The Costa Brava region near Barcelona has seen its position as one of continental Europe’s best golf travel destinations reinforced by the latest Top100golfcourses.co.uk ranking, which has crowned PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course as the No.1 golf course in Spain.
In Top100golfcourses.co.uk’s classification of Spain’s top 100 courses, five of Costa Brava’s venues feature within the top half, with two-time Spanish Open host and venue of four consecutive European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage events, PGA Catalunya Resort Stadium Course replacing Valderrama as Spain’s No.1 golf experience.
Empordà Golf’s two courses - Links and Forest - were at numbers 16 and 23 respectively, PGA Catalunya Resort’s Tour Course came in at number 29, closely followed by Golf Platja de Pals’ 18-hole par-73 at number 31.
Commenting on the recent rankings, Director of Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, Ramón Ramos, said: “Golfers in search of the best Spanish course should now head to Girona and the Costa Brava region, where PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course has finally knocked Valderrama from the Spanish top spot.”
“Since we were awarded ‘Emerging Golf Destination of the Year’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) over a decade ago, we have focused our efforts on putting Costa Brava firmly on the golfing map.
“The region boasts many enjoyable golf courses, each offering different playing experiences and sharply contrasting landscapes, which, combined with our rich cultural and historical heritage and authentic Catalan cuisine, provide the ideal mix of ingredients for truly memorable golf breaks,” he continued."
Costa Brava’s Club Golf D’Aro-Mas Nou, located at the heart of a nature park containing thousands of olive trees, pines, holm and cork oaks, 300m above sea level, was also featured as a ‘gem’ - presenting a lot of potential for future rankings.
Other golf courses in Costa Brava worthy of a visit include:
- Club de Golf Peralada - featuring a luxury hotel and wine spa that offer stunning views of the Pyrenees
- Club de Golf Costa Brava - one of the region’s oldest golf courses that presents a good test for players of all standards
- Torremirona Golf Club - provides the ideal challenge for mid-level golfers and wonderful views of the Pyrenees and the bay of Roses
- Golf Girona - the only course in Spain sown entirely with Penncross, the highest quality grass for golf
The region boasts impressive Par 3 Pitch & Putt courses, such as Gualta and Papalús – perfect for those looking to perfect their short game or for a quick and pleasant round.
Ramón Ramos added: “We have come a long way in promoting Costa Brava as a must-visit golfing destination - and with the latest Top100golfcourses.co.uk rankings and Today’s Golfer’s Travel Awards, as well as National Geographic Traveler’s recognition as a top 20 ‘Best of the World 2012’ destination, I believe we are cementing our status one of Europe’s best golfing destinations.”
Additional information on Costa Brava can be found at www.costabrava.org and www.golf.costabrava.org
