The Qualifying School will reach its climax at PGA Catalunya Resort for the eighth successive season when the Girona-based venue, a European Tour Destination, holds the Final Stage from November 14-19, 2015.
PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium and Tour courses – co-designed by Neil Coles and Angel Gallardo – will again host the six-round finale of the Qualifying School, which gets underway with the First Stage Section A on September 15.
The award-winning resort first held the Final Stage in 2008 and will continue to play host until at least 2017, having recently extended its existing deal by three years.
Last year’s Qualifying School attracted 924 entrants, with 156 progressing to the Final Stage and 27 ultimately earning their playing privileges on The 2015 European Tour International Schedule.
Notable graduates from the 2014 Qualifying School include Indian Anirban Lahiri, who has gone on to capture two European Tour titles since claiming the 17th card at the Final Stage last November; and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, currently inside the top 40 in The Race to Dubai thanks chiefly to three top five finishes so far this season.
Julio Delgado, Chief Executive Officer of PGA Catalunya Resort, said: “We feel privileged to host such an accomplished group of players year after year, and strive each time to offer them the best conditions possible so they can focus on what is sure to be a long and stressful week.
“We have continued to fine-tune the Stadium Course, making sure it is always tournament-ready, with fast greens and challenging rough that will provide a great test of golf. David Bataller, our head greenkeeper, has also worked on emphasising the natural contours of the course to accentuate its ‘stadium’ feel, which will undoubtedly add to the atmosphere of the week.”
Mike Stewart, The European Tour’s Qualifying School Director, said: “PGA Catalunya Resort has been a permanent fixture as the venue for the Final Stage of the Qualifying School since 2008, and the decision to extend the agreement to 2017 and hopefully beyond shows how delighted we are with the facilities on offer at the resort.
“With its two magnificent courses, first-class practice facilities and adjoining hotel, I can think of no better venue for our Final Stage; and it is telling that, despite the stressful and intense nature of the week, the players are always extremely complimentary of the venue.
“We are already looking forward to returning to the resort in November and working alongside Julio and his team, who always go out of their way to ensure our visit is a warm one.”
As well as being crowned the 2015 European Golf Resort of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), PGA Catalunya Resort was also voted Spain’s Best Course in the inaugural World Golf Awards.
The awards were among the latest in a series of high-profile accolades for the resort, which include being voted Spain’s number one golf course by Top100GolfCourses.co.uk (2012-2015), the Best Golf Development in Europe (2013-2014) at the European Property Awards, and being listed among the World’s Top 100 Golf Courses by one of the UK’s leading golf magazine, Golf World.
European Tour www.europeantour.com
PGA Catalunya Resort www.pgacatalunya.com
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