Tag Archives: Miguel Girbés

Digitization, Golf Courses and resorts

Golfmanager – Southern Europe’s leading golf software adding Aphrodite Hills and two other Cypriot golf courses

March 25, 2025 – Golfmanager, the leading software solution for completely digitalizing golf club operations, continues its rapid growth in Southern Europe by adding Aphrodite Hills —one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive and prestigious golf resorts—to its global community.

Joining Aphrodite Hills, two other top-tier Cypriot courses, Eléa Golf Club and Limassol Greens, will also implement Golfmanager’s advanced management system.

This expansion further cements Golfmanager’s role in driving the digital transformation of the golf industry across key Southern European markets such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and now Cyprus.

Golfmanager already powers some of the most renowned resorts in these countries, including La Reserva Club de Sotogrande (Spain), Arabella Golf Mallorca (Spain), Praia d’El Rey (Portugal), all courses at Vilamoura Golf(Portugal), Verdura Resort (Italy), and Costa Navarino (Greece)— Best Resort in Continental Europe according to the 2024 Golf World ranking.

Aphrodite Hills: Cyprus’ Premier Golf and Luxury Destination

Nestled in a stunning location overlooking the Mediterranean, Aphrodite Hills is Cyprus’ most iconic golf course and a world-class luxury destination. Designed by the renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson, this 18-hole championship course—host to European Tour events—blends breathtaking natural beauty with a challenging design.

Aphrodite Hills has been crowned Best Golf Course in Cyprus multiple times at the World Golf Awards and currently ranks 35th among the Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe 2024 (Golf World). The resort also boasts numerous accolades for its commitment to sustainability and excellence in hospitality and is part of the PGA Network as the PGA National Cyprus.

By choosing Golfmanager, Aphrodite Hills joins an elite group of world-class golf resorts that rely on the industry’s most advanced management software. Golfmanager now powers 34 of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe, solidifying its status as the leading digital solution for premium golf destinations.

Beyond golf, Aphrodite Hills leverages Golfmanager to manage its tennis, padel, basketball, and football facilities—all within a single platform. This unified approach lets the resort gain a 360-degree view of its sports operations and customer base, streamlining management and enhancing the overall experience.

Golfmanager’s flexibility and adaptability make this level of technological integration possible. It caters not only to sports management but also to business operations such as financial administration and customer segmentation (covering visitors, members, and tour operators).

“At Aphrodite Hills, we strive for excellence in every aspect of our operations, and Golfmanager provides us with the most advanced technology to optimize our daily management,” says Miguel Girbes, Director of Golf & Sports at Aphrodite Hills.

“Thanks to its platform, we can centralize the management of our golf course, academy, and other sports facilities in a single tool, elevating our service standards and enhancing the customer experience.”

Eléa Golf Club and Limassol Greens Also Choose Golfmanager

Alongside Aphrodite Hills, two other premium golf courses in Cyprus — Eléa Golf Club and Limassol Greens —have also selected Golfmanager as their preferred management software.

Eléa Golf Club, just five minutes from Paphos, offers a top-tier golfing experience in a spectacular setting. Designed by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo, this 18-hole, par-71 course seamlessly incorporates natural features while offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Since opening in October 2010, Eléa Golf Club has established itself as one of the premier golf destinations in Cyprus and the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, Limassol Greens, located near the city of Limassol, is an upcoming luxury golf resort featuring high-end residences and an 18-hole course designed by Cabell B. Robinson. Overlooking Cyprus’ largest salt lake, this 6,404-meter-long course will open in autumn 2025 and promises a fully digitalized golfing experience powered by Golfmanager.

“We chose Golfmanager for its seamless, all-in-one solution designed specifically for modern golf resorts. Its fast, cloud-based technology, intuitive interface, and powerful management tools allow us to efficiently manage bookings, memberships, retail, and daily operations—ensuring the best possible experience for both guests and staff”.

“A key factor in our decision was the exceptional after-sales support. Throughout the onboarding process, the Golfmanager team provided invaluable assistance to our operations team, making the transition smooth and effortless”, says Andrew Darker, Golf General Manager at Limassol Greens.

