The formula to overcome the crisis does not seem difficult: a lot of work and a good dose of illusion. This is what the gentleman, José Luis Gómez, managing director of one of the best known clubs on the Costa del Sol, La Quinta Golf & Country Club, maintains.
1 -Assuming the management of a golf club in the current times and not in times of economic prosperity like those of a few years ago, what additional challenges does it imply?
-The truth is that the challenge is important. Before, clients were knocking on the door and now we have to work hard to achieve adequate levels of income and expenses without affecting the quality that the client receives. I don’t think that golf clubs are an exception when it comes to facing this crisis and obviously moving forward is a challenge in itself, everything has changed and we have to manage in a very professional way and I think it is significantly different to what has been done so far.
2 -What are the main strengths of La Quinta compared to the competition?
Impulsively I would say that it is the excellent condition of the course and especially the well-known fame of our greens or the great and varied facilities we have; Hotel Melia La Quinta, Spa, Golf Academy, paddle tennis courts … etc, but what really makes the difference is the incredible team that makes our course one of the most recommended by the players themselves.
3 -And those of the Costa Rican countryside in general compared to those of competing tourist destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean area?
-The fact that we have so many courses concentrated in an area like ours is very positive and if we add to this the climate we have and the complementary offer, it makes the Costa del Sol a very attractive destination. Nor should we overlook the fact that, unfortunately, the turbulent events in the eastern Mediterranean will cause part of this tourism to choose our country as a destination thanks to our stability.
4 La Quinta has already hosted two Senior European Tour tournaments and a third is scheduled for October. How do you think these high-level competitions affect the image of your club?
-The celebration of this type of event is a great internal audit of your entire structure and the fact that the European circuit chooses you to hold an event means that things are being done well and what is more important, you enter into a process of continuous improvement. This year we have changed the entire irrigation system and modified part of the C course to make it more attractive if possible.
In addition to this event, in September we will hold the Open de España Femenino, a European Ladies Tour event, who have chosen our course to hold this tournament and that makes us feel doubly proud.
5 -La Quinta International School was one of the pioneers in its category on the Costa del Sol. Now that many schools of its kind have proliferated, does it have any characteristic that distinguishes it from the others?
-In addition to the fact that the swing analysis facilities have just been remodeled and improvements are being made to the practice areas, the main difference with the others is that it has the direction and advice of world champion Manuel Piñero, and that is difficult to match.
6 -Are we starting to notice a recovery in the golf course in Costa del Sol in terms of tee times, which contributes to the optimism of the sector?
-The beginning of the year has been very hard and only in the last few weeks there is a little more optimism, the forecasts are increasingly difficult and you can not make many projections as reservations are made without much notice, but we must think positive and above all work to recover our destination as a quality destination and not just think in volume.
7 -What would you do to promote the arrival of more golfers to Andalusia if you were a high political position with competences in the matter?
-In addition to obviously making a good management of resources and planning a communication and marketing strategy consistent over time regardless of the party that governs, improve infrastructure, such as the famous coastal train that we expect so much and above all I think the key is to make our community a safe place because this variable is becoming more important every day when choosing the vacation destination.
8 -From what you talk to golfers who visit your club, what do they usually appreciate most about this tourist destination, apart from the golf, of course?
-In addition to being able to play in short sleeves with a great sun in winter, when in their countries it is below zero in some cases, the gastronomy and the extroverted attitude of the people in the area.
9 -Can you tell me a joke – even a bad one – about golfers?
-A man and his friend are playing golf. The friend, who has a small dog with him, has a 6-foot putt and puts it in, the dog starts clapping his front paws.
“That dog is a wonder what does he do if you miss the putt?
“Do cartwheels,” replies the friend.
And how many does it give?
“Well, it depends on how hard I kick him.”
La Quinta Golf Marbella website
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