This year, The Marriott Hotel – La Sella Golf Resort, celebrates their 26th successful year in Denia, and in business, on the Costa Blanca. Success that comes in many forms.
I met with Carlos Garcia (Director Gerente), to ask him what he believes makes La Sella so popular with not only the golfing community, but visiting internationals and expatriates, who have made this part of Spain their home? The answer was as I expected, far beyond a single sentence. In fact the answer to my question filled a little over an hour.
“There are so many reasons. It really is a community we are talking about. A community that continues to grow year after year. Many of our guests return year after year, and those guests introduce their friends, who do the same. Our no.1 priority always, is service. Our success shows that we have got this right…
Absolutely everything that we do here is focused on making this a wonderful experience for our clients and visitors. And I believe it shows.”
My interview with Carlos had taken place on a perfectly shaded terrace which overlooks the pristine grounds of the course. With little more than a few birds happily chirping somewhere in the distance, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would take to maintain such an immense area. Let alone what it takes to keep it looking that way all year round?
It’s Hard Work – And it Shows
Truthfully, in my minds eye, I imagined a troop of men and women crawling on their hands and knees with tiny scissors snipping a lone blade of grass that dared to grow above the rest. But to my surprise, it takes a lot less than I imagined. (People that is… not work).
“We have just forty staff members, all of which I am sure, feel the way that I do about our responsibility towards the client. The forty include me of course (he smiles), the groundsmen and women, events staff, restaurant, sports shop and bar workers. We all work great together.”
Now most of us, (me included), may have assumed the golfing experience to be an overly expensive one. So I was surprised to hear that a full yearly membership cost just €2000 euro. Broken down to 364 days a year (you can do the math), means that you can play all day every day if you so wish. Making this sport/hobby considerably more affordable than most. The La Sella course has but one day off it seems, on December 25th – for a well earned and well deserved rest.
Ladies that Play Golf
For four years running, La Sella proudly held The European Nations Cup where the Worlds best female golfers played, generating €1.2million per year from Investors. In fact, La Sella provides the largest golfing facilities in Spain for female golfers.
When I met with Carlos, the hotel was full to capacity. The Spanish (Vuelta) cycling teams had just arrived for their two day trials and the foyer was buzzing with life – but this was not unusual he told me looking calm and serene.
“From March to October we are like this, the other four months we can breathe a little, but only a little. We have many events taking place all year round, so we are always busy – and we like it that way.”
So what exactly does the La Sella Golf Resort do throughout the “winter” months? When Carlos immediately ordered us coffee, I took it as a sign that – they do A LOT.
Big Names and Big Brands
In January, career professionals (rookie players) who are at the first stage of their career arrive to train. Big name brand sponsors like Lacoste, Mercedes Benz and BMW are always present, as are celebrity golfers. The Cambell Lamont Texas Scramble sponsorship tournament is held on the last Sunday of every month, where La Sella competes with Oliva Nova.
The course was designed by professional golfer Jose Maria Olazabal (nickname Ollie) who makes several guest appearances throughout the year. On June 19, 2013, Olazábal was presented with Spain’s most prestigious sporting honor, the Prince of Asturias Award in recognition of his accomplishments as a player and leader of the 2012 Ryder Cup team. He is the second golfer to be honored since the awards were launched in 1987; Seve Ballesteros was honored in 1989.
To book your Tee-time, a reservation is required
Phone: +34 96 6454252
- Greens fees apply
- Rentals and Lessons
- Driving range and Putting green
- La Sella Golf Course: 27 holes, 6,072 yards. Par for course: 72
The Marriott Hotel and Golf Resort truly is a community, with so much going on each and every day, including business and charitable events. In fact, keep an eye out for the Marriott Hotel’s LARGEST Event in the Calendar year – ‘Scottish Burns Night.’ An event you DO NOT want to miss – sponsored by McCallum’s Whiskey it is a sit down dinner serenaded by Bag-pipers galore.
For events and bookings call: +34 96-645-4054
