He is above all passionate about golf, more than a sport, a philosophy of life that has permeated for many years the existence of this veterinarian who decided to pursue a Master in Business Management in order to manage a golf course that had been built by a company owned by his family. More than two decades have passed since then and he is still as enthusiastic about golf as the first day.
Ignacio Iturbe Escolano, a man who oozes joy and positivity from every pore, directs one of the two 18-hole clubs east of the capital of Malaga, Baviera Golf. It is a flat course characterized by its wide greens and with many movements, a great diversity of obstacles that offers a variety of strokes and an ideal design for all handicap levels. The variation of the holes and the unbeatable views, both to the Mediterranean and to the mountains that protect the course from the north winds, contribute to enjoy even more the sports day. The same is true of the clubhouse, which has a restaurant, sauna, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, caddy master, pro-shop and nursery service, among other things.
-Baviera Golf is located near the border between the provinces of Malaga and Granada. What are the advantages of being the easternmost course on the Costa del Sol?
-The microclimate of the subtropical zone is one of the attractions of this area – hence the cultivation of mangoes and avocados – as well as the low population density and the proximity to Malaga and its international airport.
-And the disadvantages?
-Not being a golf destination, there are several projects to be developed, that golf clients, coming an average of seven to ten days, can change courses, as they do in other places on the Costa del Sol.
-What are usually the best memories of a golfer when he finishes his round on this course?
-The services we provide; not only that Baviera Golf is in perfect condition, but also changing rooms with sauna and jacuzzi, great pro-shop, a first class restaurant with local products, very professional staff, etc., which make us one of the preferred ones in terms of quality/price ratio.
Apart from an 18-hole course, what other facilities and services does your club have?
We are preparing new medical services for warm-up and muscle problems, as well as the gym, paddle courts, and other alternative experiences.
-According to most of the managers of golf clubs in Costa del Sol, the courses in the area have been experiencing significant increases in occupancy for some years now. Can we totally forget about the crisis that affected us so much a few years ago?
-Forgetting, never. It is important to keep it in mind, but it is true that there is a general growth in tourism -with a national record- and in our segment, and that we are recovering percentages lost in past years, but always remembering that we hit bottom very recently, together with the VAT increase, which produced a very decimated operating account.
-Could there be any positive lessons for golf to be learned from that long lean period?
-Periods, in general, tend to be cyclical and we must always be on the lookout for signs that give us time to react; they are experiences that make us mature.
-You have extensive experience in dealing with golf tourists. What are the main motivations for golfers to choose one golf destination over another?
-We -Costa del Sol in particular and Andalusia in general- are a mature destination, highly appreciated by clients, and leaders for certain outbound markets. To talk about golf with the climate and services of our destination is to talk about 5 stars, we know our customers well and what they demand from us to meet their needs.
-On what pillars do you think the promotion of a leading golf tourism destination such as the Costa del Sol should be based?
In seeking emerging markets, as is already being done with the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation and Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol, without neglecting the already consolidated; improve infrastructure, and break the seasonality of hotels that close in the middle of the golf season.
-There is a lot of talk about the need to innovate in order to attract new people to golf, especially the younger ones. Do you have any input in this regard?
-It is very important to “sow” in order to grow in players in the near future. That is why the Children’s, Youth and other committees of the Federation are opening lines in schools, making this sport known, with offers at golf courses for adults to come with the younger ones, encouraging golf schools … but without forgetting the adults, where the Women’s, Senior and Men’s committees continue to add day by day.
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