“Our software continues to prove itself as the most advanced and versatile solution for golf club and resort management, delivering a seamless and fully digital experience for both players and operators,” says Daniel Sillari, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Golfmanager.

“Our expansion into Cyprus, with the addition of Aphrodite Hills, Eléa Golf Club, and Limassol Greens, reaffirms our commitment to golf’s digital transformation—not just in Southern Europe, but beyond.”

Digitization, Golf Turism, Travel

PlayInOne.golf – A revolutionary digital platform arrives to simplifies your golf trips ‘All-In-One’

December 3, 2024 – PlayInOne.golf has just been launched, a groundbreaking digital platform that is set to transform the golf travel industry with its ‘All-In-One’ approach: From Tee Times to Hotel Rooms, The Next Evolution in Stay & Play Packages and All-in-One Golf Booking Platforms.

Now Launched, the platform offers golfers and venues a seamless way to book Stay & Play packages, green fees, and accommodations while providing resorts and hotels unmatched control and monitoring capabilities.

A Revolutionary Golf Booking Experience

PlayInOne.golf stands out by offering four powerful search options tailored to every golfer’s needs:

  • Stay & Play Packages: Combine hotel stays with green fees for the ultimate convenience.
  • Multi-Green Fee: Book multiple rounds across various courses in one go.
  • Green Fee Only: Find and secure tee times at top courses effortlessly.
  • Hotels: Access premium accommodations powered by Siteminder Channel +.

With over 180 premium golf courses and 300 luxury hotels across Spain and Portugal, PlayInOne.golf has already partnered with renowned venues like Finca Cortesin, RC Valderrama, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, Club de Golf Alcanada, and Arabella Resort, as well as hotels like Hotel Camiral, Mett Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella and chains such as H10 Hotels and Pure Salt Luxury Hotels.

Real-Time Booking Technology

The new platform leverages real-time confirmation and automation to eliminate booking hassles. Integrations with leading software providers, including Siteminder, Dingus, iMaster, and Golfmanager, enable streamlined management of green fees, hotel stays, and Stay & Play packages. PlayInOne.golf’s smart algorithms instantly consolidate bookings, avoiding delays or overlaps and ensuring clarity during peak seasons.

A Vision for the Future

Miguel Girbes, CEO and Co-Founder of PlayInOne.golf, highlights the platform’s mission: “PlayInOne.golf is more than a booking tool—it’s a comprehensive solution for golfers, hotels, and golf resorts. By offering real-time feedback, automation, and tailored search options, we’re simplifying every step of the golf trip experience. Whether it’s Stay & Play packages, green fees, or hotel bookings, PlayInOne.golf is setting a new standard for the industry.”

Be Part of the PlayInOne.golf Revolution

To explore this cutting-edge platform or learn more about its features, visit www.PlayInOne.golf.

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Golf Courses and resorts

Empordà Golf – Ready to undergo a major transformation this summer

June 22, 2020 – A thrilling new era awaits at Empordà Golf Resort from this summer with the Spanish venue undergoing a major redevelopment, transforming it into one of the premier 36-hole golfing destinations in Europe.

The resort’s new ownership and management team has unveiled multi-million euro plans to invest significantly across all facilities, with its two 18-hole golf courses, 86-room hotel and leisure facilities all receiving a major overhaul.

The work on the hotel – which will reopen on July 1 – and golf courses is being overseen by Empordà’s new general manager Miguel Girbés, with the first phase of the redevelopment programme due to be completed in the coming months.

Girbés, who has previously worked in leading roles at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf and Spa and PGA Catalunya, said: “With numerous facilities including two outstanding golf courses, Empordà has the potential to be rated alongside the very best golf venues in Europe.

“It’s a name that’s highly regarded and well known within golfing circles, and it presents us with the perfect foundations for our ambitious project.

“The new owners have some big plans for the future and I’m confident that, with the level of investment that is taking place, we will quickly transform Empordà Golf Resort into one of the most enticing facilities in Europe for travelling golfers.”

