In a week where it essential for competitors to have every aspect of their game in top shape, the 156 European Tour hopefuls who arrived in Girona, northern Spain, early last week for the Qualifying School Final Stage have been afforded the best possible chance, with the help of the stunning new practice facilities recently unveiled at PGA Catalunya Resort.

Opened in October 2011, the new practice area at the stunning 36-hole resort has only served to further enhance the already-stellar facilities that have seen The European Tour Course host the Sarazen World Open in 1999 and Open de España in 2000 and 2009, as well as providing the home for the annual Qualifying School finale each year since 2008.

Alongside the impressive driving range offering superb views over the Tour Course sits the vast new 2,000 square metre putting green and chipping area, while four different types of grass are used on the practice greens and five bunkers – each containing a different type of sand – replicate the traps of some of the world’s most iconic golf layouts.

Speaking on behalf of the Resort, Superintendent David Batailler, who supervised the design and development of the new facilities, talked about the inspiration behind the innovative project.

He said: “At the beginning we had a very good approach area but it was too small to host big events, so we decided to build a bigger area so we could host, for example, the Qualifying School which is almost 160 players, and they can all practice here at the same time.”

The resort has already received a number of accolades in its short life, in particular the spectacular Stadium Course, which has been ranked in Golf World and Golf Monthly magazines’ World and European top 100 lists on a number of occasions.

Co-designed by European Tour champions and Board of Directors Members Angel Gallardo and Neil Coles, the two championship layouts have now been complemented by the new practice facilities at PGA Catalunya Resort, and one of its most notable features is the range of different bunkers available that provide a truly global practice experience.

“The idea was that any player who comes here to practice should of course practice things they can then try on the golf course,” Batailler continued. “But we have lots of players who come here to practice things they are also going to be using in other places in the world.

“So as well as having a bunker to replicate those on the Stadium Course, the idea was to have a St Andrews style bunker; a Pebble Beach bunker; an Augusta National bunker – which is bigger sand than the Stadium Course; the organic style just in case you go to Hawaii and play Kapalua, for example, or if you got to the Canary Islands or any island that is in a volcanic region then they will use this type of sand.”

The monstrous putting green is qualified as creeping bentgrass and is made up of a mixture of A4 and A1, providing a premium and traditional surface to rival the top European greens, as Batailler attests.

“The putting green has got many different areas, one with a lot of humps and dunes inside where you have to think about the approach of the putt, and there is also a very steep-hilled area so you can practice up and downhill putts in many different ways.

“And then we also have a very flat area that we created with a laser that is completely flat and a straight line. We use very small holes in that area too, so if you putt into the line and it doesn’t go into the hole it is your fault and not the green’s fault!”

As well as the variety of bunker sands available in the practice area at PGA Catalunya Resort, players and visitors are offered practice greens of four different types of grass, from the aforementioned bentgrass, to Bermuda, paspalum and a soon to be completed poa area.
 
Batailler said: “Usually if bentgrass is well maintained it is nice and firm while poa tends to be softer and if you approach to a poa green the ball will always stop, so it allows players to practice their approach work and putting on a variety of different greens.”

David MacLaren, Director of Property and Venue Development for The European Tour, said: “I think PGA Catalunya Resort are to be applauded for their foresight and their creativity in developing a type of practice facilities that I think I have not seen anywhere in Europe.

“I think the particular elements they have introduced into their facilities in terms of the variety of bunker sands and different playing surfaces will be of huge benefit to golfers of all abilities from amateur golfers visiting Catalunya for a holiday, all the way up to Federations bringing their elite squads here, and also the professionals who are here this week trying to earn their Tour cards.

“It is not just an enhancement to PGA Catalunya Resort, it is also therefore an enhancement to the whole European Tour Properties network.”

The new facilities have also received glowing praise from the players competing at this week’s Qualifying School Final Stage, including from the leader over the first four days, England’s Sam Hutsby.

He said: “I was gobsmacked when I first saw the new practice facilities. The old chipping green wasn’t bad, but this new area takes the place to a whole new level. All the guys here this week have been blown away by the facilities – it’s the perfect place to come and practice your short game. It’s been a privilege to use them, and I’m sure they’ve helped me with my game so far this week.”

Meanwhile, South African Branden Grace, who was tied for third place after the fourth round cut, also reserved approval for the development of the new practice area at PGA Catalunya.

He said: “What they’ve done here is tremendous. I’ve been to a lot of golf clubs all over the world, and there aren’t many with better practice facilities than they have here now. So with both courses always in immaculate condition, especially the greens, it’s the perfect venue for a golf tournament.”

PGA Catalunya Resort has retained a long-standing relationship with The European Tour, as not only were the courses designed by Gallardo and Coles and have played host to prominent European Tour events, but the resort is a member of the prestigious European Tour Properties network that includes other such esteemed venues as the London Club, Le Golf National, and most recently Terre Blanche, an exquisite venue located in the heart of Provence, France.

See the related content on this article for a gallery of pictures of the stunning new practice facilities at PGA Catalunya Resort.