When we think of golf courses, we think of vast grassy areas, always very green, whether it is the wettest winter or a prolonged drought. But at the Amendoeira Golf Resort, in Alcantarilha, Silves, the reality is different, thanks to the decision by those responsible to stop watering several areas of the resort, including parts surrounding its two 18-hole courses, which has been well received by golfers and it did not harm the operation – on the contrary.
Last year, the management of this golf course, which was acquired in 2023 by the Rolear Group, invested in substantially reducing its water consumption and increasing its water efficiency, something that required, in some cases, difficult choices.
The Amendoeira Golf Resort underwent a readaptation process, based on a Water Contingency Plan, which included, among other measures, the «removal of grass in the garden areas, replacing it with inert materials, namely crushed stone, pebbles, bark of pine and wood chips", but also with "the reduction of the areas surrounding the tee, but also part of the rough», maintaining only “normal” irrigation in areas of fairway, departure and greens, that is, «the premium gaming areas», according to João Fernandes, general director of Amendoeira Golf Resort.
The idea was to «reduce irrigation as much as possible and increase water efficiency», at the same time as «an upgrade to the irrigation system». There was also an effort to substantially reduce, in the order of 40%, the use of borehole water, with the use of treated wastewater, known as Water for Reuse, planned for 2025 to irrigate green spaces in the development.
By reducing the area of grass spaces, the Amendoeira Golf Resort team can «concentrate more on the main areas of the course, improving them».
This was, admitted João Fernandes, a risky bet, due to its strong visual impact, but it did not reflect negatively on the operation, on the contrary, as this person in charge revealed to a delegation led by Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Tourism, in July .
«We had a 21,4% increase in the number of laps. We were among those who grew the most, despite the “bad things” we did to our fields,” he revealed.
This improvement in performance was also seen in terms of guests – «6,4% more» – and total revenue, which increased by «22,8%». “RevPAR [revenue per available room] also increased.”
These results, highlighted João Fernandes, were only possible thanks to the professionalism and commitment of the resort team. “Either it was done very professionally or it could have gone wrong.”
The decision of António Parreira Afonso, founder and administrator of the Rolear Group, to «substantially increase the salaries» of the company's employees also contributed to this, something that, according to João Fernandes, was reflected in «an increase in productivity».
The commitment to sustainability, on the other hand, bore financial fruit, as it allowed the business to increase its profitability.
Amendoeira Golf Resort's communication efforts with its customers contributed to this, who «in many cases, come from countries «where this topic of sustainability is highly valued».
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