Located 30 minutes from Girona in the heart of the Costa Brava region, Empordà Golf Resort’s impressive facilities include two 18-hole championship courses – Empordà Links and Empordà Forest, both designed world-renowned architect Robert von Hagge – an 86-room hotel and an array of lifestyle amenities.

As part of the extensive renovation plans, both courses are undergoing significant investment to elevate the golf experience being offered to members and guests, with work being undertaken including the reconstruction of all bunkers using the Better Billy Bunker method, a comprehensive tree clearance programme and purchase of new greenkeeping equipment to improve the all-round condition of tees, fairways and greens.

In addition, Hotel Empordà Golf has been transformed with a modern and contemporary new look by the architects LaGranja, with the bedrooms, communal areas and restaurant all being redesigned and renovated.

New head chef Vicenç Fajardo has been brought in to create a new restaurant concept throughout Empordà’s dining areas, while an outdoor swimming being installed to help guests relax after a hard day on the fairways.

Golfers can also look forward to an improved experience in the redesigned clubhouse from this summer, including a remodeled pro shop and new restaurant concept, while Empordà’s fresh new look is set to be captured by a significant rebrand of the resort.

Golf Courses and resorts, Golf Managers, Greenkeepers

Empordà Golf – New team to oversee the transformation of the Costa Brava resort

June 16, 2020 – Empordà Golf Resort has underlined its commitment to becoming one of European golf’s elite destinations after appointing a new management team to lead the Spanish venue into an exciting new era.

The new-look line-up will be responsible for overseeing and delivering a major upgrade in all the Costa Brava resort’s facilities, with its two 18-hole championship golf courses, four-star hotel and leisure amenities all receiving an extensive overhaul.

Leading Empordà’s team will be new general manager Miguel Girbés, who has a wealth of experience in the Spanish and European golf market having previously worked in key roles at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa and PGA Catalunya Resort.

Assisting him will be the resort’s new sales manager Anna Ciurana and digital marketing manager Carles Pintiado, with Ferran Palau taking over as director of golf and Adrian Gonzalez being appointed as head greenkeeper.

Heading the transformation of Empordà’s 87-room hotel will be new hotel manager Nuria Font, with head chef Vicenç Fajardo being brought in to create a new restaurant concept in the redesigned dining areas.

“These are exciting times for Empordà and we’re all thrilled to have this opportunity to play a leading part in creating a new chapter in the resort’s history”, says Miguel Girbés. “There’s no doubt that Empordà has the potential to be rated alongside the very best golf venues in Europe. The owners have some big plans for the future and a clear vision of where they want the resort to be, and we’re looking forward to making that dream a reality.”

Located 30 minutes from Girona in the heart of the Costa Brava region, Empordà Golf Resort features two 18-hole championship courses – the Links and the Forest, both designed world-renowned architect Robert von Hagge.

Complementing the golf facilities is the impressive Empordà Golf Hotel, which overlooks the two courses and sits just five minutes from the best beaches on the Costa Brava and its most charming medieval towns.

In addition to the hotel’s 87 rooms, guests can take advantage of an array of facilities including outdoor pool, Spa and indoor pool, gym, meeting and event rooms, two restaurants and a bar lounge.

Golf Courses and resorts, Golf Shops, Honma Golf

Honma Golf – Finca Cortesin joins the exclusive group of Honma Golf partners

March 21, 2018 – Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa has enhanced the five-star luxury experience it offers to golfers after agreeing a new partnership with Honma Golf, global leaders in the manufacture of premium golf equipment.

The award-winning resort in Andalucia, Spain, has teamed up with the prestigious Japanese company and, its new role as official retailer, can offer players the opportunity to experience an exclusive fitting upon demand performed by Honma’s technical representatives.

As well as providing guests with a choice of the latest stiff, regular and senior-shafted clubs when using the resort’s rental service, Finca Cortesin will join the luxury brand’s exclusive group of stockists and have access to its entire club collection – enabling it to offer an upgraded five-star fitting service at the venue’s state-of-the-art Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy.

Miguel Girbés, director of golf at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: “Finca Cortesin is delighted to include Honma Golf as one of our preferred partners.

