Tag Archives: Las Colinas Golf

Golf Courses and resorts, Golf Managers

Las Colinas Golf – Alfonso Castiñeira, new Director of Golf

March 16, 20232 – Experienced golf industry executive Alfonso Castiñeira is heading home after leaving Panama to return to Spain to become the new director of golf at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club.

Castiñeira has taken up his new position at the award-winning resort at the start of March after spending the last decade working in a number of high-profile roles at golf clubs in Europe and Central America.

The former Alps Tour professional was, most recently, employed as director of golf at the Troon-managed Santa Maria Golf Club in Panama City – one of the most exclusive clubs in Panama – and is looking forward to using his extensive knowledge of the golf industry to help Las Colinas in its plans for the future.

Castiñeira said: “It’s an honour for me to be joining Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, one of the biggest names in Spanish golf.

“Golf has been my passion since I was child when I started playing the game at the age of 11. I loved the time that I spent in Panama working at some of the most prestigious golf venues in Central America, but this was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“I was very impressed by everything that Las Colinas has to offer and their plans for the future, and I can’t wait to get started.”

One of Castiñeira’s first tasks at Las Colinas will be putting the finishing touches to the resort’s programme for the 2023 golf season, which is shaping up to be the most wide-reaching and inclusive ever the venue focuses on bringing all members of its golfing community together.

The award-winning resort has put in place an action-packed calendar for the year ahead for players of all ages and abilities, with plans including new academies for juniors, seniors and ladies; an increased events programme for its popular Ladies Golf League and more mixed competitions, with the climax coming in December with the second staging of the Las Colinas Trophy.

At the heart of the schedule is Las Colinas’ acclaimed 18-hole championship golf course which, designed by Cabell B.Robinson and a regular host venue of the DP World Tour Qualifying School, will benefit from a further period of investment with the continued focus on sustainability.

In addition to completing a two-year bunker renovation programme using the ‘Better Billy Bunker’ sustainable system employed by a collection of the world’s most prestigious golf venues including 2022 US Open venue Brookline, Gleneagles and Oakland Hills, work will also continue on the course to plant native trees and shrubs and convert the turf to a native plant area, changing to drip irrigation for trees in the process to reduce the amount of water needed per year as well as cutting energy costs.

Having attracted more than 120 players last year, the third edition of the Las Colinas Ladies Golf League is expected to be just as popular with nine qualifying events taking place before December’s Grand Final.

New for 2023 and taking place on the resort’s driving range which boasts outstanding practice facilities including Toptracer technology a short-game area designed by Miguel Angel Jimenez, the new junior golf academy and seniors and ladies academy are also set to attract plenty of interest, while the 2023 golfing finale will come in December when golfers from across Spain and Europe will head to Las Colinas for the second Las Colinas Trophy.

Created especially for amateurs to help showcase the resort’s numerous sports, leisure and lifestyle facilities, the event offers players of all ages with an official handicap the opportunity to enjoy three days of fun and sample an unforgettable guest and gastronomic experience at one of Europe’s most sought-after golfing destinations.

Amateurs, Golf Courses and resorts

Las Colinas Golf – The Spanish golf club invite players to a new and exciting amateur event, Las Colinas Trophy

November 21, 2022 – Golfers from across Spain and Europe are being invited to head to Las Colinas Golf & Country Club at the start of next month to take part in the climax to the resort’s golfing season, the first-ever Las Colinas Trophy.

Players of all ages with an official handicap have the opportunity to gather at the acclaimed resort from December 5-7 (Spanish Bank Holiday) for three days of unmissable fun in the sun, and the chance to sample an unforgettable guest and gastronomic experience at one of Europe’s most sought-after golfing destinations.

As well as being given unlimited use of the practice facilities – including Toptracer technology on the driving range and a short-game area designed by Miguel Angel Jimenez – competitors will enjoy a practice round and 18-hole individual Stableford competition on Las Colinas’ award-winning 18-hole championship course, which was designed by world-renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson.

In addition, a sponsors’ village will be available next to the course where players, friends and families can play some of the most famous courses of the world on a TopTracer simulator and sample a range of different Mediterranean cuisines, while the event will culminate with a lavish gala dinner at Las Colinas’ exclusive Italian restaurant il Palco including a prize-giving ceremony, live music and much more.

Entry costs €395 per person and for more information and to register, please visit https://lascolinasgolf.com/en/golf/las-colinas-trophy/.

The Las Colinas Trophy has been created especially for amateurs to help showcase the numerous sports, leisure and lifestyle facilities on offer at Last Colinas, which was voted ‘Spain’s Best Golf Course’ and ‘World’s Leading Golf & Villa Resort’ at the 2021 World Golf Awards.

This year’s event, which has attracted Grupo Eulen as the main sponsor and Victorinox, Cuevas Amoros, Casmara, Callaway and Troon Golf as its other sponsors, will also feature the top players from qualifying events at five Spanish golf clubs – La Herreria, Centro Nacional, Las Pinaillas, El Bosque and Altoreal – while the resort is already planning to expand the event in the coming years to include a number of international qualifying tournaments.

Javier Rodríguez, Director of Operations of Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, said: “The Las Colinas Trophy is more than just a golf event. Both the program of activities and the prizes, gifts and trophies will make the three-day tournament a memorable experience for all the competitors, as they will be able to combine relaxation, regional tourism and gastronomy with their favourite sport, all in a world apart.

“We’re privileged this year to include the likes of the prestigious Swiss watch brand Victorinox and the high-end cosmetics company Casmara among our sponsors which, together with Cuevas Amorós jewellery and Callaway, ensure prizes of great quality and value.”

