In 2021 – by all accounts, not your standard year in the world of golf (or anything else for that matter) – Pedro Castelo Branco took over the reigns as golf director at Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort.

Situated on Portugal’s stunning Silver Coast, the resort was already a HotelPlanner Tour Portuguese Open host the year before his arrival and a popular retreat for those looking to discover this incredible part of the world.

As a Lisbon native who worked within the golf industry from the outset of his career – starting his journey as a course marshal at Montado Hotel & Golf Resort more than two decades ago – you would be forgiven for assuming that he arrived from a similar role at another venue.

But the move to Royal Óbidos was far from an obvious one. In fact, the job was the first time in 14 years that Castelo Branco had worked at a golf club. His move away from the industry in 2007 came following director of golf roles with The Onyria Group, Montado Hotel & Golf Resort and Ribagolfe.

“I was always in golf, always – and then I left. I left for a completely different project,” Castelo explained from his office in the club’s breathtaking Atlantic Ocean-facing clubhouse.

“I set up my own media company, creating and producing content, and provided the press office for the Portuguese Golf Federation. The coronavirus pandemic, however, made things very difficult for us.

“Suddenly there were no events, which meant nothing to write about, which meant I didn’t have a business.”

It was during this time that a conversation with the general manager at Royal Óbidos changed Castelo Branco’s plans.

He remembered: “In 2021, I was invited by the general manager here to replace the golf director that was leaving… and I felt immediately that it was the perfect time for me to return to golf.

“It was not easy at the time because we were just getting out of the pandemic. As an individual entrepreneur, things were not very easy at all. Those circumstances were what triggered my return. I’ve always liked this: the back office of golf, planning tournaments, preparing the course, the setup, everything. I’ve always enjoyed it.”

“As it turned out, the timing to join Royal Óbidos was fantastic. We received a good wave of golfers after Covid with golf participation booming across Europe. This part of the world quickly became the great golf destination you know it as now.”

Castelo Branco has been pivotal in enhancing the golf experience at the venue – home to a par-72 course which has been consistently ranked among Portugal’s best since first opening in 2012.

The layout was, in fact, the last ever designed by the late, great Seve Ballesteros (who tested out every hole before he passed away but sadly never played an official round).

But Castelo Branco’s work has involved far more than golf course management. The 52-year-old has been crucial in pushing and marketing the region as a golfing and cultural destination thanks to the formation of a close working relationship with neighbouring resorts Praia D’El Rey, West Cliffs and Bom Sucesso on Portugal’s Silver Coast.

According to Castelo Branco: “When I arrived here, the packages were already working, but the main package was focused heavily on Praia D’El Rey and the Marriott (hotel).

“I’ve known Francisco Cadete (then golf director at Praia D’El Rey and West Cliffs) for years, so it was easy when I arrived to sit with him and work out what the strategy was, and what we could do that was beneficial – not only to Royal Obidos, but also beneficial in attracting more golfers to the region.

“Then it made complete sense for Bom Sucesso to join, as they have everything to gain from this partnership.”

Situated within a 10km radius of each other, the region the four resorts share is famed for its rugged coastline, sandy beaches and ancient towns. The moderate temperatures all-year round make it the ideal golf destination.

Through working more closely together, the resorts now allow visitors to select which courses they wish to play during their stay at the two five-star hotels, villa or apartment accommodation, while complimentary transfers are organised between the resorts.

Castelo Branco said: “All the golf directors at the three venues get along quite well, so it was easy to create the package after I arrived: to agree on the transfers, pricing, how we sell… it was a very simple process, and I think it really helped make us a destination that we are now.

“As a region and a destination, we are getting more and more people every year, more rounds are being booked. It’s very important to keep this trajectory going for bookings and to continue to work with each other.”

When most golfers think of Portugal, they traditionally think of a much more southerly region. Castelo Branco believes that that perception is overdue a change. “I’ve always said when comparing this Silver Coast area and the Lisbon area to the Algarve, there is only a slight drop off in temperature but we’ve still got great golf courses, nice gastronomy, restaurants, hotels… everything!

“The only thing a golfer may complain about here is the lack of nightlife – so that also can sometimes bring a different type of golfer here.

“But we still get groups who are looking for that sort of break – they come here and spend one week playing often, and after they finish the round they have a drink but then they go to the swimming pool or to the spa or to the beach. There’s lots of other stuff to do during the day, visiting Óbidos or Peniche, and then you can rest and then play golf again bright and early.”

This September, the venue will once again host the HotelPlanner Tour – a highlight in the calendar for all associated with the club.

“Hosting professional events like this really helps us, not only commercially but it helps everyone here,” said Castelo Branco.

“It helps the staff, especially the greenkeeping team because you know that every year, by that time, the course has to be in its top, top condition. Tournament hosting also helps a lot in the planning of the year for golf work, like course improvement plans.”

This year will, however, be the last time that the tournament is hosted at the course.

Castelo Branco explained: “This will be the third year of the second contract. It will not be renewed, but we are all pleased with what we have achieved over the last six years.

“Hosting these tournaments is very important. I think the administration has understood that too. So, we want to host another big event, whether that is a Ladies European Tour event or another. That’s the strategy. We will be back with a big tournament – maybe not in 2026 but definitely for 2027.”

When he isn’t planning for the future, catching up with his fellow golf directors at Praia D’El Rey, West Cliffs and Bom Sucesso and has a spare hour or two (often rare given the nature of a golf director’s role), Castelo Branco can usually be found out the course with members, staff or industry friends.

“The signature hole is the second which I think is great,” he added. “There are some other very good holes. 11 is another par five and the finishing holes are excellent.

“But for me, the third is the hole. It’s a par three with a sort of an island green, with very, very special pin positions either easy or almost impossible. And if you play it from the back tee you have beautiful views. From the back you have a 200-metre shot to a tricky pin. It’s just a great golf hole.”