ORLANDO, Fla. – June 26, 2009…Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, recently announced that José Quesada, PGA Director of Golf at La Iguana Golf Course, has been named Golf Professional of the Year. La Iguana is the championship 18-hole facility located at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Playa Herradura, Costa Rica.
Marriott Golf’s prestigious Golf Professional of the Year award is granted to an individual who consistently performs and exceeds in areas of sales and profit; leadership in personnel development; innovative program development; and affinity programs.
Quesada has been a member of the Marriott team for over a decade, starting as the Recreation Manager at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel in San Jose. He then moved on to become Head Golf Professional at La Iguana in 2003, and was promoted to his current position, Director of Golf, in 2005. During his tenure at La Iguana, Quesada has been recognized with several prestigious awards including Most Admired Golf Operator, Golf Inc. Magazine, and Marriott Golf’s Crystal Achievement Award.
Quesada is highly regarded for his support of philanthropic initiatives throughout the community, as he was instrumental in organizing the Ronald McDonald House Charities Golf Tournament, which raised over $45,000. Proceeds from the event went towards the creation of Costa Rica’s first wheelchair bank for disabled children and teenagers. Additionally, Quesada established “Challenge Golf of Costa Rica,” a free golf clinic which is offered every month to disabled golfers.
“We are extremely proud to present José with the Golf Professional of the Year award, as he is truly deserving of this recognition,” said Patrick Brannigan, Director of Golf Operations, Marriott Golf. “His commitment to excellence is unmatched and his passion to develop and execute programs for golfers that have disabilities is admirable.”
Regarded as one of Costa Rica’s most exotic golf courses, La Iguana offers an extraordinary encounter with nature at every hole as it is surrounded by a majestic natural beauty which is rivaled only by the excitement and challenge of play. It is not uncommon to see playful monkeys, three-toed sloths, brilliant-colored toucans and scarlet macaws along the fairways. The signature 4th hole at La Iguana, named “El TucÁn,” is a par 5, 545 yard hole that proves a difficult challenge for all golfers, with landing areas protected by a water hazard extending from tee to green, as well as a sand trap. The breathtaking hole accentuates the natural beauty of the course, as it is tucked away into the rain forest.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 57 golf courses at 41 locations in 11 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world’s premier golf operators. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises. For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.
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Contact:
Michele Kruchkowski (mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com)
Stefanie Schiavello (stefanie@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications, Inc. @ 732-469-5700
