PGA Catalunya Resort has appointed David Bataller as its new Director of Golf Operations. This could be a regular career news, but I think it is worth to understand what kind of achievement is this for both sides.
David Bataller first joined the team as superintendent and had a great role in maintaining PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course status as Spain’s No. 1. (source: Top100golfcourses.com).
A big step in his career at the PGA Catalunya Resort was when he got involved both as superintendent and golf course manager in the construction of PGA Catalunya Resort’s Tour Course, which opened in 2005, and the extensive upgrades to the Stadium Course (was designed in 1997 by Neil Coles MBE and Angel Gallardo) in 2010.
2010 was the year when PGA Catalunya Resort changed the grass type on its fairways to resilient, drought-resistant Bermuda grass (the same variety used at Augusta National). In 2015 new putting green with Poa grass has been introduced. Thus, all four of the main grass types – Bermuda, Bent, Paspalum and Poa – can all be found within the club’s 2,000 square meters short game area.
It is worth to mention here that PGA Catalunya Resort was the first European Tour Destination to become GEO Certified (=is awarded to golf clubs who demonstrate a level of sustainability action and considerations across a comprehensive modern sustainability agenda of nature, water, energy, supply chain, pollution control and community) in 2013.
David Plana, PGA Catalunya Resort’s CEO, said: “David’s appointment heralds an exciting new phase in the life of the resort, which is a year into its three-year investment program, aimed at growing the venue into one of Europe’s leading golf and luxury lifestyle resorts.”
As part of the same investment program, PGA Catalunya Resort built the Hotel Camiral.