Oce®nico Developments is strengthening its position in the luxury golf market with the appointment of Troon Golf®, the luxury golf club management company, to manage its new five-star Verde Golf resorts in the Azores.
The agreement sees Troon Golf take over all management operations at Oce®nico’s existing Batalha and Furnas courses on the island of San Miguel from this month, with future new golf courses in the Azores also covered by the contract.
Over the next four years Oce®nico Developments will deliver €300 million worth of investments in the Azores to further develop golf and holiday facilities on the archipelago, with a further €400 million in investments to be delivered during later phases of the project.
The appointment of Troon Golf as the management company is the first step in this investment, with much of the initial funding directed at improving the 27-hole Batalha and 18-hole Furnas golf courses. The two courses, along with their clubhouses and additional property, form Verde Golf, which Oce®nico Developments acquired from the Azores Government in a joint venture bid with Grupo Siram earlier this year.
Troon Golf is a leader in upscale golf course and private club management, and currently manages more than 185 courses and elite private clubs around the World including the USA, Europe, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
Oce®nico Developments‘ managing director Simon Burgess, commented, “We are committed to developing golf resorts that offer the finest experience and that incorporates everything from the quality of the greens and fairways, to the dining experience, and overall service. We know how to build a fantastic golf resort, but for the day-to-day management we needed a partner who had expertise and an unrivalled enthusiasm for offering the best service across all operations.
“Troon is second to none in the quality it delivers throughout its golf club management, and we are delighted to be working with them. The Azores is a relatively new destination for golfers, however with the investment in the current courses, combined with the new resorts we have planned, the islands will become increasingly popular with players keen to try a new, high quality golfing experience.”
The development of the golf resort at Batalha will offer a choice of luxury accommodation including villas, apartments and a four-star hotel with leisure and spa facilities, and is designed to be one of Europe’s finest golf developments.
Paul Dellanzo, vice president, European Operations for Troon Golf, added, “Troon prides itself on offering an exclusive experience at the world’s greatest golf properties. At all of our courses we are committed to offering superior playing surfaces, outstanding service and high quality amenities, a combination that has established us as the foremost luxury golf brand.
“Oce®nico has this same focus on quality and service, with their investment in the Azores set to establish the islands as a key area for golfers around the world. The two existing Verde Golf courses of Batalha and Furnas are stunning, and with the new developments and our management we are looking forward to welcoming a growing number of players.”
Made up of nine volcanic islands, the Azores were recently voted one of the best undiscovered golfing destinations in the World by the IGTM (International Golf Travel Market).
The 27-hole Batalha course was designed in 1986 by Cameron Powell and is situated on the north coast of San Miguel, overlooking the sea between the capital of the island, Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande. Its sister course, the 18-hole Furnas Golf Course, is located 30 minutes south of this in the mountains of San Miguel – the first nine holes were designed in 1936 by McKenzie Ross, the designer of the Ailsa course at The Westin Turnberry Resort in Scotland, while the second nine were completed by Cameron Powell in 1986.
Future Oce®nico Group golf developments are being finalised on Portugal’s Silver Coast in Obidos, and Verde Golf in the Azores
Oce®nico Developments www.oceanicodevelopments.com
Troon Golf www.troongolf.com
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