The owner of two of Portugal’s most acclaimed golf resorts – Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort and nearby West Cliffs Ocean and Golf Resort – has appointed respected industry professional Gonçalo Costa as new golf director across both venues.
Costa, who took up his new post on October 1, most recently spent more than six years at the Portuguese Golf Federation as golf director. He now oversees the par-72 course at Praia D’El Rey, a Cabell B. Robinson design that has been one of the nation’s best since the first tee shot was hit in 1997.
Praia D’El Rey’s younger sibling West Cliffs – which was built by Cynthia Dye McGarey and opened in 2017 – will also fall under Costa’s jurisdiction. The two courses are both owned by Spanish investment firm Azora and are just ten minutes away by car.
Costa’s new position as one of three golf directors on Portugal’s Silver Golf Coast also means he will have a major role to play in the promotion of the sport and tourism in the region. All four venues – a line-up completed by Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort and Guardian Bom Sucesso Resort – are situated within 10km of each other, just north of Lisbon, and are rivalling the famous Algarve and Costa del Sol among the Iberian Peninsula’s go-to spots for golfers.
From 2017 to 2019, Costa began his career as golf secretary at Belas Clube de Campo, serving as course and memberships manager. His education includes a Masters in sports management at Lisbon University, where he is now pursuing a PhD in the same field.
During his tenure at the Portuguese Golf Federation, Costa was entrusted with the strategic management of the National Training Centre, overseeing its operations and alignment with the Federation’s objectives. He played a key role in optimising resources and supporting high-performance programmes. This experience equipped him with solid expertise in governance and strategic planning, which will be instrumental at Praia D’El Rey and West Cliffs.
Costa said: “I am truly excited and honoured to take up this role on the incredible Silver Coast, especially because the challenge of being golf director at not one, but two world-class venues simultaneously is an opportunity few people are fortunate enough to have. Both courses are internationally recognised for the quality of their design, playing conditions and facilities, which makes this role even more rewarding.
“I am familiar with both venues from my previous role and I know I am joining two exceptional teams already in place, whose commitment to service excellence has been a major factor in the success of Praia D’El Rey and West Cliffs. It will be a privilege to lead these teams, to further enhance the guest experience on and off the course, and I can’t wait to get started.”