“Michlifen also works closely with the Royal Golf Federation of Morocco, whose mission is to develop and promote the practice of golf and organise and manage competitions. We are working closely together to help grow the game of golf in this part of Morocco, and we’re actually running two school projects with the local community offering kids from Ifrane and Bensmim the opportunity to try golf and learn more about the game.”
“I was made aware of it and then I had to apply with the other 350 people that applied for the role, and that’s when you then get into the snob factor of hoteliers that don’t think a PGA professional can do their role. But there isn’t any difference in managing it. When I worked at Gleneagles, the general manager wouldn’t be that involved in the commercial revenue management of the hotel rooms.”
“When I started out in the industry all those years ago at Royal Liverpool, my role was very much all based around golf operations, and although it was different at Sunningdale in terms of the environment I was in, I knew if I was to develop my skillset into a more senior role, I needed to become more rounded. Being exposed to all areas of the golf resort, as I was at Sandhurst, taught me so much and it is what I am seeing and appreciating at Apes Hill.”
“I recall when I left Valderrama that there were questions asked of me why I would want to leave to manage a resort course on the other side of the Atlantic. But after speaking with the owners who have plans to not only invest heavily in the golf course but also the golf-related infrastructure in the vicinity, the opportunity was simply too good to turn down.”
“Another thing we want to do on the course is remove the thinking that yellow markers are for men, and red are for women. It should be more about your level of ability, and if you are playing with a handicap less than ten play from the back tees because you’ll enjoy a completely different course. Likewise, if you play between 28-36, then why not play from the red tees because your experience will be far better.”
Now owned by Mira Hotels, Acaya Golf Resort & Spa is one of three golf resorts owned by the group which also include Riva Toscana nestled in the Tuscan Hills and Borgo Di Luce I Monasteri in Sicily. An expanse of olive trees and Mediterranean maquis surrounds the elegant four-star resort that embraces the architectural traditions of the region, reminiscent of ancient monasteries within a charming Mediterranean setting.