CPG Collection Member Sotogrande offers a compelling case study in how this can be done well. With its combination of world-class golf, modern academy facilities, wellness, and a broader lifestyle ecosystem, it provides a blueprint for how destinations can support pro-led travel – and how professionals can, in turn, elevate the experiences they offer their clients.

In this conversation, Sotogrande’s Marketing Director, Rita Jordão, shares how the destination has been shaped to support both elite performance and group-based experiences, and what PGA Professionals, clubs and academies can take from its approach to building loyalty, engagement, and long-term value through travel.

1. How do The Alto Club and the new Golf Academy reinforce Sotogrande’s positioning as a fully integrated golf and lifestyle destination?

The Alto Club and Golf Academy adds a different element to the golf offering that Sotogrande didn’t necessarily have before: a more relaxed, open, and enjoyable way into the game. It is modern, current, and more casual in spirit.

Sotogrande is already a renowned location as Spain’s hub for world-class golf, and among the best in Europe and globally. That positioning is unquestionable.

What we wanted to do with The Alto Club was complement that existing offer with something fresh and, importantly, something that, from a local community perspective, allows a segment of people who may never have embraced golf to engage with it. As golfers, we all know the barriers to enter the sport. Our aim is to break those barriers and make it easier and more fun for people to take up the game in a relaxed way.

That is particularly relevant for younger generations or children and, without falling into clichés, also for female golfers who are sometimes left out because they didn’t start young or don’t yet have the same level of play as their partners. We want to give them the opportunity to embrace golf in a natural, casual, and fun way.

2. With Suzann Pettersen as Global Ambassador and Mimi Rhodes now on the LPGA Tour, how important is elite performance in shaping Sotogrande’s brand story?

Elite performance has always been woven into the fabric of Sotogrande. It’s not a new chapter we’re adding to the story, it has always been there.

Mimi Rhodes is a perfect example. She grew up here, learned the game here, and developed her talent within this community. Today, at just 24, she’s competing on the LPGA Tour as one of Europe’s most exciting young players. That journey, from local fairways to the world stage, says a great deal about what Sotogrande represents. It shows that this is not only a destination for great golf, but it can be a place where great golfers are formed.

Historically, between Real Club Valderrama, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, and La Reserva Club, Sotogrande has consistently been connected to elite competition, both at professional and amateur level. But what makes it meaningful is that this commitment has never been limited to elite sport in a purely commercial or social sense. It has always been extended to the grassroots.

La Cañada, for example – the oldest public golf course in Spain – is unknown to most on an international level, but this local club that was created through a collaborative effort between the town hall, Sotogrande, and Valderrama to ensure that the local community had access to the game, continues to generate top players in the professional game. Angel Ayora is one of the most recent examples, and this is a powerful reminder that the foundations of excellence are built locally.

Our new academy at The Alto Club, and ambassadors such as Suzann Pettersen alongside Mimi, reinforce that journey from grassroots through to global stage. Elite performance strengthens the brand, of course, but more importantly it reflects our long-standing philosophy to nurture the game at every level.

Golf in Sotogrande is for the future major champion and equally for the 20-handicap player who simply loves the game. That inclusivity alongside quality, is what defines us.

3. What makes Sotogrande and The Alto Club a credible long term training base for touring professionals like Mimi Rhodes?

Sotogrande is not a destination that has appeared overnight. It has been shaped over six decades around the game of golf. That heritage carries weight with touring professionals.

Then there is the quality. When people speak about the south of Spain, there is often a predictable reference to sunshine and climate. Of course, the weather matters, but the sun is just an expectation here. Players who choose Sotogrande are looking for something far more substantial. World-class conditions, year-round consistency, and facilities that genuinely support performance.

In terms of golf courses, I don’t need to say it myself. It’s the rankings and the raters who consistently position the courses within Sotogrande at the very top of Spanish golf. Between La Reserva Club, Real Club Valderrama and Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, we have three courses at the very top of the national rankings. That concentration of quality within one destination is extremely rare, anywhere in Europe.

The practice facilities are equally important. Touring professionals need space, precision, and variety in their training environment, and that infrastructure is embedded here. From short-game areas to performance gyms and recovery facilities.

But what truly differentiates Sotogrande, and The Alto Club in particular, is privacy. Players can step away from the intensity of tour life and focus completely on their preparation. There are no distractions, no interruptions, just the space to work. That same discretion extends beyond the fairways. Many professionals choose to live here and raise their families here because the sense of calm, security, and privacy is consistent throughout the community.

4. How does SO/ Sotogrande Hotel & Spa complement the golf offering for players looking to train, recover or host groups?

