Andrés Novo has evolved into a standout superintendent in Mexico. Photo by Ismael Lopez
Andrés Novo didn’t have to look far for inspiration.
Born in Santander in northern Spain, Novo at a young age was a member at Real Golf de Pedreña. One of the members is a legend. “A very special place in the history of golf and the club where Seve Ballesteros developed his game,” says Novo about the major golf champion and Ryder Cup icon. “Growing up in that environment was a huge inspiration for me. The club was not just a golf course. In many ways it was a school of life for many of us.”
Novo certainly has been educated about golf in numerous ways. A GCSAA Class A superintendent and 11-year association member, he can point to a recent situation that serves as a merit badge. In April, Novo oversaw the Korn Ferry Tour’s Tulum Championship at PGA Riviera Maya’s Championship Course in Tulum, Mexico.
Way back when in Spain, Novo learned to love the game. “There was a large group of kids my age who shared the same dream — one day becoming professional golfers,” he says. “That time in my life was very special because golf taught us discipline, competitiveness and also a strong sense of camaraderie. During my amateur years, I had the opportunity to compete all across Spain, which allowed me to experience many of the country’s best golf courses and gain very valuable experiences.”
Novo admits that school wasn’t a strong suit, but he learned what drove him. “Academically, I was never an outstanding student, but from a very young age I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to golf in one way or another,” he says. “I was certain that I wanted to stay involved in the game — whether as a player or working within the industry — and that passion is ultimately what has guided my entire professional path.”
It didn’t materialize overnight. “To be honest, my path to becoming a superintendent was largely a matter of chance. When I was a child and spent so much time at Real Golf de Pedreña, I was always very curious about the people who worked on the golf course. I especially remember José Antonio, who was responsible for changing the hole locations. I would often watch him work, and I was also fascinated by seeing the greens being mowed,” Novo says. “At that time, I didn’t really understand what was behind all that work, but it definitely sparked my curiosity.
“I also remember that the club director at the time, Javier Zulueta, had been the course greenkeeper. On a few occasions, I would stop by his office, and he would talk to me about the course and its maintenance. Many of the things he explained to me back then were difficult for me to understand, but over the years I have remembered some of those conversations and now they make much more sense.”
Still … “Interestingly, I never had a clear intention of becoming a superintendent. When I was younger, I simply knew that I wanted to work at a golf course in some capacity,” Novo says. “At one point, I even considered preparing myself to become a general manager of a golf club. However, life took me in a different direction.”
A good friend contributed to sending Novo on his way. “Fernando Padrón, who was a GM, offered me the opportunity to work as a greenkeeper at a very modest golf course. I accepted the opportunity without realizing that it would become the starting point of my career in golf course agronomy,” Novo says. “From that moment on, I discovered a profession that I quickly became passionate about.”
Many people championed his ascension. “I was fortunate to receive strong support from my family, as well as from golf course designer Marco Martín, who played a key role in my development. He helped me tremendously in my education and also supported me financially so I could continue my training, as well as helping me better understand golf course architecture and the management of golf courses, along with other important people within the industry,” Novo says. “Over time, that first opportunity turned into a career that has allowed me to dedicate my life to this sport from a different perspective.”
He arrived in Mexico in February 2020, and over these past six years, Novo has also worked at another iconic golf course in Mexico, at Mayakoba. “PGA Riviera Maya and Mayakoba have allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the region and why the Riviera Maya is such a special place,” he says. “The Riviera Maya, located in southeastern Mexico, has a very strong cultural identity. One of the things that has always impressed me is the unique combination of history, tradition and natural beauty that exists here.”
Assistant superintendent Ismael Lopez is helping make a difference on the grounds at PGA Riviera Maya.
Another remarkable aspect of his job: Climate. “You can wear shorts year-round, play golf in great conditions almost every day, and at any moment go to the beach, which is just a few minutes away,” Novo says. “All of this makes the Riviera Maya not only an extraordinary destination for visitors but also a very special place to work in the golf industry. The natural surroundings, the quality of the golf courses and the international atmosphere of the region create a truly unique environment for the game.”
Hosting professional events is a wonderful perk. “In the end, you are working very closely with the best golf tour in the world and with some of the most talented professionals in the entire industry. That raises the level of expectations significantly, but at the same time it represents a great opportunity for learning and professional growth. I have always believed that having a professional tournament every year at a golf course is extremely valuable,” he says, noting his team works on Platinum TE Paspalum for greens, tees, fairways and rough. “These events push you to constantly improve the course, raise maintenance standards and better prepare the entire team. In addition, working closely with PGA Tour agronomists is a very valuable experience, because it allows you to learn from some of the best specialists in the world when it comes to tournament course preparation. We selected this variety mainly because of its excellent adaptation to tropical climates and its high tolerance to salinity, which is very important in a coastal region like the Riviera Maya. It also allows us to maintain very uniform playing surfaces and excellent turf quality throughout the year.”
His assistant, Ismael Lopez, exudes excellence. “From the moment he joined the operation, he has shown great dedication, strong technical knowledge and a real passion for the profession. We work very well together and have built a strong working relationship based on trust, communication and a shared commitment to maintaining the highest standards on the golf course,” Novo says. “One of the things I try to do as a superintendent is help develop the next generation of professionals in our industry, and with Ismael I have tried to pass along not only the technical aspects of the job, but also the passion and dedication that this profession requires. Being a superintendent is not just about maintaining a golf course; it’s about leadership, responsibility and constant improvement. I’ve tried to share that perspective with him so that he can continue growing in his career and, hopefully one day, become a great superintendent himself.”
Meanwhile, Novo continues to cherish those early years when Ballesteros was an inspiration that has buoyed him far, far away from Spain. “I was fortunate enough to meet him and spend some time with him,” Novo says. “What impressed me the most was his mindset. He never gave up, he was always very positive, and he had an incredible ability to fight until the very end. On top of that, he was an incredibly hard worker.”
Howard Richman is GCM's associate editor