The Spanish Association of Golf Managers has brought together all the associations that make up the structure of our sport, the essence, the pillars of golf, in a discussion table on the occasion of the VIII Technical Conference that took place at the Real Club Sevilla Golf during three intense days, from November 13 to 15.

Two hundred managers of courses and clubs from all over Spain have gathered at the Real Club Sevilla Golf, which has been dedicated to organizing the eighth edition of the conference. The program has included presentations, practical cases, presentations of machinery, services and new products, as well as time dedicated to networking between collaborating companies and the managers through pre-arranged meetings.

Salvador Álvarez Escobar, president of the Spanish Association of Managers, led the panel discussion that opened the conference, which was composed of Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation; Pablo Mansilla, president of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation; Claudia Hernández, president of the Spanish Association of Golf Courses;

Carlos Lima, vice president of the Spanish Greenkeepers Association;

and David Pastor, president of the Spanish Professional Golfers Association.

“Unity, solidarity, rowing in the same direction, fluid communication, confluence of synergies, defending the values of golf”

And, above all, “loyalty between the different sectors” was the commitment made by representatives of all levels united by the same objective: to provide the boost that golf today needs and deserves, not only as a successful sport (thanks to the international triumphs of Sergio García, Jon Rahm, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Adrián Otaegui, Álvaro Quirós, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Santi Luna, Pedro Oriol, Azahara Muñoz and Adriá Arnáus, in addition to the medals won in the amateur field), but as an industry that generates thousands of jobs and attracts quality tourism.

At this annual meeting

“which has become an essential forum for managers of courses and clubs throughout Spain and some in Portugal, thanks to the magnificent work of our

director Manuel Lozano”,

According to AEGG President Salvador Álvarez Escobar, technological applications and tools focused on time optimization have been presented – Golfspain: Repwin Manager, Value4golf, TeePanel – and interesting workshops and presentations have been given on a wide variety of topics: “redecorating the club shop”, “technology at the service of course maintenance”, “RFEG marketing plan”, “how to survive a Board of Directors”, “leadership models”, “collaboration between territorial federations and managers to promote the destination” and “keys to meeting water needs in times of drought”.

Javier Reviriego

he explained to his colleagues

“How to achieve excellence in clubs with limited resources.”.

The general manager of RC Valderrama reminded them of Robert Kearns' famous quote

“In the race for excellence, there is no finish line,” and he emphasized that

“We must constantly question whether we can do better.”.

The most anticipated presentation was the one given by

Domènec Biosca, a friend and one more among the great family of golf managers,

considered the best

expert in management and training of tourism companies.

The renowned professor, author of 33 books and thousands of articles, argued that

“Leaders must be trained to generate enthusiasm, and successful managers must master six talents: technical, emotional (people management), economic, team-building talent (is

(the team is more important than the people), customer focus and coaching talent.”

and insisted, once again, that

“A smile gives more light than a power plant.”.

SOURCE: Spanish Association of Golf Managers