In 2008, Lumine opened its doors for the very first time, offering 45 spectacular golf holes across three golf courses, each with its own personality and design. After twelve exciting years, Lumine can already boast and exceptional resume of awards, accolades and events. These important milestones have laid the pathway to a much wider vision, with the team looking to secure globally recognised awards and events in the coming years.
2020 has presented a whole host of emotions and stories for Lumine, as it has for all organisations within the industry; from signing a three-year contract extension as the host venue of the European Tour’s Final Qualifying School Stage, employing some of the industry’s finest management talent, to closing its doors for the second time in 6 months. In a world full of uncertainty and anxiety, Lumine continue to demonstrate their ambitions and determination to work efficiently together, expand their offering and improve the experience for employees, members and guests.
Earlier this year, Agustin Garcia Pascual, joined the business as Chief Business Officer, just as the global pandemic started to gain considerable momentum and directly impact the golf industry. His appointment, a significant long-term investment from the ownership group, will play a pivotal role in overcoming the global challenges in the current climate and plan for the future.
“We have an exceptional vision at Lumine, and the work has already started on creating a world-class experience, providing outstanding product, service and quality, to our teams, members and guests, he commented.
“The team are on a transformational journey, one that will hopefully guide other venues in Spain and Europe. We are looking at a whole host of exciting projects to help develop the business, from guest experience to future event planning, the future is very stimulating”.
The changes delivered over the past few years have been ground-breaking, an eco-first approach to golf course maintenance, operations and employment have resulted in globally recognised awards. New measures have contributed to the removal of 120,000 water bottles each year, protection of endangered species, continued usage and upgrades to an impressive water recycling system, 30% reduction on usage of fertilizers and replacement of all chemicals to biological alternatives and the replace of on-course furniture with 100% recycled plastics.
Positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the Costa Daurada, a native forest area renowned for historic landmarks and hiking, the resort is certified by a group of environmental agencies, including Golf Environment Organisation (GEO), Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
Lumine will continue to promote their efforts in shaping a better future, not only for the endangered species in and around the courses, but for the employees, guests and visitors to the club. In recent weeks, the club has been awarded a Global Safe Site Certification by Bureau Veritas, recognised for demonstrating first-class delivery on regulations and recommendations outlined by the relevant health authorities, as well as going above and beyond the measures required by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health. It is granted to establishments that meet the relevant requirements by supporting the monitoring of disinfection and cleaning protocols, as well as the implementation of all the necessary security measures in the fight against Covid-19.
Whilst the impact still remains, and the course is quiet, the team are determined to progressively impact the game of golf and demonstrate their ongoing desire to increase the number of golfers actively playing. At the start of September, Lumine pledged its support to the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, becoming the first golf club in Spain to do so. The agreement presented a whole host of exciting initiatives including; weekly women-only group golf lessons, increasing membership by 50% and becoming an official venue for Women’s Golf Day 2020. The aim is to introduce new female players to the sport through teaching the basic skills of golf and developing their confidence to tackle the golf course.
Included in Lumine’s development strategy is he growth of Amateur players, facilitating their dream in reaching tour contracts as demonstrated by the hosting of the European Tour’s Qualifying School Final Stages. The most recent of these steps showcases the connectivity to other countries across Europe, as the Swiss Golf Association have partnered with Lumine, becoming the country’s national team winter training base for three months in 2021.
The recent investment into the club provides an excellent experience on and off the course, offering first-class dining and leisure experiences within two state-of-the-art clubhouses, an exciting and social Toptracer range facility, and a breath-taking beach club located within a picturesque Pine forest on the Costa Daurada coast.
In many circumstances, the investment in people showcases the future vision of a facility, and this has been amplified by the commitment from Lumine, focusing on employing exceptional talent, individuals with a proven track record in developing and sustaining first-class golf facilities.
The latest of those exciting appointments is Rita Jordao, Sales & Marketing Director, who has joined from PGA Catalunya Resort. Her impressive CV showcases responsibility for leading several high-profile projects across Europe’s top golf organisations, including Quinta do Lago and Your Golf Travel, all of which followed an established career in journalism and communications.
Another new key member of the team is Pablo Guerrero Jaureguizar, Operations Director, who will lead the team in their aspirations on reaching the highest level of service and delivery. Pablo arrives with strong leadership experience after heading up the Golf Operations at one of the most popular clubs on the Costa del Sol – Real Club de Golf Guadalmina.
Amongst exceptional circumstances the present has and will continue to be challenging for the industry, however the future looks exciting for Lumine; the foundations have been strengthened, the facilities improved, the partnerships extended and the quality augmented – Lumine is positioning itself for a huge future.