Golf industry leaders come in many guises. Some come from the world of commerce; some from the greenkeeping shed, and many from the practice range.

A few aspiring professional golfers have moved from the course to the office after realising that life on tour is tougher than it looks, yet rarely has anymore in world golf progressed from the world of professional football, to become the chief business officer of one of Spain’s foremost golf and beach communities.

A former professional footballer with Racing Santander in Spain, Agustín García Pascual has a remarkable story to tell. Born in 1970, Pascual was raised in a world of professional sport as he explains: “I was born in a family where all my mother’s side family were all golfing Spanish amateur champions. My dad played for Santander as well, football wise.

“I didn’t know what [sport] to choose, so I chose both,” he recalls fondly.

“I grew up at a golf course, Real Golf de Pedreña back home in Santander. We’re known because of Seve Ballesteros. Seve was born there, grew up there, died unfortunately there as well.

“I grew up playing golf. I loved it. I loved golf much more than football, but I was better at football. I had to do both to keep my dad and my mum both happy.”

After playing for Real Madrid at under 19 level, Pascual moved to Racing Santander aged 21, and realised his dream of playing for his hometown club. After a brief period in the second team, Pascual established himself as a first team regular, helping them win promotion to La Liga that season and the chance to play against the Galácticos of Spanish football, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

But then a cruel twist of fate, quite literally shattered Pascual’s dreams of playing at the pinnacle of Spanish football after breaking his foot during a match against local rivals.

After undergoing seven surgeries to try and save his career, aged 25 Pascual was forced to hang-up his professional boots, and moved to San Diego in the US to study golf management at the San Diego Golf Academy.

Pascual spent three years in San Diego studying golf complex operations and general management, and whilst in the US, was spotted playing football with friends at a local park one day. One thing led to another, and before he knew it, Pascual was playing for the San Diego Sockers.

“I ended up playing one year for San Diego, and then one year for Washington DC, having surgeries after every season. Back then, if you came from Europe you were good enough to play for them,” he laughed.

After two seasons playing in the US, and finishing his golf degree, Pascual had an offer to play for the San Jose Clash in the MLS, and even signed a pre-contract, before returning to Spain for yet another operation on his foot.

“I always had surgeries in Barcelona with the same doctor,” recalls Pascual, “and I already had a plane ticket to return to Orlando, to Disney World, for the pre-season with the San Jose Clash.”

But whilst back in Barcelona, Pascal learnt of a new golf project close by that was still in development and was asked to assist with the opening.

“Although I had the option to return to The States and play soccer for one more year, I had to think about my future, which was in golf, and not football. So, I turned down the San Jose contract, and was offered two roles in golf – one in Madrid, and the other in Barcelona.

“I still remember I was offered double the salary in Madrid compared to Barcelona, but don’t ask me why, but I said [to myself] ‘I have to be in this project.’ So, in 1998 I started running PGA Golf Catalunya, a year before it opened, which was in the middle of nowhere, with no grass on the course. There was just nothing there, but I decided I have to be with these people.”

Pascual spent 11 years as managing director of PGA Golf Catalunya, before returning ‘home’ to Real Golf de Pedreña and looks back fondly on his time in Catalunya.

“I was too young,” he admits, “and I had no experience. It was owned then by the Royal Automotive Club of Catalunya, the RACC, and they were such nice people that I wanted to work with them rather than with the other project [in Madrid].

“And where I am today, I have to admit that it’s been exactly the same thing. The project is absolutely unbelievable.”

And that project is INFINITUM – the rebranded name of Lumine Golf and Beach Community. Located on the Costa Daurada, Infinitum promises to fulfil its long-awaited realisation of becoming the leading golf destination in the area, with a mix of golf, gastronomy, a contemporary beach club and now, real estate.

But Pascual’s start to life at Infinitum didn’t quite go according to plan, as his first day in his new role was March 13, 2020, the day that Spain initiated a national lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But unlike some destinations across Europe who chose to withdraw offers of employment, the owners at INFINITUM stuck by their new man, testament to Pascual’s faith in the project.

“When I got interviewed by the people that own this project, my decision to come here was because of the people rather than for the project,” he stated. “But now, I realise that I’m very fortunate as the owners have not only honoured my job, but the long-term vision of the project, regardless of COVID.”

When questioned about the change of name, Pascual stated: “Infinitum means a bit of everything, Family; Sports; Ocean plus we are selling a way of living.” And he’s clear on the direction the rebranded destination needs to take.

“I think what we want to achieve here is something quite similar to what they are achieving now at Catalunya. And this is probably now in the phase that I was in at Catalunya in 1998, [although] I’d say this is probably farther developed.”

Originally opened in 2008, and featuring 45-holes of golf, the destination has long-held aspirations of building real estate at the resort. And with Pascal’s experience at PGA Catalunya, he is the ideal person to help Infinitum finally realise that potential.

“We are all very excited now that the real estate [has] come on board,” he said. “We are all looking forward for the real estate to really do well. And at the end of the day, we all do whatever we do for the real estate to do even better.

“But I think that in order to do that, we need to have the best golf courses; the best beach club; the best restaurants and the best service. I think that’s going to help the rest of the resort. Because at the end of the day, the resident is going to demand a full experience.”

Pascual admits that he is “working” on improving the golf offering, with discussions taking place about design changes to the two 18-hole courses, the Hills and Lakes. But he is also clear in his mind, that he has an opportunity to mould Infinitum into something quite unique.

“What we have here is something quite special,” reiterates Pascual. “We want to be Infinitum, and the potential is absolutely huge. What is quite clear is that this resort is going to be in the high-end market, that’s for sure.”