The Professional Golfers‘ Association has announced that a strategic partnership has been formed with Calidona which will entail the PGA endorsing Calidona’s four Spanish venues with the PGA brand. This will be the first such relationship in mainland Europe.
Formed in 1901, the PGA is the world’s oldest professional golfers‘ association and now has 7,500 qualified members including more than 1,500 working overseas in more than 50 different countries.
Existing PGA branded facilities include the PGA National Golf Course and PGA National Golf academy at the De Vere Belfry, the PGA Centenary Golf Course at Gleneagles, and the PGA Golf Academy in Bejing, China. However, this is the PGA’s first endorsement of facilities in mainland Europe.
Calidona is firmly committed to delivering excellence and producing outstanding golfing facilities. The Company is working with some of the most respected professionals across its portfolio – such as Dave Thomas, former Ryder Cup player and world renowned golf course designer; Sam Torrance, former Ryder Cup captain; and Jose Maria Olazabal, Ryder Cup player.
The unique development of four branded golf academies at the four Calidona venues in the South East region of Spain:-
Roda Golf and Beach Resort – PGA Golf Academy
Corvera Golf & Country Club – PGA’s of Europe Training Academy & PGA Golf Academy
Ballabona Golf and Country Club – PGA Golf Academy and PGA Golf Course (to be known as The PGA of Almeria)
Alhama – PGA Golf Academy and PGA Golf Course (to be known as The PGA of Murcia)
The first project Roda Golf & Beach Resort will have state of the art video and custom-fit golf technology which will be used for both professionals and amateurs.
The world class golf facilities at Roda have been designed to encourage players of all abilities and the different course configurations provide a demanding challenge for both amateurs and professionals.
The golf course has been designed by Dave Thomas and the academy has been designed to comply with the technical requirements of the PGA. The golf facilities, the 5-star 150 bedroom hotel and the private beach club will be managed by De Vere Hotels, the UK hotel chain, specialising in ownership and management of high quality golf hotels and resorts.
Corvera Golf & Country Club will become the “PGA’s of Europe Training Academy”, where golf professionals from all over Europe will be able to train all year round – especially during the winter months when the weather conditions in their own country may prevent them from playing and practicing. The PGA’s of Europe will also have their overseas office on site. In the initial stages, these facilities will be provided at Roda Golf & Beach Resort until the Corvera resort is completed.
As at Roda Golf & Beach Resort, the golf course at Corvera Golf & Country Club will be created to a very high quality in conjunction with the Integral Golf Design by Jose Maria Olazabal and in accordance with the PGA’s standards and specific requirements.
According to Bruno Dureux, Calidona’s managing director, “The business model of Calidona and the quality of our projects has rapidly made Calidona one of the most outstanding promoters of residential golf complexes in unique locations. Our privileged location, in the region of Murcia, 10 minutes away from the airport of San Javier and five minutes from the Mediterranean Sea, makes it possible, for players from all of Europe, to enjoy the practice of golf 365 days of the year.
It gives us great pride and satisfaction that such a prestigious international institution like the PGA has shown trust in the Calidona projects. We hope that this is only the beginning of a long partnership with the PGA and that in the not too distant future we can share other professional challenges together.”
PGA www.pga.info