All elements that are complimentary of golf are becoming increasingly important not only for professional golfers, but also for amateurs.

Having a top-quality spa and gym as part of the overall offering here is really significant. When you combine the SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort with the 18 holes of The Alto Club, the new Golf Academy, and one of Spain’s top courses, La Reserva Club as a complementary course, there are very few places that can compete. Particularly from a professional perspective and for professional groups.

We are receiving hundreds of requests from professional golfers, as well as from coaches of professionals and elite players, to use Sotogrande as a base. That demand is one of the biggest proofs of the quality that we have to offer.

5. How do you balance Sotogrande’s role as a high-performance golf environment with its appeal as a luxury resort destination?

I see those two elements as very compatible and complementary. A high-performance golf environment does not clash with a resort lifestyle, in fact it’s quite the opposite.

In actual fact, I think that elite golf is increasingly moving in that direction. Professional golfers are travelling more and more with their families, partners and children, and with that there is a requirement for wider resort and lifestyle amenities.

That is also why The Alto Club feels so relevant now. Golfers are not simply looking to hit balls on a range, play 18 holes, and repeat the same, day after day. They want to get more out of their trip, and more from the overall experience. We are seeing more couples and families travelling to golf destinations than ever before.

The traditional image of golf as a male-dominated sport has changed, it is changing, and will continue to change.

Our objective is to offer a product that is genuinely relevant to that evolution, and it is being extremely well received internationally, nationally, and within the local community.

For more information visitors can book limited tee times and curated stay and play packages at: sotogrande.com/packages

Fresh off a standout 2025 season on the Ladies European Tour, Rhodes enters this new chapter having firmly established herself among the elite of European golf and with her sights now set on the world’s most competitive women’s tour.

Competing on the Ladies European Tour, she claimed three victories, earned Rookie of the Year honours, and finished second on the Order of Merit, with performances that paved the way for her successful passage through LPGA Q-Series and entry onto the LPGA Tour.

“Coming back to Sotogrande at this moment in my career feels incredibly special. It doesn’t feel like the start of something new, but rather a continuation of the journey that began here” she explains. Long before titles and international recognition, Sotogrande was the place where Mimi grew up, found her sense of home, and spent the most formative years of her life. Today, as she reaches the most exciting phase of her professional career, those early years in Sotogrande remain deeply woven into the amazing player she has become.

As official touring professional ambassador for Sotogrande, Rhodes continues to return regularly to the estate for ongoing training and preparation at The Alto Club and new Golf Academy, both part of the SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort.

Together, these facilities offer a practical training base for professional golfers, alongside Toptracer technology providing clear feedback on ball flight and shot data to support focused, repeatable practice. Blending elite training with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, recovery and balance, Sotogrande provides an environment that supports sustained excellence at the highest level of the game.

Reflecting on her journey, Rhodes added: “Sotogrande has always felt like home to me. I grew up here, practising, learning and developing as both a golfer and a person. To be able to come back now, and prepare here for the move to the LPGA Tour, is incredibly special. It’s an environment that gives me everything I need to perform, but also to reset and stay grounded.”

Rita Jordão, Director of Marketing at Sotogrande SA, commented: “We are deeply proud to see Mimi’s journey come full circle in Sotogrande. Her personal connection to the estate makes this relationship incredibly special to us. Mimi embodies the spirit and values of Sotogrande, and we are honoured to support her as she steps into an exciting new chapter on the international stage.”

For more information visitors can book limited tee times and curated stay and play packages at: sotogrande.com/packages

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As golf professionals increasingly look beyond traditional coaching trips, destinations that combine training, lifestyle, wellness, and family appeal are becoming ever more important.

In the latest episode of The Spin Podcast, we sat down with Stéphane Menou, General Manager of SO/ Sotogrande  and The Alto Club, to explore how golf travel is evolving — and what PGA Professionals can do to make the most of it.

With over 30 years of international experience managing resorts across the world, Menou brings a refreshingly practical perspective. His message is clear: golf travel works best when it delivers a complete experience, not just tee times and practice sessions.

At SO/ Sotogrande, that philosophy is reflected in what Menou repeatedly describes as a “360° offer” – blending elite golf facilities, a modern academy environment, wellness, gastronomy, and family-friendly amenities into one destination. For golf professionals hosting trips, this creates far more flexibility: coaching-focused mornings, relaxed afternoons, wellness-led recovery, and social evenings that appeal to both players and non-golfing companions.

