Troon®, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, has been appointed by Highgate, the new operator of Salgados in Portugal, to manage Salgados Golf Course in Albufeira, Algarve. Troon International will oversee golf operations, agronomy and marketing for the course set along Portugal’s Atlantic Ocean coastline.
Salgados Golf Course is an 18-hole par-72 layout originally designed by Pedro Vasconcelos in 1994 and renovated by renowned landscape architect Álvaro Mano in 2012. Set against the stunning natural backdrop of the Algarve Coast and located near Salgados Beach and Salgados Lagoon Nature Reserve, golf holes are flanked by multiple water features, making accuracy key for golfers. With multiple surrounding hotel partners including Salgados Palace, Salgados Dunas Suites and Salgados Palm Village, Salgados Golf Course is a popular choice for local golfers and tourists. The course is also globally recognized as the first golf course – and one of the few in Portugal – to use recycled water for 100 percent of its irrigation needs.
Spearheading the transition of Salgados joining the Troon family is Troon Senior Vice President, Ricardo Catarino. Catarino, a Portuguese native, brings 30-plus years of expertise from Troon’s Florida office. He has been instrumental in securing this exciting partnership between Highgate and Troon.
“Troon is delighted to be back in Portugal,” said Catarino. “Salgados is an extremely busy facility and we look forward to working with the existing team to enhance all areas, leveraging Troon’s expertise for the benefit of Salgados, its guests, associates, and ultimately to achieve the goals of our owner-partners.”
In January 2023, Highgate, a leading hotel management, investment, and development company, announced the launch of HG Portugal, a portfolio of 18 hotels spanning Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, and several other markets throughout the country. Highgate brings to the Portugal market global experience as an owner/operator in leisure destination markets as well as in branded, lifestyle, and city-center hotels, and adds distinct value to its managed hotels through a platform designed to optimize operational efficiencies, distribution, and hotel concept development.
On the appointment of Troon, Alexandre Solleiro, CEO Highgate Portugal shared, “At Salgados, we’re creating an unparalleled resort destination – comprised of three hotels and a world-class conference center. With the addition of Salgados Golf Course, in partnership Troon, we look forward to expanding the potential of these assets.”
DJ Flanders, Senior Vice President of Troon International, commented, “We are delighted to be entrusted by Highgate to bringing this club to new levels through enhanced course conditions, operational service excellence, and Troon’s sales and marketing resources to aid financial performance.”
Troon has been organically expanding on the Iberian Peninsula over the past couple of years, with Salgados joining Las Colinas Golf & Country Club in Alicante, Spain; Aloha Golf Club in Marbella, Málaga, Spain; and Finca Cortesin in Casares, Málaga, Spain.