Golf Courses and resorts

Las Colinas Golf – Miguel Angel Jiménez to design new short game facility

June 9, 2017 – Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has joined forces with one of the most iconic names in golf to open the brand new ‘Las Colinas Short Game Facility designed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez.’

After making an initial site visit earlier this year, Ryder Cup legend and 21-time European Tour winner Miguel Ángel Jiménez will take time out from his busy schedule to head to Las Colinas, near Alicante, later in 2017, to oversee the design and construction of the new short game facility.

Set to be built within 200 metres from the driving range and 300 metres from the stunning clubhouse at Las Colinas, the Las Colinas Short Game Facility designed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez promises to be one of the best short game tuition layouts in Europe.

“Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is very quickly establishing a reputation as one of the best new golf developments in Europe, winning many awards already and also being selected by the European Tour as a Qualifying School location,” said Miguel Ángel Jiménez. “And so you can imagine I was extremely honoured to be asked by the Owners of the Club to design a short game area and very happy to put my name to the new practice facility.

“Work is already under way and I look forward to watching the development progress over the coming months and to opening the Las Colinas Short Game Facility in the Autumn,” added Jiménez. “I hope that players of all abilities will enjoy the new practice area.”

In designing the short game facility, Jiménez – who remains one of the most popular players in the sport – will work closely with the management team at Las Colinas, including the resort’s Director of Golf & Operations, Sean Corte-Real.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Miguel on our new Short Game Facility and can’t wait to start fine-tuning the layout with him,” said Sean Corte-Real. “Miguel’s name carries massive weight right across the world and his knowledge on golf will be invaluable in designing a short game facility that can cater for the very best players in the world. 

“At Las Colinas, we promise all visitors an experience that is ‘A World Apart’ and the introduction of the Las Colinas Short Game Facility designed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez promises to add to that experience even more,” added Corte-Real. “Once opened, all golfers course blends naturally into the surrounding landscape, running through valleys between the hills to deliver a truly captivating and unforgettable experience for golfers of all abilities”.

As well as being named Spain’s Best Golf Course for the second year running at the 2016 World Golf Awards, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club was also chosen as Spain’s Leading Villa Resort for the second consecutive time at the 2016 World Travel Awards.

Later this year, Las Colinas will once again welcome some of the future stars of tomorrow as the resort plays host to the European Tour Qualifying School 2nd Stage.

Golf Courses and resorts, Instruction, Professionals

Las Colinas Golf – The PGA Tour-level analysis of Trackman 3e, available to help golfers play better

April 24, 2017 – Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, in Alicante (Spain), has installed Trackman 3e technology, offering visiting golfers the chance to benefit from the same performance analysis used by the very best on the PGA and European Tours.

A world leader in performance-enhancing software in the industry today, Trackman provides scientifically-accurate figures through data, video and overlay graphics, which golfers at the Troon-managed resort will be able to use in lessons and when warming up for important events.

“We’re really excited about our Trackman technology and look forward to helping golfers with technology used by some of the world’s very best players,” said Robert Mitchell, Head PGA Professional at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club. “As well as using in lessons, there will be times when golfers can take advantage of Trackman before they tee off too. Those who have their swing analysed will also receive the video footage through email.”

Meanwhile, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club’s Director of Golf & Operations, Sean Corte-Real commented: “Being Spain’s Best Golf Course and Spain’s Leading Villa Resort, we have made it a real priority to ensure that as the resort grows, what we offer at the resort grows with it, and adding Trackman technology is certainly a good example of this.”

Golf Courses and resorts

Las Colinas Golf – New Director of Golf, Sean Corte-Real, brings international expertise

Las-Colinas-Sean-Corta-Real

November 30, 2014 – Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, one of Continental Europe’s Top 100 Courses, continues to develop its world apart reputation with the announcement of the appointment of globally-experienced Director of Golf, Sean Corte-Real.

In a career that has spanned multiple continents, Core-Real brings with him over 12 years golf resort industry experience having previously held the Director of Golf and Project manager position at Iguazu Golf Resort in Foz do Iguacu in Brazil.

Corte-Real’s international insight will build on Las Colinas Golf & CC’s fantastic success to date which has seen the Troon managed course host European Qualifying School Stage 2 as well as winning the Best Golf Resort in the 2014 International Hotel and Property Awards.

Upon accepting the role, Sean Corte-Real, expressed his delight at taking the helm of one of Europe’s finest venues: “To be a part of a resort of this calibre, that continues to go from strength to strength and is so well known throughout Europe, is a dream appointment.”

“The quality of the product, the outstanding reputation of the ownership GMP and the prospect of working withthe global leader in golf resort management, Troon, were all huge factors in why I wanted to be involved.”

Managing Director at Las Colinas Golf & CC, Cristobal Guerrero, commented: “We are really excited by having Sean join our team. We know that he will relish the opportunity to develop Las Colinas Golf and Country Club and that he shares our vision of making it one of the top references for golfers not only in Europe, but also worldwide.”

Beginning his career in the golf world as a touring professional, Sean Corte-Real spent four years competing in high level tournaments across Europe, before moving into resort management.

His first major post soon followed, becoming Director of Golf at Vila Sol Spa & Golf Resort in Vilamoura, Algarve (Portugal). In his nine years leading the resort, Corte-Real laid the foundations for its continued success, with the resort going on to achieve numerous awards including Leading Beach Destination at the World Travel Awards 2013 and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence this year.

In search of new challenges, he then moved on to Iguazu Golf Resort in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, where he took the lead in developing the golf offering at one of the emerging destinations finest golf courses as Director of Golf and Project manager.

In the picture: From left to right, new Director of Golf, Sean Corte-Real, and Managing Director, Cristobal Guerrero.