With average annual temperatures of between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius and over thirty-seven superb golf courses, Catalonia is the ideal golfing destination. This October, golfers from all over Europe will compete in a brand new golf festival at some of the finest golf courses in Catalonia.
This brand new golf festival was launched in the UK & Ireland in April 2011 by Destination Golf Media Ltd and Barcelona Golf, in association with Agència Catalana de Turisme. Across a 2-month period, 2,500 golfers competed in fifteen promotional golf events for the Catalonia International Golf Festival (CIGF) in the UK & Ireland. A host of prizes were presented at each event, including generous prizes from Torres Wine, which originates from its vineyard located just outside Barcelona in Catalonia.
Taking place from Tuesday 4th October to Friday 7th October 2011, golfers competing at the Catalonia International Golf Festival (CIGF) are sure to get pleasure from playing PGA Catalunya, Club de Golf de Barcelona and Real Club de Golf El Prat, host to the Spanish Open 2011.
The event is an Open Singles event across 3-day, where anybody with an Official handicap can participate in, but the winners of each of these promotional events has received a sponsors invitation to compete in the golf festival. A player’s two best scores from the three rounds will go forward for prizes, which will be presented at the gala meal on the final night.
ABOUT CATALONIA
Catalonia is one of seventeen autonomous communities in the Kingdom of Spain. Catalonia itself is divided into four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. Often described as one of the most naturally beautiful parts of Europe, Catalonia is bordered by the Alpine peaks and ski resorts of the North, the fruit growing countryside of Aragon to the West, the Valencian municipalities to the South, and by 580km of coastline and the Mediterranean Sea to the East. The main languages are Spanish and Catalan. The Capital of Catalonia is Barcelona, one of the worlds leading tourist, economic and cultural centres and home to the architectural wonders of Gaudi. A giant in European Tourism, Barcelona boasts a vast array of parks, museums, monuments and beaches. To the North lies the province of Girona and the renowned Costa Brava coastline. Here you will fine a rugged coastline of crystal waters and excellent beaches. Tourism has replaced fishing as the main industry, but the small fishing villages that are dotted along the coastline add to its unique charm. The province of Tarragona to the South is rich with historical splendours including medieval walls and the remains of a Roman aqueduct. It is also home to the spectacular Costa Daurada coastline and the main holiday resort of Salou. International Airports in Catalonia are located at Barcelona, Girona (North) and Reus (South).
PGA DE CATALUNYA
PGA de Catalunya is a truly stunning course with the Pyrenees as a backdrop, which only adds to its magic. It was designed by Neil Coles and Angel Gallardo and after only opening at the end of 1998, has already hosted the Sarazen World Open in 1999 and the Spanish Open in 2000, the only course to host two European Tour events within 10 months of opening. In November 2008 the finals of the European Tour Qualifying School were held on both the Stadium and Tour Courses and nine years later history was repeated when the PGA Catalunya once again held the Spanish Open in April 2009.
CLUB DE GOLF DE BARCELONA
Barcelona Golf Course was designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and founded in 1990. This is a very demanding and tight course even for the best of golfers and is sure to prove a test of character. This highly rated golf course is beautifully maintained and has hosted numerous professional tournaments including the 2007 Catalonia Ladies Masters, part of the Ladies European Tour. Set on the border of the Penedes wine growing region, Barcelona Golf Club commands some spectacular views of the Montserrat Mountain. Practice facilities at this course are superb with a double ended driving range, and it also a 9-hole course to train on.
REAL CLUB DE GOLF EL PRAT
The Real Club de Golf El Prat Golf course comprising of 45-holes and designed by Greg Norman is set in beautiful rolling countryside on the outskirts of Barcelona. It also has a public school and 9-hole course. Like any Championship course, it aims to test the golfers’ ability. El Real Club de Golf El Prat is an exclusive and private club, but arrangements can be made to play here and we are delighted to include it as one of our three venues. In May 2011, Real Club de Golf El Prat was the venue for the Spanish Open 2011, thus highlighting its Championship calibre and the region of Catalonia as a quality golf destination
HUSA MASIA BACH
The Official Hotel of the Catalonia International Golf Festival (CIGF) is Husa Masia Bach Hotel. Positioned in natural surroundings between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of Montserrat, the hotel is built in the modernist style typical of the Penedes region. Located next to Club de Golf de Barcelona, it is a hotel highly recommended for all those who enjoy playing golf, with modern facilities and numerous comforts for enjoying the select Mediterranean cuisine of its exquisite restaurant, which highlights a select and viewable wine cellar with wines and cavas from the region. The hotel is an ideal base to play golf and also to visit Montserrat and the Penedes wine region.
More information about the Catalonia International Golf Festival (CIGF) can be obtained from:
Dermot Synnott, Destination Golf Media Ltd (Event Management, Marketing & Promotions)
Email: director@destinationgolf.ie
Ian Denham, Barcelona Golf (Official Tour Operator – Bookings & Enquiries)
Email: iandenham@barcelonagolf.com
Websites:
www.barcelonagolf.com
http://golf.catalunya.com/es/index.php
http://www.act.cat/
