PGA Catalunya Resort, Barcelona, has opened new, upgraded practice facilities in time for the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage.
The impressive new complex includes a 2,000 square-metre putting green and chipping area, with five bunkers each containing different sand types (Augusta,St Andrews,Hawaiivolcanic, PGA Catalunya Stadium Course sand bunker andPebbleBeach). The area also includes a PGA Catalunya Tour Course grass bunker for practising.
The driving range has also been upgraded with a new private tee for groups, target greens, bunkers and distance markers. The new upgrades feature four greens with different grasses – bermuda, bent, paspalum and poa.
The Finnish national team have already visited the European Tour Destination for their first winter training session, and will soon be followed by Norway’s elite amateurs.
Staffan Johansson, Head Coach of the Finnish National Team, led a party of 12 elite players to PGA Catalunya Resort this week. He said: “The facilities are very good. There is the opportunity to play and practice different shots. The large green is really excellent with a lot of flat spots for practice putting.
“We have been looking at new venues for training and will definitely come back – this could become our new winter home.”
Niklas Diethelm, Norway’s National Coach, will be bringing a squad of juniors to watch Qualifying School Final Stage in December, then play PGA Catalunya’s Tour and Stadium courses, with another event planned for approximately 40 players in January. He said: “We chose PGA Catalunya Resort because it is among the best courses inEuropeand is in good condition at that time of year. It is also a very convenient place for teams – we can stay on site in the hotel, we don’t need cars to get around, and we always get excellent service and tee times when we need them.
“I’ve been told that the practice facilities are among the best in Europe, so we can’t wait to go and see them ourselves.”
Among those who have visited and inspected the new complex is Mike Stewart, European Tour Qualifying School Director. He said: “I was hugely impressed with the new practice facilities, which complement and improve an already world-class golfing resort. I am sure that all the players competing at this year’s Qualifying School Final Stage in December will welcome the chance to use the new range and short game areas to sharpen their game before heading out to play the Stadium and Tour courses, which are always presented in immaculate condition.”
PGA Catalunya’s Stadium Course is ranked among the World’s Top 100 Courses, one of only two courses in Spain to feature in the exclusive list (Golf World).
The resort’s real estate is also progressing well with work recently being completed on PGA Catalunya’s two luxury show villas and semi-detached homes, which are now open for viewing.
PGA Catalunya Resort www.pgacatalunya.com