INFINITUM has cemented its association with The European Tour group after becoming the latest venue to join the European Tour Destinations network. Located on Spain’s Costa Dorada, INFINITUM is one of Europe’s premier golf, lifestyle and real-estate resorts, presenting championship golf facilities, modern gastronomy and a multi-award-winning beach club. Home to 45 holes of championship golf, the venue has long been closely associated with The European Tour group, successfully hosting the DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage for a seventh time this November as part of a new extended three-year partnership. INFINITUM also played host for the DP World Tour’s ISPS Handa Championship in 2022. With a close relationship already in place, joining European Tour Destinations was a natural step for INFINITUM as the resort joins a global network of world-class golf venues across 21 countries on three continents. Ian Knox, Head of European Tour Destinations, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming INFINITUM into the European Tour Destinations family. “Having hosted DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on seven occasions, and with at least the next two iterations of the tournament being held here, the resort has already built up a close association with The European Tour group. We look forward to this new partnership, working with the team on the ground and showcasing the outstanding experience at INFINITUM to our wider network.” The network includes some of the most prestigious golf and lifestyle resorts in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean, with many of the venues home to courses, which consistently feature prominently in international rankings. By joining, venues create a unique partnership which ensures that all guests can enjoy the outstanding experience to be expected from the family of one of the game’s foremost organisations. Joaquín Mora Bertrán, deputy general manager at INFINITUM, said: “Becoming part of the European Tour Destinations network is an important milestone for our resort. It recognises the quality of our courses, our facilities and the hard work of our entire team. We look forward to welcoming players and guests from around the world and continuing to showcase INFINITUM as one of Europe’s premier golfing destinations.” Joining the European Tour Destinations network is not only a sign of the quality of INFINITUM’s golf facilities, but also a reflection on the overall quality of the venue. Xavier Lozano, director of Real Estate Development at INFINITUM, said: “Joining European Tour Destinations reinforces our commitment to creating a best-in-class lifestyle environment for current and future homeowners. For prospective property buyers, it provides an additional layer of trust and international recognition, an assurance that they are investing in a community aligned with one of the most prestigious organisations in world golf.”

Viya has strengthened its long standing relationship with European Tour Destinations with the addition of Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club to the network. The partnership already included three of Viya and Dubai’s most recognised golf venues Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Resort and Jumeirah Golf Estates and now extends across the United Arab Emirates through Viya’s two championship venues in Abu Dhabi. Host to the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Yas Links Abu Dhabi is a World Top 100 course and the home of links golf in the Middle East. It combines world-class design, outstanding playing surfaces, and an authentic coastal challenge that has helped elevate the region’s international reputation. It remains one of the most admired and influential golf venues in the Middle East. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is a luxury beachfront destination and the first Audubon certified course in the United Arab Emirates. Set along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, it reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and offers a relaxed, yet refined, playing experience framed by panoramic sea views. It is regarded as one of the country’s most scenic and environmentally conscious golfing venues. Christopher May, CEO of Viya, said: “Expanding our relationship with European Tour Destinations through the addition of Yas Links and Saadiyat Beach represents an important step in the continued international development of our portfolio. We have seen the value of this partnership first-hand through our clubs in Dubai and we remain committed to strengthening our collaboration with the group. This expansion also brings meaningful benefits to our members by providing access to a wider network of world class destinations and enriching the overall value of their club experience.” Ian Knox, Head of European Tour Destinations, added: “Viya has consistently demonstrated a clear commitment to world-class experiences across its venues and we are very pleased to welcome Yas Links and Saadiyat Beach into our network. The existing partnership with Viya’s Dubai clubs has already shown the strength of our collaboration and the addition of these two acclaimed Abu Dhabi courses creates one of the most comprehensive collections of member venues within our portfolio. It also provides an excellent motivation for members from across the network to visit the United Arab Emirates and experience the very best of this exceptional golfing destination.” The expanded partnership provides all five Viya venues with access to European Tour Destinations expertise across tournament strategy, operational development and global marketing. Clubs also benefit from ongoing support in areas such as guest experience, course conditioning and long term planning, with Viya teams gaining year-round development through European Tour Destinations workshops, audits and conferences that help refine standards, accelerate innovation and strengthen the global positioning of each venue. Members of the above Viya clubs will enjoy preferred access to leading destinations within the network, including former Ryder Cup venues Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy and Le Golf National in France, as well as 2031 host venue, Camiral Golf & Wellness in Spain.

