{"id":177102,"date":"2026-04-23T11:57:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mygolfway.com\/?p=177102"},"modified":"2026-04-23T11:57:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T09:57:58","slug":"mygolfway-interview-mg-orender-golf-is-experiencing-global-renaissance-driven-by-young-players-and-the-club-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/mygolfway-interview-mg-orender-golf-is-experiencing-global-renaissance-driven-by-young-players-and-the-club-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"MYGOLFWAY INTERVIEW \u2013 MG Orender: \u201cGolf is experiencing a global renaissance driven by young players and the club experience\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

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22 April 2026<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Former President of the PGA of America and current President of Hampton Golf, Inc., MG Orender, shares his insights with MyGolfWay on the evolution of the industry, its post-pandemic boom, and Spain\u2019s potential as an international golf destination. He also spoke about his involvement in the Bon Golf Hotel Resort project, the future residential, sporting and tourism resort in Tarragona, promoted by the Costa Arum Group, formerly known as Bonmont Terres Noves.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

With more than four decades of experience in the golf industry, MG Orender<\/strong> is one of the most authoritative voices for understanding both the present and the future of the game. For over a decade, he served as CEO of the PGA of America, <\/strong>one of the most influential organisations in global sport, where he was responsible for major competitions such as the Ryder Cup<\/strong> and the PGA Championship<\/strong>. During his tenure, he led the expansion and modernisation of professional golf in the United States, driving both its media growth and economic development.<\/p>\n

From his key role in initiatives such as Play Golf America<\/strong> and the creation of the Junior Ryder Cup in 2010<\/strong>, held in Scotland, to his current leadership at Hampton Golf<\/strong>, his vision combines business management, facility development and player experience. In this exclusive interview with MyGolfWay<\/strong>, MG Orender<\/strong> reflects on the global resurgence of golf, the differences between the United States and Europe in club management, the impact of technology, and the emerging opportunities for destinations such as Spain, with particular focus on the development of the Bon Golf Hotel Resort<\/strong> on the Costa Daurada<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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MYGOLFWAY:\u00a0With such an extensive career in the golf industry, including your presidency of the PGA of America, what do you consider to have been your greatest contribution to the development of modern golf?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MG ORENDER:<\/strong>\u00a0I would answer that in two parts. One relates to my experience as President, with two things I am most proud of. At that time, golf was not growing. In fact, it was in decline. We launched the Play Golf America initiative to attract more people to the game. The other is the creation of the Junior Ryder Cup, which has become a very strong and magnificent event alongside the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n

On a personal level, I have built 32 golf courses, remodelled 15, and have been involved in more than 100 clubs not only in the United States, but also in Spain, Peru and Ireland, in addition to working with the people I have collaborated with over the years. I have a dozen employees in my company who have been with me for 30 years or more. It fills me with pride to know that, with their help, I have built a company that has allowed them to develop their own careers.<\/p>\n

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MYGOLFWAY:\u00a0How do you assess the current state of the golf industry in 2026, both in the United States and in Europe?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MG ORENDER:<\/strong>\u00a0Well, the United States has experienced a true renaissance. The year with the highest number of rounds played in the US was 1998, with 551 million. As I mentioned, golf went into decline, and by 2002 we had dropped below 500 million.<\/p>\n

Following the arrival of the Covid pandemic, golf has surpassed its historic highs and continues to grow. We are seeing that growth extend to Europe, South America and Central America.<\/p>\n

It is growing all over the world! And what excites me most and fills me with optimism about the future is the number of young people returning to golf, with their families and children. There was a time when you did not see many children in clubs. Now we have very popular junior programmes, and families come with their children to enjoy not only golf, but the entire club experience: pickleball, tennis, swimming pool, fitness\u2026 and all of this points to a strong future for the industry for many years to come.<\/p>\n

MYGOLFWAY:\u00a0You advocate for a more business-oriented management of clubs. What mistakes are many golf courses still making today in terms of management and profitability?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MG ORENDER:<\/strong>\u00a0I think the biggest mistake is having owners who are absent or have little experience in the club business, and who hand it over to someone who also lacks much business experience. They may be very good at running a pro shop, being superintendents, or selling beer, but not at the commercial side.<\/p>\n

