Oliva Nova is once again committed to innovation in golf incorporating the Toptracer system in the practice area.
Oliva Nova is one of the highlighted European destinations for golf fans thanks, first and foremost, to the circuit designed by a sporting legend such as Severiano Ballesteros. Currently, the Oliva Nova golf area is managed by Rafael Velasco from Valladolid, who arrived in Oliva in 2017 from Marbella.
Rafa Velasco started in the world of golf through family tradition, at the Entrepinos club in his hometown. Later on, he was proclaimed Spanish Champion in the team category representing the Madrid Golf Federation. He combined sport with his studies and after graduating as an agricultural engineer, he worked in some of the most prestigious wineries in the GI ‘Ribera del Duero’, such as Mauro, Yllera and Pago de Carraovejas.
After some time in the barrels, Velasco decided to return to the green and continued his training in the sports field with an MBA in Operational Management of golf courses, as well as with the course of Sports Technician offered by the Spanish Federation and focused on the club management. After a first stay in Marbellan courses, it has been seven years since Velasco made the leap to Oliva Nova, “a long established enclave on the European scene and where I could grow personally and professionally”, as he said.
CUSTOMISED DESIGN OF THE COURSE
Velasco emphasises the constant search for excellence based on a “completely personalised service”, using the golf shop as a starting point: “the player is looking for individualised advice and a all-round experience. Golf service must be at the same level as the rest of Oliva Nova’s services, that is to say, excellent quality,” says Velasco.
In addition to the design created by Seve, which provides a wide variety of holes and changes of strategy throughout the game, there is also a flat course, where it is not necessary for veteran players to use the buggy, as they can walk the course at a brisk pace. “We seek to promote an appropriate pace of play from the first hole, so we have three marshals who take care of the assistance and service throughout the game,” says the manager of the golf area. In addition to the design and rhythm, there is a differential landscaping, in which the presence of water embellishes the course and has an effect on the players’ strategy, with the impressive Montgó massif as a stunning background.
INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY INTO GAMES AND PRACTICE
Oliva Nova has also opted for the implementation of technology in golf, such as the use of GPS tracking to know the distance to the flag from the boogie, as well as the inclusion of the Toptracer system on the driving range a few months ago. Velasco explains the process of selecting the system, as well as the benefits it brings to the players during practice: “The aim was to include technological innovations on the practice course as well. I have compared different systems and visited the fields where Toptracer was incorporated and, finally, I decided to go for this technology for Oliva Nova”.
Toptracer allows the player to have a virtual experience of legendary courses such as Saint Andrews or Augusta, as well as to know exactly how far they are going with each golf club or to save their practice sessions. “For the teacher it is very valuable information that allows them to follow, improve and individualise each practice session”, says Rafael Velasco.
Oliva Nova has 16 stations in the practice area where Toptracer has been implemented. The cameras capture the first 50 metres of the ball’s outswing and calculate the rest of the distance thanks to algorithms, a fast and precise calculation. Toptracer also brings an extra advantage, focused on sociability. On the one hand, it turns children’s training into a fun game, and on the other hand, at company events, work colleagues can compete with each other without having to jump onto the playing course.
The impact of integrating Toptracer into the practice field has been immediate. As Velasco points out, “we have increased the level of ball striking by 30% since it was installed”. Oliva Nova has recently signed a collaboration agreement with the Mahou brewery for the organisation of weekly tournaments, on Thursday afternoons until 15 August, in which Toptracer plays a leading role.
The use of Toptracer is very useful for trainers as it allows them to keep a history of training sessions.
