellent maintenance of both courses -Old Course and New Course- and the customer service make it a highly valued destination for both local and international players. In addition, the club combines tradition and constant modernization, which allows it to remain a reference in a region with a wide range of high-level golf courses.
-Basically, what are the differences between one route and the other?
-Both courses offer different and complementary experiences. The Old Course stands out for its more classic design, wide fairways and mature trees, which makes it very pleasant to play for all types of golfers, although it is still a strategic challenge. It is a flatter and more accessible course, also ideal for tournaments in general.
The New Course, on the other hand, is more modern and technical, with elevation changes, narrower fairways and more demanding greens. It offers spectacular views and represents a greater challenge for more experienced players or those looking for a more competitive game. On this course, the decision was made to change the greens to Bermuda, a hardier variety of grass. This has resulted in greens in very good condition, with a different way of receiving the ball and kicking, offering a different playing experience and more adapted to the current conditions.
-Atalaya Golf & Country Club has members of at least 36 nationalities, does this make it the most international club on the coast?
-Undoubtedly, having members of at least 36 nationalities is a clear reflection of the international character of Atalaya Golf & Country Club. This cultural diversity greatly enriches the social life of the club and makes it a meeting point for golfers from all over the world. Although it is difficult to say with certainty if it is the most international club on the Costa del Sol, we can say that Atalaya is among the most representative in terms of international projection and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
-What advantages does a member of your club have over others on the Costa del Sol?
Membership at Atalaya Golf & Country Club offers a number of advantages that clearly distinguish it from other clubs on the Costa del Sol.
Firstly, the club has two 18-hole golf courses, which allows for greater availability of tee times and variety of play within the same complex.
Members enjoy preferential schedules on both courses, as well as access to interclub tournaments and special prices at numerous courses, both on the Costa del Sol and in various European countries, thanks to collaboration agreements.
In addition, members’ children play for free up to the age of 18, and between the ages of 18 and 23 they can benefit from a very reduced annual subscription, thus encouraging the practice of golf as a family and among young people.
Members also have access to a fully equipped gymnasium, discounts at the restaurant and pro store, and an entire hole set aside exclusively as a training area. The club organizes numerous social events throughout the year, which reinforces the sense of community and the welcoming atmosphere. And probably the best golf academy in Spain, the PG Academy.
All this, together with professional management, a multicultural environment and an unbeatable location between Marbella and Estepona, makes Atalaya one of the most complete and attractive options for those looking for more than just a golf course: a true community.
-Do you plan to continue to invest in improving the facilities and the two routes?
-In recent years, Atalaya Golf & Country Club has made significant improvements to its courses and facilities, and we remain firmly committed to continued investment to enhance the quality and sustainability of the club.
Upcoming projects include the renovation of the green bunkers of the New Course, where a new drainage system and a special rubber cement base will be installed to improve performance in the event of torrential rains, in addition to the application of new sand in all of them.
The complete renovation of the pumping stations of both fields will also be carried out, resulting in energy savings of 10-15%. At the same time, we are creating mulch zones in offside areas, with the aim of reducing the consumption of reclaimed water and maintenance.
In our commitment to sustainability, a second solar park is being built to improve energy efficiency, and we have introduced beehives to promote pollination of new areas replanted with native flora, selected for their low water requirements, thus contributing to a more environmentally friendly environment and adapted to climate change. All these initiatives reinforce Atalaya’s vision as a modern, efficient club committed to quality and the environment.
-The Old Course will soon be 60 years since its inauguration. What, if anything, do you think it needs to maintain its status as one of the best courses on the Costa del Sol?
The Old Course is approaching its 60th anniversary as one of the most emblematic courses on the Costa del Sol and, precisely for this reason, we believe that its legacy must be cared for with a vision for the future.
Although its classic design continues to be highly appreciated, we are convinced that, in order to maintain and reinforce its status among the best courses in the region, it is necessary to evolve without losing its essence.
That is why we have initiated the management of a comprehensive master plan that will set the roadmap for the next 25 years of Atalaya Golf.
This plan includes a series of strategic improvements in design, sustainability, accessibility and playing experience, with the aim of adapting the course to the new demands of modern players, both in terms of sports and the environment. The idea is not to change what works, but to optimize what can be improved, always with respect for the history of the course and its landscape value.
In short, we want the Old Course not only to maintain its reputation, but to continue to be a reference for future generations of golfers.
-For the New Course you also have “a strategic improvement plan”. What does this plan consist of?
-The “strategic improvement plan” for the New Course includes several key actions to optimize the playing experience and sustainability of the course. We will widen buggy paths for comfort, widen Bermuda greens and treat areas affected by weeds to maintain turf quality. In addition, we will resurface fairways with sand and install drainage to improve the entire course.
Green bunkers will be renovated with an advanced drainage system and new sand.
This plan ensures the continuous improvement of the course, promoting sustainability and adapting the course to the needs of modern players.
-How is the season going in terms of occupancy and what are your forecasts until the end of the year?
-The season has been positive, although the rains in February and March forced the courses to close for several days, reducing green fee revenues. However, we are recovering and green fees have increased in recent months.
For the summer, we expect a higher occupancy by national tourism, so we will offer unlimited green fees for two weeks, one month, two months and three months at very competitive prices, allowing you to enjoy our courses at an excellent price.
We remain optimistic for the rest of the year, with increased occupancy in the fall and winter months for Nordic tourism. We are committed to maintaining high quality service and continuing to implement sustainable improvements to make the club more experiential for all.
-Are we reaching a ceiling in terms of the number of departures on the Costa del Sol and do you think we could die of success?
– Demand for golf on the Costa del Sol remains high, but we don’t think we’re reaching a plateau. While it is true that there is a lot of competition for tee times, the region remains a top destination thanks to its great climate, which allows golfers to enjoy their sport all year round.
Instead of “dying of success”, we must focus on adapting to the new demands of golfers, offering new promotions and improved infrastructure, guaranteeing a unique experience and efficiently managing outings to maintain the quality of service.
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