Championship golf, authentic Messinian hospitality and fairways overlooking the Ionian Sea combined to deliver another memorable week of action on and off the course at the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am 2025 – a headline event on the annual sporting calendar at Costa Navarino. Twenty-seven teams from 14 countries gathered at the sustainably driven destination for the finale to Costa Navarino’s golf season, in the breathtaking setting of Greece’s southwest Peloponnese. This year’s event took place from November 19-23 across three of Costa Navarino’s four 18-hole signature golf courses – The Dunes Course, The Hills Course and the International Olympic Academy Golf Course. Featuring a total prize fund of €32,000, professionals and amateurs were offered the chance to combine world-class golf with a wealth of unique experiences at the revamped The Westin Resort Costa Navarino.   Sanctioned by the Confederation of Professional Golf and supported by the Hellenic Golf Federation and the PGA of Greece, the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am 2025 attracted players from all over the world, with Spain’s Liam Murray claiming a popular two-stroke victory in the professional competition, which also featured a hole-in-one by Greece’s Dimitros Vlachos on the eighth hole of the International Olympic Academy Golf Course in the second round. Competition was strong with Spanish PGA Murray scoring a final one-under round of 70 enough to close out victory ahead of his nearest challengers, with Federico Elli (PGA of Italy), Christos Nikopoulos (PGA of Greece), Alessandro Tadini (PGA of Italy) and Matyas Zapletal (PGA of Czech Republic) sharing second place. Murray said: “It feels fantastic to win. I came close the last two times I was here so to win in this amazing place feels great. I only looked at the leaderboard on 16 after I made par. And then I looked again on 18 and it showed Zapletal had made birdie on 16. So, I realised I needed to make a birdie up the last to have a chance, and I managed to do that. “I’ve had a wonderful time this week. The hotel is amazing, the golf courses are great, and the views are stunning. It’s been such a memorable week, and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of coming.” There was plenty for the quartet of PGA of Greece professional Adam Kritikos, Theodosis Athanasopoulos, Paola Del Vecchio and Sandro Treve to celebrate in the team competition, as they took victory with a winning total of 261 Stableford points. Away from the course, competitors, friends and families had the opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy a rich and engaging programme of social events that highlighted the warm hospitality that Greece is renowned for, before the pro-am was brought to a memorable conclusion with a prize-giving ceremony hosted by Sky Sports Golf presenter Kit Alexander. The next edition of the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am 2026 that will be a 20 year anniversary tournament, will take place at Costa Navarino from June 24-28, 2026, and to pre-register, please click here. AEGEAN was the title sponsor and the official

“I really don’t like talking about myself,” admitted Franco Botha, Director of Golf Operations at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, at the start of our interview. It was an unexpected confession from someone recently crowned Golf Operations Manager of the Year at the 59Club Global Service Excellence Awards, but perhaps telling of Botha’s approach to leadership. “I won because of the team I have around me,” he said. “We won Golf Operations Team of the Year two years running at the 59Club MEA Awards in 2024 and 2025, so it’s a very talented group and we take great pride in what we do. To win that award once is great, but to retain it is special.” At the inaugural 59Club global awards, five managers in different areas of the industry were recognised for their ‘highest standards of professionalism, passion and innovation, inspiring their teams and setting a global benchmark for service excellence’. Validation “I’ve had moments in the past, as most people have, where I’ve doubted myself, but the award was like a validation, a confirmation that I’m heading in the right direction,” said Botha, who moved to the Middle East in 2010 from his native South Africa and held roles at Saadiyat Beach Club in Abu Dhabi, The Els Club in Dubai and Royal Golf Club, Bahrain before joining Jumeirah Golf Estates in 2023. “I’ve had the opportunity to work for some great leaders and others who were more challenging. Each experience offered valuable lessons. “I’ve been very fortunate that most of my superiors have been willing to invest time in my development – Paul Booth (currently General Manager at Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah) in particular. He used to say he had no issue with people below him eventually overtaking him because it gives him great joy to see others grow and develop.” Motivation Botha believes he and his team “now have targets on their backs” as their competition in the region tries to match them. “It’s a good thing,” said Botha. “The UAE is pretty competitive. We all get along but we push each other.  “The work started as soon as I got back (from The Belfry). I believe the event is in Dubai next year and we have our sights set on retaining the awards.” Rutger Smits from The Dutch, who was named F&B Manager of the Year at the 59Club Europe Awards in March, also believes the awards provide motivation for him and his team. “The awards are purely based on the results of mystery shopper visits, so every day there’s a possibility of having one,” said Smits, who was previously a chef and restaurant owner before joining The Dutch 10 years ago. “It motivates you to be your best all year round. “We’re a private members’ club, so when you look at the other nominees on the shortlist – particularly those from larger, more commercial resorts, it makes me very proud to be considered among them. “To earn this recognition is