When Eduardo Carrillo’s five-year-old daughter, Julia, asked him what he did for a living, his answer was simple: “I make sure people enjoy their free time.” This dedication has been his guiding principle throughout his career.
A graduate in Business Administration with a master’s in Sports Facilities Management and a Club Manager diploma, Carrillo naturally gravitated towards the sports industry. He began in 2006 at “Go and Golf,” a Valencian golf tour operator. There, his passion for the sport mirrored his enthusiasm for his work. “I always knew I wanted to work in sports,” he reflects. “Back then, there weren’t as many opportunities.”
Following his stint with the tour operator, Carrillo ventured into marketing the Joma brand – a key sponsor for Valencia Football Club. This move wasn’t entirely unexpected – Carrillo, a former amateur tennis player, transitioned to goalkeeping during his younger years.
His love for golf, however, blossomed during his very first lesson with instructor Rafa Pérez at Foressos Golf. “I took my first swing, and something clicked,” he recalls with a smile. “From then on, it was golf fever. Every lunchtime, every weekend, I’d rush to practice – anything to get more playing time.” Carrillo even achieved a respectable handicap of 14.4. Unfortunately, family commitments and time constraints hindered his ability to maintain that level of play. The pandemic further limited his leisure rounds.
In 2013, Carrillo took on the role of manager at Las Pinaíllas Golf course in Albacete, a position he held until 2023. Following a year of consultancy and business development within the sports sector, he joined the team at Lo Romero Golf in August 2024. Here, he aims to leverage his knowledge and experience to elevate the customer experience.
“It’s all about creating a space for people to enjoy themselves,” he emphasizes. “That’s why we’re here. I get up every day so people can have a good time.”
Carrillo sees his role as facilitating a smooth operation, ensuring seamless coordination between the caddie master, maintenance team, and other departments, all in service of delivering a stellar golfing experience. He also highlights the course’s commitment to sustainability, evidenced by its Aenor certificates for carbon and water footprint management.
“The course itself is one of our greatest assets,” Carrillo acknowledges. “Its excellent design and high maintenance standards make it truly special. We’ll continue to showcase these strengths.”
His own experience playing Lo Romero was thoroughly positive. “It’s a course that allows players to recover from mistakes,” he explains, “and still come out feeling satisfied.” He holds a special place in his heart for the 18th hole – the iconic island green – but acknowledges that other favorites will likely emerge with time.
“Leaving the course having enjoyed the experience – that’s the ultimate goal,” he concludes. And “enjoyment” is a verb Eduardo Carrillo conjugates every single day.