Personally, I place great importance on training. At my company, Hampton Golf, which manages around 35 properties, we have developed 300 staff training videos. As employees watch them, they receive financial incentives and opportunities for growth. I believe every person on the property should understand not only their own area, but also those of others, so that everyone can work together efficiently and intelligently. Having motivated and well-trained people improves the business.<\/p>\n

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MYGOLFWAY:\u00a0You have been involved in emblematic projects such as La Manga Club. What potential do you see in Spain as an international golf destination?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MG ORENDER:<\/strong>\u00a0I believe Spain, and also Portugal, have a great opportunity because they have excellent properties and a wonderful climate. They have fantastic people, very warm and welcoming.<\/p>\n

I have worked at La Manga and also at Abama. Spain has an area that everyone considers the prime tourist zone, the city of Marbella and the Costa del Sol. There are many high-quality golf courses in Spain, and now also in Catalonia, where excellent courses are being developed.<\/p>\n

This Bon Golf course, once it is in optimal condition and a good hotel and resort are added, will be a great opportunity to showcase the entire region. People will come and stay.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, with the Ryder Cup in 2031 and a strong marketing campaign that does not focus solely on the host course, it will encourage enthusiasts to explore other places, help create a golf destination, and we will see golf tourism return afterwards, as has happened with other host venues.<\/p>\n

MYGOLFWAY:\u00a0From your experience, what are the main differences between course management in the United States and in countries such as Spain?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MG ORENDER:<\/strong>\u00a0What I have observed, not only in Spain but in Europe in general, is that here there is a preference not to do anything that appears too commercial, whereas in the US we see it differently.<\/p>\n

If I can offer a beverage buggy, then yes, I make money by selling you more beers, but I am also improving your experience. You are playing and a friendly young person approaches and offers you a beer. You forgot your cigars, you want something to eat, and they have it in the buggy.<\/p>\n

For me, that is not being opportunistic. I believe it is providing hospitality and, yes, it generates more revenue. I think in Europe, in general, a lot of money has always been left on the table. Offering hospitality is not capitalism. The more opportunities you give your customers to buy something, to get what they want, the more it enhances their experience and increases cash flow. It is a win\u2013win situation.<\/p>\n

MYGOLFWAY:\u00a0In relation to the Bon Golf project on the Costa Daurada, what is your specific role in the renovation, development and management of the resort?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MG ORENDER:<\/strong>\u00a0I am a consultant to Arum Group, and I will be responsible for ensuring that guests at Bon Golf Hotel Resort who wish to play golf can access the course quickly and easily, so that their experience is as good as possible.<\/p>\n

Everything I analyse is centred on the experience. How to improve the customer experience. And to do so in a way that benefits the business, the operation of the resort, from the course to the hotel, including the clubhouse. I will probably also help develop the membership plan, shape the offering, hire the right staff, and later assist with the golf academy.<\/p>\n

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MYGOLFWAY:\u00a0What strategic objectives and key points do you have for Bon Golf, and what will differentiate it from other golf resorts in Europe?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MG ORENDER:<\/strong>\u00a0We aim to incorporate certain operational aspects that raise the level of the experience. As I said before, I do not believe that most clubs in Europe, not only in Spain, truly operate at the level we are aiming for.<\/p>\n

This hotel and clubhouse will have a completely different atmosphere when they are finished. And by maintaining the best elements of Robert Trent Junior\u2019s design, while making some small adjustments, the course will be capable of hosting European Tour events if they decide to stage them here. With the budget they have put on the table, we want this to be the best in Europe.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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22 April 2026\u00a0\u2013 Former President of the PGA of America and current President of Hampton Golf, Inc., MG Orender, shares his insights with MyGolfWay on the evolution of the industry, its post-pandemic boom, and Spain\u2019s potential as an international golf destination. He also spoke about his involvement in the Bon Golf Hotel Resort project, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":177099,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[85,165],"class_list":["post-177102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-golf-courses","category-interview"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/labs.100x100.net\/projects\/mygolfway\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}