Murcia Golf Online

Name: Glenn Billington
Age: 51
Nationality: British
How long have you lived in Murcia? 3.5 year’s

Occupation and where do you work?
Golf Teaching Professional & Academy Manager at Hacienda Del Alamo
Golf Resort, Murcia Spain.
I have specialized in Putting and have had the great opportunity to coach both European and ladies tour players. Presently have several pro’s on my books.

Murcia Related:
What area do you live in within Murcia?
Banos Y Mendigo, ten minutes from Murcia City

How do you think the golf scene is going currently going in Murcia?
In the past six years the region has become a favorite of many golfers and families. The region was the last area to get a financial kick start from the European Union and now the infrastructure is developing fast. The new international airport being built just outside Corvera and only a few minutes from the City will give a massive impact on the numbers of people visiting the region.

Golf will be in demand for many years. Excellent golf facilities are developing and give an extensive variety to golfers from all over Europe. We may be seeing other continents visiting in a couple of year’s time? Costa del Sol had better be looking over their shoulders!

What would you like to see in the Murcia that would help improve Golf?
Marketing has slowed down to the recession but we know that success can be built by businesses and companies who promote themselves wisely and effectively – use our money wisely and do the things that people and golfers want, not what we want to give them.

Do you think Golf courses in the Murcia region can help each other more by promoting Murcia?
This is a big debate for many golf businesses out here – do we work with or against our rivals? Sensibly, we should work together and form a manageable collaboration but I feel that some may not like the idea. Working together will give us a massive boost – look how Andalucia work together!

Has the economic climate affected Golf in Murcia?
Yes, most definitely. Visitors to the region appear to have reduced but we still have to look after and care for the people who live here and those that bought holiday homes here. Other people will come back when finances allow it.

Look how the green fees have reduced. A lot of resorts cater for the ‘locals’ also. Yearly memberships have lowered but I still think that they should be cheaper. Some people will disagree with me but golf is expensive. Reduce the green fees and yearly memberships and people will have more disposable income to play more golf, buy more food at the club house and replace their equipment when they wish.

Golf related:
Your Handicap?
Zero. With work and the new academy facilities being built time is an issue, so more golf when the chance comes along!

You favorite top 3 professional golfers?
Ernie Els, Nick Faldo and my personal friend Tommy Horton!

What is your best ever round, on what course and where?
6 under par! What a day that was, before I turned pro. I was off two at the time and was called a bandit at the presentation of the ‘Presidents Cup’ at Aston Wood Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield West Midlands! Loved being called a bandit!

Favorite sport apart from golf?
Football. My favorite team is West Bromwich Albion – they are a bit like my golf – a bit up and down! ϑ

What do you do to relax apart from golf?
Spending time with my wife Yvonne. Love visiting some of the great places here in Murcia and the surrounding region. I have an eight year old Mustang and love taking that out, great in Spain with the roof off!

Favorite other Golf courses in the world?
I love St Andrews and the old courses in Scotland. I played a lot of golf at Little Aston which is a fantastic parkland course, brilliant!

I have played in Las Vegas which was a great experience – a professional tournament where 200 started and I managed to finish in the top 30! Not enough to retire on though!

What Golf course would you like to play in the world that you have not?
Pebble beach is a must and I would love to visit there. I would like to play some golf in Australia if I get the chance.

Murcia Golf Online would like to thank Glenn for his time, we also would like to welcome Glenn to the website as he will be writing his own column on the website very soon...watch this space