Monte Rei hails PGA pros

The proven benefits of utilising the expert skills of PGA Professionals has been highlighted by leading Portuguese resort Monte Rei appointing three new pros to its ranks.

David Ashington, Darren Griffiths and Chris Watt join existing pros David Shepherd and Bradley Dye to ensure Monte Rei has the expertise to manage the growth of the resort.

Following three years of rapid growth in all areas and continuing faster in 2016, these welcome additions will ensure that the existing high standards set are maintained, and guests visiting Monte Rei to play or stay will have the best experience possible.

Ashington, joins Monte Rei as the director of hospitality sales from Royal Obidos and adds sales, tourism and Portuguese industry knowledge amongst other skills to the team and will be a welcome addition as the resort continues to grow and develop.

He was also the first British PGA professional in Portugal to achieve the PGA director of golf qualification.

The second addition, Darren Griffiths, joins the team as golf operations manager and head professional.

Griffiths, son of former World Snooker champion Terry, is a highly experienced PGA pro possessing a wealth of knowledge from a number of award winning clubs in Wales.

The former Carmarthen director of golf was Welsh pro of the Year in 2008.

The final addition to the team is Chris Watt who joins Monte Rei as a first year trainee professional from Concra Wood in Ireland who will completine his overseas PGA training.

Salvador Lucena, general manager explained: “When looking to recruit in all areas of the golf business, it makes complete sense to start with PGA Professionals.

“The PGA brand, training and qualification ensures we are recruiting from amongst the best in the industry.

“The quality work of David Shepherd and Brad Dye are already examples of the benefits we have seen from recruiting PGA Professional and we are sure that the new members of the team will all add enormous value to each area.”

Monte Rei has gained recognition around the world as a premier golf and family destination and, since its opening eight years ago, it has been ranked several years in a row as the number one golf course in Portugal.

Monte Rei continues to grow and the past few years have seen a number of developments at the resort with the introduction of fully serviced rental villas, along with the opening of Veranda, which includes a restaurant and bar, tennis courts, swimming pools, gymnasium and spa.