GIRONA, SPAIN - PGA
Catalunya Resort, near Barcelona, has reinforced its position as one of
Europe's finest golf destinations with the announcement that its Stadium Course
has become the highest ranked Spanish course in Golf World's influential 'Top
100 Courses in Continental Europe' listing, published in the November 2013
issue of the magazine.
The 6,705-metre course,
which has twice hosted the Spanish Open, has risen from 8th to 5th in the new
Golf World magazine ranking, one of the oldest and most authoritative in
European golf.
PGA Catalunya Resort's
growing reputation as one of Europe 's
must-visit golf venues comes as recognition of the significant enhancements
that have been made to the Stadium Course over the past 18 months, under the
supervision of designers Neil Coles MBE and Angel Gallardo. These include:
Construction of seven new
championship tees, lengthening the course by approximately 185 metres
Toughening up the iconic,
lakeside 3rd green by tapering rough to make a narrower entrance, and extending
the back of the green into the lake to bring the water more into play
Lowering the cut of the
rough around the expansive par-3 11th green to collar length, to create more of
an island green
Planting 10 large cork
trees to the right of the 18th fairway to add definition and tighten the
landing area
Adding green-guarding
bunkers to create more challenging approaches on selected holes.
The project also follows
an extensive upgrade in 2010/11 when the grass type on the fairways was
switched to resilient, drought-resistant Bermuda grass – the same variety used
at Augusta National, home of the US Masters.
Commenting on the decision
to make the Stadium Course Spain ’s
No. 1 for the first time, Golf World Magazine editor, Nick Wright, said:
"Having played the Stadium Course this year, I was able to see first hand
why it has earned its rise in our rankings. From the moment you step onto the
first tee, you are very aware that you are on a 'proper' golf course. You are
challenged from your opening tee shot to the approach on the 18th. At the same
time, it's a golf course that is very playable and can be enjoyed by all
abilities.
"The recent course
changes have, in our opinion, further enhanced that playing experience. Blend
in the very obvious investment in off-course facilities and real estate and you
have a world-class facility in stunning surroundings. And we haven't even
touched on the practice facilities – in my experience among the very best in Europe . You could quite easily spend a day working on
your game and (almost) have as much fun as you would on the course
itself."
This year, the 36-hole
venue -a European Tour Destination- also saw the opening of The Residents'
Club, an exclusive luxury sport and leisure complex for the resort's property
owners, as well as a variety of new luxury villas and apartments.
The Resort was named 'Best
Golf Development in Europe' at the European Property Awards in London on September 24, in recognition of the
continued investment and development of the estate.
Other landmarks have
included the opening of the world's first Sergio Garcia Junior Golf Academy,
the Spanish golfer's first teaching academy, the 2,000 square-metre putting and
short game green, the only one of its kind in Europe, becoming home to Dave
Pelz's Scoring Game School in Spain, and the announcement of a three-year
partnership with the European Tour, which sees the Qualifying School Final
Stage return to PGA Catalunya Resort until at least 2014.
PGA Catalunya Resort Chief
Executive, Julio Delgado, said: "Our reputation as a world-class facility
is growing rapidly and our rise in Golf World Magazine's rankings not only
recognises the Stadium Course as Spain's No.1, but underlines the focused
investment we are continually making in our facilities to further enhance the
experience for members, visitors and our growing community of property
owners."
Less than an hour's drive
from the vibrant city of Barcelona and only 20 minutes from the Michelin-star
restaurants of Girona, the 36-hole resort has consistently ranked among the 10
best European golf venues since it opened in 1999, attracting discerning
golfers, international elite amateur teams and professionals, as well as major
international events, including two Spanish Opens, the 1999 Sarazen World Open and
European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage events since 2008.