Publicidad lateral Grande
Publicidad lateral Grande
San Roque Club
The San Roque Club, Andalusia, Spain is widely recognised as one of the top golf facilities in Europe and can be found on every golfers wish-list when visiting Southern Spain, especially as it offers two very contrasting golf courses at one venue. The San Roque Club is in the process of renovating all aspects of the facility but in particular the well renowned Old Course. This renovation will reaffirm its position amongst Europe’s must play courses.
Since opening in 1990 the club has hosted many prestigious golf events, including the Spanish Open in 2005 and 2006, the European Tour School from 1995-2007 and was the accommodation of choice for both the European and American Ryder Cup teams in 1997. With such heritage, it is easy to see why the new owners, Thorncroft, were eager to not only acquire the club earlier in 2019, but also invest significantly in its future.
Who Is Thorncroft?
Thorncroft is a fully owned subsidiary of a Russian based mutual fund with focus on hospitality, residential and sport related development projects. It is a partner of Marriot and other reputable companies and service providers. Thorncroft have employed Golf Estate to operate and manage the project.
Who are Golf Estate?
Golf Estate are a golf management and consulting company who manage and operate several top-quality golf courses in Russia and the person in charge of the project representing Golf estate is Stephen Dundas. Stephen is a former British amateur champion who has played in the US Masters and British Open. Stephen has vast experience in the golf industry having worked in Scotland, England, America, Qatar, Spain and Russia.
What are the main objectives?
During its prime the club had more than 550 members and it is the aim to reach similar figures again. With a marketing plan already under way the club has already sold two phases of memberships since August 2019 and we are now on Phase three. There will be a total of 7 phases. As each phase sells out the price of the consequent one will obviously increase. The target is to sell another 100 memberships before the re-opening in November 2020.
To achieve this we have to create a “gate to gate” experience that will rival anything in Europe. This means that everything must be of the highest quality. From your welcome by the caddy master, to your post round meal at the Clubhouse, from the conditioning of the course, to the comfort of the locker rooms. «All of these factors will contribute to the golfer having a wonderful golfing experience,” insists, Stephen Dundas.
Providing this experience will not be at the cost of the environment. “A key emphasis and driving force of this entire renovation project is the environment”, affirms John Clarkin, MD of Turfgrass, Project Manager for the Golf Course renovation. “By reducing the turf maintenance area by 18 hectares and replacing it with Mulch, this translates into 35% less water usage, up to 30% less fuel and as a result this will allow The San Roque team to focus on the finer details of making the course play and look its very best”.
What improvements are being made?
The redevelopment project includes a state of the art irrigation and drainage system, a new bunker system as well as new tees, fairways, roughs and greens. While the existing design and the general routing of the course will not change, the aim of all these improvements is to create a golf course and experience that will be enjoyable and memorable for all golfers. In short, the course is being elevated into the 21st century. The company responsible for overseeing and project management of the construction is Turfgrass.
Who are Turfgrass?
Established in 1997, Turfgrass Consultancy Ltd. is a leading golf course development company specializing in project management and agronomy. Having worked on over 250 golf projects throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, North and South America. A summary of their client list includes Wentworth Club, Host of the BMW PGA Championship, Golf Club de Genève – Host of The ROLEX Trophy, Gleneagles – Host of The 2019 Solheim Cup Vidauban Golf Club, Provence, France along with professional golfers Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy.
The main focus of the renovation is to produce a golf course with the highest specification, yet still enjoyable for all. Ensuring that this goal is delivered, Golf Estate has enlisted the expertise of a number of specialists. Target Golf from Madrid are the engineers on the upgrade of the course and have worked on more than 35 golf projects in Spain alone. Atlantic Golf Construction are the contractors who have recently renovated Adare Manor, host of the 2026 Ryder Cup and upgraded both Ballybunion and Tralee golf courses in Ireland. Turfgrass, are the project managers and agronomists for the renovation of the course and have worked on over 250 courses around the world including Adare Manor, 4 Solheim Cups, Wentworth and Gleneagles.
Other Improvements
Other areas of improvements will include the renovation of the clubhouse, this will enhance the golfers pre and post golf experience and give a greater opportunity to the club to host important social and corporate events.
The driving range and golf academy will be totally modernised with the support of South West Greens who are installing synthetic turf throughout, meaning the facility will look impeccable and perfectly playable 365 days a year. The well renowned Jason Floyd Golf Academy will be providing world class golf instruction and the very latest in technology; comprising of a gym, two indoor swing rooms, a Titleist Fitting performance studio, and an indoor putting analysis room.
Who is Jason Floyd:
Over the past 20 years, Jason Floyd has coached players to victories on the European Tour, the European Challenge Tour and the Asian Tour. Having also worked with Ryder Cup Players and coached on the US PGA Tour, Jason’s knowledge and experience is very extensive.
Ewen Murray, Sky Sports lead commentator and former European Tour Player said; “I have no hesitation in saying Jason is one of the most intelligent young coaches in golf today”. Early in his career Jason Floyd was a protégé of David Leadbetter and was privileged to observe and assist David whilst working with some of the world’s top players, including Ernie Els, Nick Price, Justin Rose, Greg Norman, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
In recognition of his work, the PGA of Great Britain awarded Jason the prestigious status of Advanced PGA Professional in 2008 and PGA Fellow Professional in 2012.
How is all of this helping the local community?
“More than 90% of the force are all local, we are working with local schools to introduce them to golf and with our enhanced facilities we are sure we will attract many more visitors to the San Roque area which can only be good for the local economy” states Stephen Dundas.
