More than 700 hopefuls target PGA Catalunya Resort as European Tour Qualifying School First Stage intensifies
With European Tour Qualifying School First Stage underway across the Continent, PGA Catalunya Resort – ranked among the World’s Top 100 Courses – is all set to host the Final Stage for the third successive year.
The outstanding 36-hole resort close to Barcelona and the Costa Brava, originally conceived and built by the European Tour to host a Ryder Cup, is the focus for more than 700 elite players hoping to progress through the three-month, three-stage process, culminating in the Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort, 4-9 December 2010.
The six-round Final Stage, utilising both the Tour and Stadium Courses at PGA Catalunya Resort, will reward the top 30 players and ties with a European Tour card.
The Stadium Course, venue of last year’s Spanish Open, has undergone a significant upgrade during 2010 with resilient and drought resistant Bermuda grass being introduced to the fairways.
“PGA Catalunya Resort’s reputation speaks for itself – it is among the very best golf venues that the European Tour visits,” said David MacLaren, Director of Property and Venue Development for the European Tour. “Qualifying School Final Stage is a unique event and demands a 36-hole venue with world class golf courses, high quality clubhouse and hotel facilities, together with excellent communications and ease of access. PGA Catalunya Resort delivers in every aspect, which is why it is the ideal venue for European Tour events such as the Spanish Open and Qualifying School Final Stage.”
The wider PGA Catalunya Resort estate is currently being transformed and is poised to become the premier residential community in the Barcelona area. A number of golf-front villa plots have already been sold, while 15 semi-detached townhomes have also been released for sale. Luxury apartments will be available soon, while work on the community’s private sports and leisure club continues.
“It has been a momentous year for PGA Catalunya Resort, with the upgrade of the Stadium Course and the success of our residential development bucking the trend of the Spanish property market,” said PGA Catalunya Resort CEO, Billy O’Sullivan. “Both courses are in tremendous condition and will be an outstanding test of golf for Qualifying School finalists in December.”
Set amidst the backdrop that inspired Dali and Gaudi, PGA Catalunya Resort is ideally situated on 300 hectares just minutes from the cultural streets of Girona, a quick drive outside the diverse city life in Barcelona and an hour from the slopes of the Pyrenees for world-class ski resorts. Costa Brava sits at the doorstep offering over 20 Michelin-star restaurants, 160 km of beaches and enough outdoor activities to keep everyone happy. Inside, visionary architectural designs await showcasing idyllic vistas filled with majestic mountain peaks, lush golf greens and quintessential Spanish vibrancy
PGA Catalunya Resort www.pgacatalunya.com