The world-renowned Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness has benefited from a sustainability-focused €1million upgrade as Spain’s number one golf resort prepares to host the DP World Tour’s Catalunya Championship.
Regularly ranked among the top 20 golf courses of Continental Europe, the Stadium Course is set to welcome top professionals from April 28-May 1, 2022, who will be among the first to play the newly upgraded tournament course modelled on Augusta National and TPC Sawgrass.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to enhance the design and definition of the layout and bunker surrounds, as well as improve the speed and quality of the greens,” said David Bataller, PGA Catalunya’s Director of Agronomy.
“The addition of fescue grass around the greens, perfectly suited to the Mediterranean climate, will test the very best players, while the enhanced drainage of the new-look Stadium Course will ensure firm playability in all weather.
He added: “The redesigned 10th hole will challenge players from the tee on what is now a striking dog-leg left. Over on the sixth hole, changes to the tee position and the fairway have created more options for players and added a layer of strategy that will test all levels of golfer.
“We are eager to present the new-look Stadium Course to the players, spectators and millions of viewers, who will be following the action unfold during the Catalunya Championship.”
As part of the investment, the Stadium Course now benefits from a new irrigation system which requires 25% less watering and uses recycled water, underlining PGA Catalunya’s efforts to be a sustainable resort that encourages and enhances the area’s eco-diversity.
Further improvements awaiting the professionals at the European Tour Destinations venue are to the five-hectare driving range and practice area, where course conditions have been meticulously replicated for the best possible warm-up experience – even to include a replica of the iconic par-three 11th green.
“Players can now practise in true on-course conditions, with real greens surrounded by rough and white sand bunkers,” said David Bataller, who added the renovation of the course’s tees was among the resort’s future projects alongside tree planting to define fairways and bunkers.
PGA Catalunya placed 18th in a new Top 100 World Resorts 2021 ranking to continue its reign as Spain’s best golf resort and has already outlined investments of more than €11m in 2022.
CEO, David Plana, said: “PGA Catalunya is no stranger to top-level golf having hosted the Open de España on three occasions and we cannot wait to showcase our upgraded Stadium Course to the world during the Catalunya Championship.
“We look forward to extending a warm, PGA Catalunya welcome to the players, spectators and all those in attendance this spring.”
PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness opened to huge acclaim in 1999 and has since hosted three Opens de España (2000, 2009 and 2014), nine European Tour Qualifying School Final Stages (2008-16) and the 2019 European Tour Destinations Senior Classic, as well as the 2021 European Amateur Team Championship, which earned the Stadium Course great praise for its outstanding condition and challenging set-up.
For more information about PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness, visit www.pgacatalunya.com