Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Mijas Mountains with breath-taking views of the Andalusian countryside, La Cala Golf Hotel & Spa is an idyllic rural retreat for golfers from across Europe.

Featuring three Cabell B. Robinson-designed courses – Campo America, Campo Asia and Campo Europa – the resort is located just ten minutes from the Mediterranean beaches of the Costa del Sol, a region famed for its golf, and widely-regarded in golfing parlance as the ‘Costa del Golf’.

Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the opening of La Cala, which is part of the Irish-owned FBD Hotels and Resorts portfolio, and despite the undulating terrain that architect Robinson was faced with three decades ago, he somehow managed to create three distinctly different layouts.

“At first, I thought the terrain was at the limit of what could be turned into golf courses, given the severe changes in altitude,” recalls Robinson. “I remember looking at the whole estate and thinking, ‘I hope I know what I’m doing’.

“We ended up moving 500,000 cubic metres of earth, almost four times the amount that would be moved in flatter projects. Without wishing to sound arrogant, I’m still very proud of the work at La Cala.”

Yet, despite Robinson crafting 54 spectacular holes of golf, La Cala failed to earn the recognition that a three-course resort on the Costa del Sol merited, and post the financial crash of 2008, struggled to make its mark.

Fast forward ten years, and in April 2018, the Irish owners turned to experienced operator, Sean Côrte-Real to re-position La Cala as a premium destination on the famous Spanish coastline.

Recruited from Las Colinas where he spent three-and-a-half years as director of golf, Côrte-Real was attracted to the position of general manager for the entire La Cala resort with a mandate to improve facilities and the visitor experience. And the location didn’t escape his attention either.

“The position of general manager at one the largest resorts in Europe, with three golf courses, a hotel, spa, restaurants, and real estate, was very attractive,” said Côrte-Real.

“But one of the biggest things was the challenge of putting La Cala on the map, the European map where it deserves to be. It’s a fantastic resort, and there aren’t many like it.

“I’ve always seen [the] Costa del Sol as one of the top golf destinations in the world, and it is – there are so many golf courses around here – and most of us know it as Costa del Golf. We’re bang in the middle of Malaga and Marbella, so it was almost a no brainer, really [to come to La Cala]. It was an easy decision.”

In 45 year-old Côrte-Real, FBD opted for an experienced manager who prior to Las Colinas, spent three years as director of golf and project manager at Igussau Golf Resort in Brazil, where he helped re-brand the former three-star complex into a luxury five-star resort.

And it is this inherent desire to re-position La Cala that drives Côrte-Real; and he is clear where he sees his market.

“In the middle really,” he states, “because one thing that we’re sure of, is [that] we are a four-star resort, and I think it’s important that as a resort we need to know what we are and what we want. And what we are is a four-star, good quality, good service resort.

“I think one of the dangers that you find [at] several places, especially in tourist areas, is people want to put five-star on the door. And really then they’re not giving that expectation to the client. They’re not achieving it, because in the end, it’s a four-star product.”

And with three courses, golf is front and centre of the La Cala offering, but again, Côrte-Real is managing expectations.

“Great golf doesn’t mean you’ve got to have the absolute fastest, best greens in the world. All you need is very decent, good playing surfaces that a normal 18 handicapper would enjoy, and that’s what we’re trying to do. Same with the bunkers, same with the fairways, same with the tees – just trying to offer a good experience for the golfer.

“There’s no doubt that golfers want good quality, and that will bring people back always. It’s proven that people will come back if things are right, and that’s how we’re going to increase our number of rounds. We’re not decreasing prices or going to be doing any strange pricing strategies – we are simplifying what we already have to improve the overall experience of the golf.”

Currently, all three courses have a similar price point, but Côrte-Real has plans to differentiate the offering, with Campo America in-line for a more premium feel, following the recent introduction of GPS on the buggies. Bag-tags for visitors are in the pipeline also.

And in summer 2021, every green on Campo America will be reseeded with Bermuda following a successful renovation of Campo Asia last year, and a planned summer refurbishment of Campo Europa this year.

“We have the luxury of closing the golf course every summer,” adds Côrte-Real. “Up until very recently, we weren’t sure if it was the right thing or not, as we wanted to see the results on what happened on Asia. And now having gone through the cold spells, we’re absolutely delighted with the results, because the greens are great.

“They’re firm; they’re very true and they’ve maintained the green colour because Bermuda goes dormant and it goes brown. We’re really happy with the results.

“The results on Asia just pushed us to go ahead with all the other greens, and I think it’s a no brainer. Sustainability, water consumption, chemicals, playability, everything, it’s just a win-win all around.”

With only Campo Asia starting and finishing at the clubhouse, the academy and practice facilities are another area that Côrte-Real wants to improve, but with the first tees of Campo America and Campo Europa a good two-minute buggy drive away from the caddiemaster, it can be challenging enticing golfers to use the facilities before heading to the course. But the introduction of a free shuttle service is beginning to change perceptions.

“A lot of people didn’t know that there was a driving range in the academy, so we’re trying to push the information that this is available.”

And this continual investment in the La Cala brand has seen a new fleet of 180 Club Car buggies, plus a remodelled pro shop. “When I arrived, we had 16 different brands, and it [was] way too much – we’re down to seven now. The margins for us have grown, which is important, and we’re selling better and selling more. So that’s worked very well.”

When Côrte-Real introduced himself to his staff upon arriving on the Costa del Sol almost two years ago, he recalls that he received a spontaneous round of applause when, at his first staff meeting, he stated that his vision for La Cala was predominantly as a golf resort.

“I think from what I saw and what I felt was that we were focusing on things that weren’t really that important. The strategy might have been slightly off in where we should be pointing to, but most of our energy should be on golf, and bringing golfers up here, and getting golfers to enjoy their experience on our golf courses.”

And that core message of focusing on what really matters will surely keep Côrte-Real’s Irish paymasters smiling.