Emporda Golf Club and Pals Golf Club will host The European Tour Qualifying School Finals for the first time this year when the event moves to northern Spain from November 15-20.
The two venues first hosted the Qualifying School Stage 2 in 1993 and are established, top quality venues to stage the six round examination for players hoping to earn Membership of The European Tour. The first four rounds will be played over both courses with Emporda hosting the final two rounds.
Stage 1 of the Qualifying School will be played from September 17-20 at the same five venues as last season - Carden Park Golf Club, Chart Hills Golf Club, Five Lakes Golf Club, and The Wynyard in England and Golf de Moliets in France.
Stage 2 will be played from November 7-10 at Peralada Golf Club and PGA Golf de Catalunya in Spain and St Cyprien in France. While Peralada has hosted Stage 2 since 1994 and St Cyprien Stage 2 from 1995 to 1998, it is the first time that PGA Golf de Catalunya has been used for The European Tour Qualifying School. The course has, however, previously hosted the Sarazen World Open, Open de España, STC Seniors Tour Championship and Seniors Tour Qualifying School.
Pals Golf Club is also no stranger to European Tour competition. The Open de España was played there in 1972, the Open de Cataluña Massimo Dutti in 1989, the Girona Open in 1991 and most recently the Heineken Open de Catalonia in 1994.
Mike Stewart, European Tour Qualifying School Director, said: "Emporda and Pals have proved themselves as great tests having hosted the Qualifying School Stage 2 for the past few years.
"Both Clubs have been very supportive and enthusiastic about the Qualifying School and were very keen to host the Finals when the opportunity arose. On behalf of The European Tour I would like to thank them for their continued support and co-operation.
"We are, of course, disappointed to leave San Roque Club and Club de Golf Sotogrande, two quality venues which have served the Tour well for many years. In Emporda and Pals we have two more excellent venues which are sure to provide the toughest of examinations.
"It is also a pleasure to be returning to all the venues in Stage 1 and to Peralada and St Cyprien for Stage 2 as well as playing at PGA Golf de Catalunya for the first time."
Emporda, designed by Robert Van Hagge, is a challenging American style layout with plenty of water features. One nine is very open and exposed while the other winds its way though a forest. It will provide a good contrast with Pals, a more traditional course where accuracy will be of a premium.
Mr. Bruno Figueras, President of Emporda Golf Club, said: "Over the past eight years we have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming The European Tour for Stage 2 of the Qualifying School and now we are delighted to be hosting the Finals for the first time and welcoming the future Members of The European Tour to our wonderful course."
Don Antonio Carol Vila-coro, President of Pals Golf Club, said: "We are delighted Pals Golf Club has been chosen to host The European Tour Qualifying School Finals for what is an extremely tough examination. Since 1993 we have watched players advance through Stage 2 and now we can look forward to following their progress as they tackle the final hurdle towards Membership of The European Tour."
