Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

Four Seasons Tenure

• First 2013-2018; now since 2022
• First Four Seasons Assignment:  Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, Assistant Guest Services Manager

Employment History

• Kohanaiki Golf Club, Hawaii; The Breakers Resort, Palm Beach, Florida; Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Education

• Florida State University Professional Golf Management Program with a BS in Hospitality Administration; Member of the PGA since 2015

Birthplace

• Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Languages Spoken

• English

A Florida native, Dakota Smith’s golf career has taken him and his family from coast to coast, working at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, The Breakers in Palm Beach and most recently, Kohanaiki, a 450-acre (180 hectare), private residential community located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

“What I love about golf is that not only is the game an art, the setting is as well. Every golf course is unique—it doesn’t matter if it’s public or private, you’ll always see flowing lines, contrasting colours and different elements at play,” Smith comments.

Under his leadership, The Breakers was named the #3 golf experience in luxury resorts for East Coast North America by Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and during his tenure at Four Seasons Hualalai, the golf course was ranked #3 in Hawaii. “Programming is such an important piece of the golf experience,” Smith explains. “I know how to make events feel intimate and fun.”

One of the biggest trends Smith sees across clubs is finding a way to make golf faster. “If you have half a day to commit to a round of golf, that’s great, but there needs to be an opportunity where you can play nine holes, or six because you only have an hour away from the kids,” he explained. “Golf is changing and becoming more casual, not just the pace but also in the environment. It’s no longer about wearing a white polo and perfectly shined shoes. It’s more relaxed, appealing to all generations, especially millennials.”

As a teen, Smith spent his summers working at a local golf course, where he found his love for the club environment and went on to become an avid golfer. He graduated from Florida State University’s Professional Golf Management Program and his career grew from there.

Smith and his wife, Monica, and two young children relocated to Costa Rica and love being immersed in nature and other cultures.