Winner of two World Team Cups (one of them also as an individual), the 1985 Ryder Cup, nine European Tour tournaments and five Spanish Championships, Manuel Piñero is one of the icons of Spanish and international golf. His sporting and human category has attracted the attention of the new property of La Reserva de Sotogrande and both parties have reached an agreement for the prestigious player to join the great project that has already begun to be forged to make this already prestigious club one of the most exclusive and important resorts in Europe.
When they contact me to ask me to join the project,” says the Spanish professional, “they tell me that they want me to feel that this club is my home, and also to try to give it the idea of what I think an elite and high standing club should be.
“I will contribute,” he continues, “all my experience to make it a club of reference not only in Spain, but throughout Europe and the world. We have what it takes and everything we need to make it a top-level club. And above all for all the people who have their home and family here and those who visit us to feel comfortable and relaxed and enjoy this club. My goal is that someday the people who are carrying out this project will feel proud of having achieved something special.
This course has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best on the Costa del Sol and throughout Spain. What can you tell us about it from your perspective as a professional golfer?
-It is undoubtedly a magnificent golf course, first class, as well as the clubhouse and all the services it offers. I will try to contribute my experience to achieve that excellence, which is the goal that all of us involved in this project agree on. From my knowledge, I will try to improve what I think can be improved. The maintenance of the course is very good; people with new ideas have come in and the improvement in this aspect has been very noticeable. And as for the course, we are going to make some small touches -not too much in depth because we have a good base- to improve the few things that can be improved, in my concept of what a first level course is.
What kind of touch-ups are planned?
-On some holes, for example, that are excessively demanding from the tee, we will try to make them easier, because we cannot forget that, although we can make a great competition here, this is a course for the enjoyment of our customers. The idea is that the course should not be excessively demanding or a pain from tee to green: a pleasant, friendly and fun course for people. And that’s going to be my approach: to make it an affordable course for most players to enjoy.
-There are substantial investments planned to make this club one of the most emblematic in Europe. A huge lake is even going to be built for the practice of water sports. What will this ‘new’ Sotogrande Reserve be like?
-It is going to become something that has not been done so far on the Costa del Sol. In this area we have resorts of many categories, but there is really none that is as complete as this one, with a golf course and a clubhouse of this category, such a privileged location near the sea, such a beautiful natural environment, and when the investments are completed it will be even better and more exclusive, with water sports, with an equestrian center that is going to be the best, with spas… a complete club like there is not on the Coast.
-It seems that your sporting background is going to have a prominent presence at the club….
-Yes, something is being prepared, with all my sporting life, photographs, trophies…. It’s a nice idea, a great honor for me because I also believe that in Spain there is nothing similar dedicated to a professional.
Leave a Reply