A key development is the newly rebranded Alto Club Golf Academy, led by Suzann Pettersen, alongside the purpose-built Pro Zone Training Centre. Rather than positioning this as an elite-only space, Menou is clear that the goal is accessibility – supporting touring professionals, national teams, club golfers, juniors, and families alike. Par-3 golf, night-time practice using Toptracer technology, and flexible group capacity allow coaches to design trips that balance performance and enjoyment.

Crucially for PGA Professionals, Menou highlights that great destinations are built with pros in mind. Coaches act as trusted filters for players and clients; if they believe in the product, the destination gains credibility. That’s why SO/ Sotogrande has invested heavily in facilities that professionals can genuinely use – from structured training environments and fitting areas to recovery tools, wellness services, and adaptable programming.

Towards the end of the conversation, Menou offers perhaps the most valuable takeaway for coaches planning trips: don’t underuse the destination. Encourage players to bring family, explore nearby courses, enjoy the lifestyle elements, and see the trip as more than just a golf camp. This not only increases satisfaction, but also strengthens repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations.

With year-round accessibility, strong transport links, and a dense cluster of world-class courses nearby, SO/ Sotogrande and The Alto Club are positioning themselves as a reference point for modern golf travel – one that aligns performance, wellbeing, and commercial opportunity.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Spin Podcast to hear Stéphane Menou’s insights in full and explore how golf professionals can maximise the value of hosted trips.

Click to find out more about SO/ Sotogrande and The Alto Club

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Click to find out more about the CPG Collection 

Joe Brazil’s coaching journey spans more than 30 years, four continents, and every level of the game – from grassroots juniors to elite international pathways. Now a PGA Advanced Professional at Yas Acres within the Viya Golf Performance Institute at CPG Collection Member, Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Joe brings a perspective shaped not by trends or quick fixes, but by repeated exposure to what actually holds up under pressure, across cultures, climates, and competitive contexts.

This Q&A explores the practical lessons that emerge when coaching is viewed as a long-term development process rather than a short-term intervention. From junior pathways and women’s participation to cultural adaptability and sustainable performance models, Joe’s insights offer a useful case study for PGA Professionals looking to build programmes and coaching businesses that endure.

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Your coaching career spans more than three decades and four continents. How have those global experiences shaped your coaching philosophy, and what do you bring from them into your work at Yas Acres today?

JB – Wow – three decades really have flown by!

Having spent more than 30 years coaching across four continents, I’ve learned that elite golf performance is never a one-size-fits-all approach.

Early in my career, I focused heavily on technique. However, working at the highest levels taught me that lasting improvement comes from understanding the individual player – their movement patterns, decision-making, competitive demands, and mindset under pressure. My global experience sharpened my ability to adapt and read people. Different cultures, communication styles, and learning approaches all influence performance. In an individual sport like golf, trust and clarity between coach and player are essential, and I found that strong relationships are particularly important for success in Asia.

I believe sustainable performance is built on strong fundamentals, efficient movement, and repeatable processes – not short-term fixes. I’ve seen technology advance significantly over the years, and while data is a valuable tool, it is most effective when aligned with feel, intent and competitive context.

In my role at Yas Acres as a PGA Advanced Professional, I work with players of all nationalities, cultures, and abilities. That global experience fits perfectly here in the UAE, and we’re fortunate to have a very passionate and dedicated team at Yas Acres.

You’ve worked closely with junior golfers throughout your career – from HSBC Wee Wonders in the UK to elite development pathways in South Korea and the USA. Why is junior and long-term player development so important to the future of the game, and how is that reflected in the programmes at the Viya Golf Performance Institute?

JB – I’ve worked closely with junior golfers since turning professional in 1993. I was Head Coach for HSBC Wee Wonders when players such as Tommy Fleetwood, Charley Hull, and Tyrrell Hatton were competing in the Wee Wonders British Championships. Coaching juniors has always been a passion of mine.

Developing elite juniors for success in collegiate golf was a dream role for me in the USA, where I spent three years as Director of Instruction at an elite junior academy on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. During that time, we helped players progress to collegiate golf – one being Ewen Ferguson, who has since gone on to achieve great success on the DP World Tour.

Junior golf is essential to the future of the game. It develops not only skilled players, but also the values that define golf – discipline, integrity, resilience, and respect. At the Yas Acres Junior Golf Programme, our focus is on long-term development rather than short-term results. We teach sound fundamentals and athletic movement in a positive, fun, and age-appropriate environment. Just as importantly, we help juniors build confidence, independence, and a genuine love for the game.

By developing players first and golfers second, the Viya Golf Performance Institute at Yas Acres is helping to grow the game and build a strong future for golf – one swing at a time.

