Roberto Castro
Redefining the golf experience through technology
The injection of modern technology into the golf industry has produced a landscape markedly different than that of the past several decades, prompting a revolution in how the game is perceived on a global scale.
This process doesn’t happen in a vacuum, however. It takes stewards with both knowledge and vision to responsibly engineer change within the game.
To this end, there are few more qualified to guide golf into the future than Roberto Castro. Leveraging his expertise of the sport’s inner workings from his time on the PGA Tour, Castro has made it his mission to push the industry forward via the avenue of responsible and relevant technological integration.
As managing director for CapTech, the former professional has helped spearhead efforts that redefine the golf experience, from the highest levels of the game down to the everyday player.
Even before Castro first picked up a club at age 3, his heritage spoke to a bright future within the game. With grandparents who played for Peru’s national team and an aunt, Jenny Lidback, with an LPGA Tour major title, it was no surprise that Castro grew into an outstanding junior player. Fortunate enough to have his pick of colleges to play for, he elected to remain close to his adopted home of Atlanta and attend Georgia Tech.
Castro was recognized as an All-American in each of his four seasons, as well as earning a quartet of nominations to the All-ACC team. He capped off a college career that saw him miss only a single event by winning the 2007 Byron Nelson Award, given to the nation’s top senior golfer.
“Georgia Tech is really just about proving to yourself that you can do difficult things,” chuckled Castro, “like graduate from Georgia Tech.”
With the rise of the 2008 financial crisis, Castro’s job prospects outside the professional tours became far less appealing almost overnight. “The opportunity cost of playing pro golf was very, very low,” Castro reflected. “Luckily, I was able to have success as a pro from the get-go.”
Castro started out fighting for position on the mini-tours, banking checks as a consummate journeyman. After some narrow misses at consecutive Q-Schools, he waded through a Monday qualifier for the 2010 Wichita Open and carded a runner-up finish. This earned him a card for the following season on what’s now the Korn Ferry Tour, and it only took him one more year to parlay that into a spot on the PGA Tour.
“The most fun day of my professional career was the day I got my tour card,” said Castro. “I can say I figured out how good I was against the best in the world.”
“The biggest thing with playing professional golf is you get to meet so many interesting people and learn how to talk to them, peer to peer. That's been very helpful in the business world, to have a humble curiosity about people.”
In nine PGA Tour seasons, Castro finished runner-up twice, made multiple starts in every major and earned a spot in two Tour Championships.
As 2021 began — with burgeoning outside interests, a young family at home, and a rapidly evolving professional scene — Castro made the decision to retire.
“If you're going to invest in yourself, should you invest in a growing business or a declining one?” Castro said.
Castro had done a bit of freelance consulting for CapTech while he was still on tour, and the firm was impressed by his easy manner and industry expertise. Wanting to grow their golf division, the one-time-client offered Castro a full-time role as soon as he retired from professional play.
Throughout his tenure, Castro has helped to implement spectator-centric initiatives at all of the PGA of America’s significant events, including the 2024 and 2025 editions of the PGA Championship. He’s also overseen the development of the PGA Coach app, a platform that allows certified professionals to more easily connect with students.
“I’m a bit old school,” said Castro. “But there's definitely a place for technology to make golf a richer experience for people, whether they're viewing, whether they're playing, or whether they're attending.”
However, CapTech and Castro’s most well-known contribution to the sport can be found in a little after-hours simulator league down in Palm Beach Gardens. The firm was a driving force in the planning, development and execution of TGL, one of golf’s largest breakout success stories this year.
Castro’s unique position as an elite player for more than a decade has provided him with more than just the connections he’s utilized to great success at CapTech. His time on tour has been the basis for the interpersonal skills that have truly separated him from the pack.
“The biggest thing with playing professional golf is you get to meet so many interesting people and learn how to talk to them, peer to peer,” said Castro. “That's been very helpful in the business world, to have a humble curiosity about people.”
Daniel Polce