“It is always our aim at the resort to work with the most prestigious brands so that we can offer the best quality golf experience to our guests. Honma Golf is renowned for its attention to detail and offering a more personalised approach to club-fitting, making the brand a perfect match for the resort.”

Founded in 1959, Honma Golf has established itself as the market leader in premium golf equipment, using the best materials, ground-breaking technology and highly-skilled craftsmanship to produce a collection of the most sought-after and best performing clubs in the world.

Pablo Casas, head of sales in Iberia and Italy for Honma Golf Europe, said: “Honma prides itself on a meticulous approach to manufacturing and attention to detail. Finca Cortesin has an identical philosophy to us, with service based on quality, not quantity, and we’re delighted to have teamed up with them on this new venture.”

The partnership is the latest exciting development for Finca Cortesin following a memorable last 12 months that has seen the award-winning venue cement its position among the world’s elite golf resorts.

As well as improving the five-star golfing experience on its 18-hole championship course by reconstructing the bunkers using the renowned ‘Better Billy Bunker’ system, the resort became the first course in Spain to relay all of its greens with a new variety of Ultra Dwarf Bermuda grass.

The renovation project has already earned widespread global praise – helping Finca Cortesin to win the 2018 IAGTO Sustainability Award for Resource Efficiency and move into the top 20 of the Top 100 Golf Courses European rankings list for the first time in its history.

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Golf Courses and resorts, Greenkeepers, Sustainable Golf

Finca Cortesin – Brings green initiative to life with new video

Finca Cortesín (Greens Renovation) from Finca Cortesin on Vimeo.

January 16, 2018 – Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa has brought to life the story of how it became the first golf course in Spain to feature a new, environmentally-friendly, type of Bermuda grass on all its greens with the release of a new video on the ambitious project.

Cameras were on hand to capture in full detail each stage of the operation to upgrade the putting surfaces on the deluxe Andalucian resort’s championship course to a new variety of Ultra Dwarf Bermuda grass.

Supervised by head greenkeeper Ignacio Soto, the conversion programme began in June 2016 at a nursery 600 kilometres from Finca Cortesin in Plasencia, Caceres, in the centre of Spain, with the four-and-a-half minute film highlighting the painstaking care and attention that was taken to first seed the grass by hand.

Having spent 12 months nurturing the grass under supervised growing conditions, the resort used the latest state-of-the-art machinery to cut the turf into rolls before transporting it to the course, where Soto and his greenkeeping team began the meticulous process of relaying all 18 greens and the practice putting green.

With the grass having been grown at the nursery, disruption for golfers was kept to a minimum, with the footage revealing that the course was able to reopen barely a month after work began, and the renovation project has already earned widespread global praise – including the resort winning the 2018 IAGTO Sustainability Award for Resource Efficiency.

Miguel Girbés, director of golf at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: “The upgrade of the greens is one of the most ambitious golf projects that has been undertaken at Finca Cortesin and is the culmination of years of hard work. 

“It was very important to have a lasting record of the work that has taken place, and the video is a perfect illustration of the care and attention to detail that the resort prides itself on to help deliver the finest luxury experience to all our guests.”

Opened in March 2006 and set across a vast 532-acre estate, Finca Cortesin is regarded as one of Europe’s most exclusive modern golf and lifestyle destination resorts. A member of the exclusive European Tour Properties network, the resort was ranked in the best 50 hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler UK magazine in 2017.

Designed by American Cabell Robinson, the resort’s championship course has hosted numerous high-profile tournaments, including the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Complementing the world-class golf course are outstanding practice facilities including a state-of-the-art Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy.

Located in the rolling hills of southern Spain, between Marbella and Sotogrande, with the Mediterranean to one side and the tranquil Casares Mountains to the other, Finca Cortesin’s other world-class facilities include an elegant 67-suite hotel, Hotel Cortesin; a 6,000sqm Beach Club; and an award-winning spa featuring Spain’s only snow cave, and the choice of four restaurants.

More information at www.fincacortesin.com.

DP World Tour, Golf Courses and resorts

European Tour – Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa becomes European Tour Destination

June 2, 2017 – Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa is the latest addition to the exclusive European Tour Properties portfolio, becoming the 25th member of the network and only the second Spanish venue to achieve the prestigious European Tour Destination status.