Since returning to Abu Dhabi and joining Yas Acres, what excites you most about the opportunity here – both in terms of coaching and the wider golf ecosystem being built in the UAE?

JB – After spending the last five winters coaching at Europe’s busiest academy in London with N1 Golf, I was very excited to return to year-round sunshine in Abu Dhabi. I love my job, but after ten hours of coaching with cold feet, the climate was definitely a big factor!

I was also excited to work again alongside Karl Whitehead, our Cluster General Manager for Viya Golf, who is truly moving the needle here in Abu Dhabi.

Golf is booming in the UAE, and what excites me most about Yas Acres is the opportunity to be part of a club that values people, development and community just as much as performance. With world-class practice facilities, Yas Acres is an outstanding place to coach and develop golfers from around the world.

The wider Abu Dhabi golf ecosystem is ambitious, connected, and future-focused. There is a clear commitment to growing the game, developing talent and creating pathways for the next generation. Being part of an environment that invests in the future of golf while maintaining high standards today is genuinely inspiring.

Women’s participation in golf continues to grow, and Viya places a strong emphasis on creating inclusive pathways for female players. From your experience as a coach, how important is it to actively support women in the game, and how is that reflected in the programmes and culture at Yas Acres?

JB – Women’s participation in golf continues to rise, and Viya is leading the way by creating inclusive pathways that give female players every opportunity to thrive.

At Yas Acres, this is reflected in our ladies’ development programmes and Ladies Golf Coffee Mornings, where I encourage, support, and challenge women to reach their full potential in a fun and social environment. Together, we’re not only growing participation, we’re helping to shape the future of women’s golf in the UAE.

To find out more about the facilities at Viya Golf’s Yas Links, including the new Golf Academy, the 18-hole championship course and the par-3 course, visit: viyagolf.com/yaslinks.

In Golf World’s definitive Top 100 European Courses – published in early November – Sotogrande’s venues continue to impress, with two of the three courses featured climbing higher in the standings.

Real Club Sotogrande rises to #10, strengthening its position among Europe’s elite; La Reserva Club advances to #52, an impressive result despite several major new entries to this year’s list; and Real Club Valderrama remains a benchmark of European championship golf pedigree at #6 in the list.

Golf World’s accompanying supplement ranks Sotogrande among Europe’s most exceptional golf destinations. La Reserva Club, which climbs in this year’s ranking, is praised for Cabell B. Robinson’s design that “makes superb use of its hillside terrain” and is “presented to an exceptional standard.” Meanwhile, Real Club Sotogrande secures its place in Europe’s top ten as a “Robert Trent Jones Snr classic presented immaculately,” recognised for delivering an “enduringly high-calibre experience.”

Sotogrande’s collective strength is further endorsed by National Club Golfer’s European Top 100 Resorts list, where the destination holds firm at #3, retaining its title as the highest-ranked golf resort in Spain. The upcoming edition again celebrates Sotogrande’s exceptional blend of world-class golf, Andalusian lifestyle, and timeless appeal.

“These latest rankings confirm Sotogrande’s enduring appeal as Europe’s leading golf destination,” said Rita Jordão, Director of Marketing for Sotogrande SA. “We are proud of the continued recognition across our courses in Sotogrande, particularly for La Reserva Club, which embodies the evolution of the Sotogrande experience: elegant, contemporary, and uncompromising in quality.”

Visitors can experience Sotogrande’s world-class golf first-hand, with limited tee times available at Real Club Valderrama, Real Club Sotogrande, and La Reserva Club. The best way to secure access to these exclusive courses is through a stay-and-play golf package with the multi-awarded SO/ Sotogrande Spa and Golf Resort.

The resort is also home to The Alto Club and Golf Academy, the destination’s fourth course, recently relaunched after a complete transformation of the former Almenara course to offer a relaxed, yet high quality, accessible experience for players of all levels with golf legend Suzann Pettersen as global ambassador; a truly innovative and bold concept – the first of its kind in Spain.

To know more about The Alto Club, head to: altogolfclub.com/a>

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, the Chairman of TEMES S.A. – developers of Costa Navarino, is the latest recipient of the CPG Special Recognition Award.

His enduring support of the CPG and its activities has earned him the Award that looks to acknowledge the help and support shown by individuals and organisations that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to assist the CPG and its Member Countries.

Constantakopoulos has continuously supported the organisation since Costa Navarino – the sustainably driven destination in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese – was launched. The destination has hosted and partnered with the CPG on events and activities, and has worked with the CPG on Costa Navarino’s own Pro-Am now in the form of the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am, whilst also playing a vital role in the development of the PGA of Greece, its Members and the sport overall in Greece.

