PGA Catalunya Resort being upgraded
PGA Catalunya Resort is a world class resort near Barcelona. It was designed in the year 1997 by Neil Coles and Angel Gallardo.
PGA Catalunya Resort is the number one golf course in Spain and has been crowned to be the 3rd best golf course in the whole of Europe.
The award-winning stadium course became partners with the European Tour and as part of that partnership, the course will undergo significant changes. The plan is to upgrade the course overall.
This upgrade is following the changes made in 2010/11. At that time, the grass of the fairways was changed. It was changed with resilient, this is the same grass used at Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament.
This Open has already been the venue for the French Open. Back then, it was won by France’s Thomas Levet. The course is also the venue of the Qualifying School Final Stage, held at the resort until at least 2014.
Work to upgrade the stadium course is on its way. The changes in the course include:
The course is to increase by 200 yards (currently it is 7,172 yards) to construct seven new Championship tees.
The third green is to be completely changed. The rough is going to be tapered to increase the difficulty level and the green would be extended to bring water more into play.
In the 11th hole the cutting of the rough would be lowered to create more of an island green.
More trees are being planted to add definition and tighten the landing area. More bunkers are going to be added to create more challenging drives on selected holes.
The European Tour’s Qualifying School Director, Mike Stewart said, “PGA Catalunya Resort’s reputation speaks for itself, and is among the very best golf venues that the European Tour visits”.
“The quality of its Tour and Stadium courses, as well as its facilities, is reflected in the numerous Qualifying School Final Stage events that have taken place here”.
“We are delighted that the club has committed to build on its new status as Spain’s best golf course and its suitability to host world-class tournaments by upgrading the Stadium Course,” he added.
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