When it comes to rapid rises, few venues in European golf can keep pace with La Hacienda Links Golf Resort.

The 36-hole Costa del Sol gem has upgraded both of its championship courses, unveiled an award-winning halfway house, opened a new clubhouse and added the five-star Fairmont La Hacienda hotel – to name but a few highlights – within the last half-decade alone.

There is perhaps nobody better placed to talk about this meteoric ascent than director of golf Fernando Padrón Pérez, who has now served two-and-a-half years at the helm of the La Hacienda ship. His journey to the position has been an eventful one, to put it mildly.

“I started my professional career 15 years ago running Salamanca Forum Resort, a 27-hole golf course with a five-star hotel and residential development,” said Padrón.

“After four years, I joined Real Club Valderrama as operations manager – and at Valderrama, service excellence is paramount. I learned how to run a private golf club and how to reach the highest levels of course maintenance and customer service. I also had the privilege of being involved in organising DP World Tour events.

“In 2019 I became part of an international project, managing PGA Riviera Maya in Mexico, where there are two amazing courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. I was very proud to secure a long-term agreement with PGA of America.

“After some wonderful years in the Caribbean, I joined the new La Hacienda project two and a half years ago.”

La Hacienda Links has a well-earned reputation for high standards and boundless ambition, so it says a lot about Padrón’s standing in the industry that the club’s owners identified a manager who – at the time – lived halfway across the world as their ideal candidate.

He explained: “When I was in Mexico, I received a call from the owners of La Hacienda to explain the new project they were developing, and I found it very interesting. I also knew the Sotogrande area very well, which made the possibility of returning home to Spain even more appealing.

“The decision was not easy, as I was truly happy and excited about my work In Mexico. In the end, I decided to join La Hacienda… and I can now say it was the right choice!”

Indeed, Padrón was named Manager of the Year for 2025 by Club Manager Education – and with the incredible strides taken by his resort since he was appointed, the Spaniard would have been hard to overlook.

“I was incredibly happy and grateful to receive the award,” he said. “What makes this particular honour especially meaningful is that it comes from my colleagues in the profession. To be recognised by those who share the same challenges, responsibilities and passion for our work is a privilege that fills me with pride.

“For me, this award is not only a personal recognition, but also a celebration of more than 15 years dedicated to the management of golf clubs.

“While I know that many other directors are equally deserving, I humbly accepted the award as a reflection of my unwavering commitment to continuous education – which led me to obtain the international CCM certification – as well as my international experience and the versatility I have gained through managing both members’ and commercial clubs.

“When you receive an award like this one, it inspires you to continue learning, growing and contributing to our profession with even greater dedication.”

Of course, even the most astute of golf managers can only do so much unless the course (or courses) itself are of exceptional quality. Padrón oversees two layouts that were already well-received, but have undeniably been elevated in recent years.

First came American architect Kurtis Bowman’s overhaul of the eponymous Links course, widely recognised as one of the best coastal layouts in mainland Europe.

“Since the pandemic, golf has been growing steadily, with more and more people taking up the sport – something that has had a very positive impact on golf clubs, including ours. We are seeing increasing numbers of women and young people playing golf, and demand for memberships at social clubs continues to rise.

“Golf tourism is also expanding, and at La Hacienda we are welcoming a growing number of visitors from emerging markets such as North America and Asia.

“Looking ahead, one of the key challenges for golf course managers will be to ensure an appropriate pace of play, which will certainly demand our close attention in the coming years.”

A refurbishment of the Heathland course followed last year, enhancing Dave Thomas’ layout with significant layout changes and landscaping work. The objective was simple: bring the Heathland up to match the high standards set across the rest of the resort, which by that time had opened an array of new facilities and was attracting more attention than ever. If people viewed the Heathland as second-fiddle before, they certainly couldn’t make that claim now.

To Padrón, though, what happens off the fairways at a top golf resort is just as important as what happens on them. One example in particular stands out, not least because it was named the best of its ilk in the world just last year.

He said: “The opening of the new halfway house on the Links course represented a significant enhancement to the overall player experience at La Hacienda Links. It’s about offering members and visitors the opportunity to pause during their round and enjoy these stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar and Africa that we’re so lucky to have – and of course to savour some light refreshments! It could have just been a facility, but instead it’s turned into a highlight of the course.”

Like any forward-thinking golf manager, though, Padrón knows that any and all investment cannot be planned with quality and affordability as the only metrics. Instead, every decision taken must be informed by one of the words that has defined the golf industry for much of the 21st century: sustainability.

La Hacienda Links wants to be a leader in the field, rather than an imitator, and changes geared towards environmental responsibility have been constant at the resort even before Padrón’s tenure.

“We are firmly committed to sustainability and the protection of the environment – these values guide so many of the decisions we make.

“From introducing Bermuda grass on our greens to ensure more efficient use of irrigation water, to eliminating single use plastic bottles and replacing them with water stations, every step is designed to minimize our environment impact. In addition, we are actively working towards achieving GEO certification.”

You’d be forgiven for thinking that there were few stones left to turn in the quest to keep improving La Hacienda Links – and keep up with the incredible reputations and histories boasted by many of Europe’s other top golf resorts – but there are no signs that anyone at the resort is resting on their laurels.

Padrón added: “At La Hacienda, our constant priority is to keep improving so that we can offer our guests the very best experience. Looking ahead, we are planning significant enhancements to the Heathland course, including upgraded cart paths, refined bunkers, and the redesign of selected holes to elevate playability and enjoyment.

“And with the opening of the Fairmont hotel on the horizon, we believe it will be the crowning touch – the element that will truly complete and enrich the La Hacienda experience.”