The hotel offers a choice of four fantastic restaurants, including the Michelin-starred signature Japanese restaurant Kabuki Row, while the resort also features an exclusive collection of villas, available for purchase or rental.

The resort joins fellow Spanish venue PGA Catalunya Resort in the European Tour Properties network and will benefit from the shared expertise across the portfolio in elevating its status and growing their business.

David MacLaren, Head of European Tour Properties, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome Finca Cortesin to our world class network and look forward to working with the team to help ensure it maintains its outstanding reputation with both golfers and non-golfers.”

“Finca already enjoys an enviable reputation and we are greatly looking forward to promoting its wonderful facilities to an even wider audience.”

“We are proud of the shared knowledge we encourage between our Member Venues and Finca Cortesin will add enormously to this while also being able to benefit from a privileged relationship with the European Tour, and our wide-ranging resources.”

Miguel Girbés, Director of Golf at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: “It’s a great honour for Finca Cortesin to be joining the European Tour Properties network, one of the world’s most respected golf organisations.

“Having hosted a number of high-profile tournaments, including the Volvo World Match Play Championship, Finca Cortesin has come a long way in a short space of time. It was a logical step to become a part of the network, and we’re excited at the opportunities that this new relationship will bring.”

Rene Zimmer, General Manager at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, added: “We’re very privileged to be joining European Tour Properties, a group that features some of the game’s most famous and celebrated names.

“We believe that membership will help us to not only continue to deliver an outstanding experience to our guests, but also assist in increasing our influence in new and existing international markets.”

Finca Cortesin is the second new addition to the network in 2017 following the earlier announcement of Verdura Golf Resort, host of the recent Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, Sicily, as a European Tour Destination.

Golf Shows, Golf Turism, Travel

PGA Catalunya – Crowned 2015 Golf Resort of the Year for Europe by IAGTO

Julio-Delgado-y-Miguel-Girbés-Premio-IAGTO-2014

October 31, 2014 – PGA Catalunya Resort has been crowned ‘2015 Golf Resort of the Year for Europe’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), the global trade organisation of the golf industry.

The award, which comes as PGA Catalunya Resort celebrates the 15th anniversary of its Stadium Course, is the 20th significant accolade the European Tour Destination has received since it opened to the public in 1999.

Recent recognitions include its ranking as Spain’s No.1 golf course by Top100golfcourses.co.uk for 2012-2015, being voted Best Golf Development in Europe by European Property Awards for 2013-2014, and its listing among the World’s Top 100 Golf Course rankings of Golf World.

This latest distinction was given at the IAGTO Awards Gala Dinner during the 17th International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in Lake Como, Italy.

IAGTO Chief Executive Peter Walton commented: “It is gratifying to see that PGA Catalunya Resort has gained recognition from IAGTO’s tour operator members as the 2015 Golf Resort of the Year for Europe. It underlines not only how the resort has progressively advanced to take top spot in Spain in the rankings of revered golf publications and websites with major investment in recent years, but also that it continues to embrace its long-standing relationship with golf tour operators and their clients.”

IAGTO-Golf-Resort-of-the-Year,-Europe---PGA-Catalunya-Resort5137x3429

Julio Delgado, CEO of PGA Catalunya Resort, added: “The latest award from IAGTO crowns an incredible 15 years for PGA Catalunya Resort, which has established itself as one of Europe’s finest golf experiences.”

“Our mission has, and will always be, focused on delivering an outstanding and memorable golf experience, while adapting to changing market demands. Whilst we are proud of what we have achieved, we know we are just at the beginning of a very exciting journey, and look forward to many more milestones to come.”

The Golf Resort of the Year Award was voted for by IAGTO’s network of 500+ specialist golf tour operators, from across 61 different countries. Each operator is asked to nominate who they consider to be the best performing golf resort in Europe, North America and the rest of the world in the current year, based on the satisfaction ratings of their golf travelling clients.

In the pictures Julio Delgado, CEO of PGA Catalunya Resort, and Miguel Girbés, Golf General Manager of the Resort, as they receive the award.