An Insight into a Career around the World with Troon with Lloyd Walton
Lloyd Walton crossed the globe last year, leaving Abu Dhabi (where he worked at a Troon facility) for Mexico to become the property leader at this iconic golf locale. Lloyd is coming up to 7 years with Troon and is at his fifth Troon facility. We’ve asked him a few questions to share his story across the world of Troon.
Please can you share your plans for the new role you’ve embarked on?
My overall plan is to continue to elevate the experience for our members and guests. Being the property leader at Palmilla Golf Club within an iconic resort in Los Cabos is a super exciting opportunity. The main focus is combining the service standards of One&Only ultra luxury Hotel with the expertise of Troon creates an opportunity to provide the ultimate experience to create the most sought-after club in the region.
The UAE is a region you’ve worked in heavily, what makes this such a great market for Troon and how will you take these learnings into the Mexican market?
Arguably the UAE provides one of the highest service standards in the world with the excellent facilities and amenities on offer. With the expertise that Troon Golf provide with the best practices it helps create the best agronomic conditions and club environment for members and guests to enjoy. Golf in Los Cabos is an extremely competitive market with 18 courses within 40km, Troon Golf provides a great eye on attention to detail which I feel is what separates the good from the great. This will be a key focus on my role here at Palmilla Golf Club.
What does Troon’s footprint look like in Mexico?
Currently there are two facilities in Mexico with another one being at PGA Riviera Maya near Cancun. Many of our guests are familiar with Troon Golf with a large portion of our daily market coming down from Phoenix, California and Texas where flights are just a few hours away.
Where and how does Troon add value for both its owners and its customers?
Troon adds value in so many ways for ownership from the Troon Revenue tools and marketing which drives business from our key markets in USA to the expertise and resources on offer for all segments of the club business to savings on procurement, in fact we shall shortly be receiving a new cart fleet and with Troon best pricing was a significant saving for our ownership.
How do you instill best practice across a facility?
For me here at Palmilla Golf Club, communication is key and with communication it is essential to set clear goals and expectations, although my Spanish is improving day by day use of imagery and presentations are extremely efficient in communicating to our 68 associates we have at the club.
Lloyd, Troon continues to grow within emerging markets whereby definition there will be a shortage of suitable local staff. In your new role how will you train local people to take on new positions?
Here at Palmilla all the associates other than me are local (Mexican). The associates here are extremely ambitious and feel a great sense of pride in the work they do. As a leader I feel it is essential that all associates are given a platform to grow should they wish, our ownership Kerzner provide fantastic opportunities for our associates to cross train in other areas in the hotel as well as committing all associates to attend at least 4 hours of class room learning per month there is great opportunity to grow skillset and progress to new positions.
What are Troon doing to help stimulate the growth of the game in Mexico?
With the Troon footprint in Mexico being positioned in the two most in demand destinations, Cancun and Los Cabos, naturally as the clubs continue to thrive from post pandemic tourism footfall, our properties are increasing the emphasis on engaging with local communities to help grow the game of golf. Also with successful role models such as Abraham Ancer inside world top 25 this will set a benchmark for success for Mexicans to follow.