“ I’m truly honoured to receive this award and deeply grateful to CPG for your support and our longstanding partnership in making Costa Navarino in Greece, a world renowned golf destination,” said Constantakopoulos during his acceptance speech at the CPG Festival of Golf at Saïdia Resorts in Morocco.

“Our shared love for the game and common values have been the foundation of this enduring relationship with CPG and its Member Countries. We remain committed to investing in excellence, offering both professionals and amateurs an unparalleled experience that blends the unspoiled beauty of the Messinian landscape, warm hospitality, and world class facilities.

“Your contribution in putting Costa Navarino on the map as a premier golf destination has been great.”

Costa Navarino features 4 world class golf courses and has been named “World’s Best Golf Venue” at the World Golf Awards. The destination is also home to four 5* hotels: The Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, W Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, while also featuring luxury private residences, and many year-round activities and authentic experiences.

The founder of Costa Navarino, Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos and his best friend, founder of AEGEAN, Theodoros Vassilakis – also a recipient of the Special Recognition Award in 2015 – were able to create a lasting legacy for golf in Greece, which is something that Achilles V. Constantakopoulos has grasped and forged ahead with incredible dedication.

“As Theodore, Katia and the team at AEGEAN looked to further develop their fantastic Pro-Am and continue to put Greece on the golfing map, I was very fortunate to be introduced to Achilles and visit Costa Navarino with them all at the very beginning, and witness an amazing vision,” added CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell.

“Achilles has more than turned that vision into reality and we are so proud to be able to call them partners, but more importantly friends. What they have achieved is something extraordinary!”

CPG Member, the PGA of Greece, also continues to develop thanks in part at least to Costa Navarino’s creation/provision of opportunities for professionals to learn, work and compete.

To find out more about the Annual Awards and the Festival of Golf visit cp.golf/festival.

Christoph Guenther took the professional honours at the AESGC International Pro-Am at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club [AESGC] in UAE, after consistently low scoring throughout the week edged him ahead of the field.

The PGA of Germany Professional duelled in the desert with the PGA of Belgium’s Guillaume Watremez all week but was able to come out on top with a final round 68 for a -13 total.

“It is really, really good to win. It’s my second time here in Al Ain…I’ve worked really hard the last couple of months on my game so it feels really good to get rewarded,” said Guenther.

“I knew I was one ahead coming down 18 and I thought just go for it anyway. I’m not very good at laying up, so I just hit the best three wood of the week and knocked it on the green and two putted. I think my team really, really enjoyed it – Al Ain has got a real character to it and AESGC is just a course you are happy to play again and again. That’s why the team and I really enjoy coming here.”

Despite a week of rounds in the 60s, Watremez was unable to catch the eventual winner, but took second place on -11, followed by Erik Lindwall (PGA of Sweden) and Alex Wrigley (PGA of Great Britain & Ireland) in a tie for third at -9.

Watremez might not have taken the individual honours, but together to with his team of Benoit Pierlot, Philippe Van Durme and Michel Goffin, the team event was wrapped up in style with a total of 365 points. Just three points behind after four rounds of competition were the team of Kanatbek Kurbanaliev, Lee Vladimir, Dominov Ravshan and Elyor Akromov with 362 points, followed by Linus Netterlid (PGA of Sweden), Pierre Malteskog, Tomas Carlsson and Peter Öhlin with 339 points in third place.

For full final scores from the 9th AESGC International Pro-Am visit https://cp.golf/9thAESGC, and for more information on Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club visit aesgc.com.

VISIT TOURNAMENT HUB PAGE

Here are three simple reasons why coaching can be a money-spinner in the short- and long-term…

1 – Additional Service

Starting or ending the season with a coaching trip overseas while the weather is inclement back home gives you extra time to generate revenue whilst offering a service that sets you a part from your competition.

2 – Relationship Reinforcement

Taking groups abroad on coaching trips give you the opportunity to reinforce the relationship between you and your clients and get to know them better even off the golf course. This will definitely also lead to selling further coaching packages to them throughout the year upon return.

3 – Clients Will Sing Your Praises

The best marketing is word of mouth, and happy clients returning from the great golf trip you organised will help promote you business back home and advertise future trips!

The Confederation of Professional Golf Travel Club in partnership with Golf Escapes provides PGA Professionals with a hub to easily access the very best golf travel and coaching trip packages available at a selection of the world’s top golf clubs, venues, resorts and destinations.

Find Out More at http://eur.pe/TravelClub