Stadium Course

Despite only opening for play in the late 1990s, PGA Golf Catalunya has established itself firmly in the exclusive list of Spain's best, aided by the award of a number of prestigious national and international events, both amateur and professional. The highlight came when the course was chosen to host two European Tour events in the space of 10 months, the Gene Sarazen World Open and the Peugeot Spanish Open.

A culmination of more than a decade of planning and design by the European Tour, Angel Gallardo and Neil Coles, The Stadium Course offers an exciting and testing examination of golf and, due to the fact that each hole can be played from one of five separate tee positions, even golfers with the most modest of handicaps can enjoy the ride. It is from the back tees though that the Stadium Course really bares its teeth.

Measuring over 7,200 yards from the tips, the Stadium Course requires solid hitting but it’s not simply a case of strength over strategy. Winding its way through the foothills Pyrenees, the Stadium Course features a number of large lakes, tree lined fairways that pinch in at specific distances and well bunkered greens which are maintained to the highest possible standard year-round.

All of this calls for plenty of thought and strategy from the tee and with a great deal of variety throughout, the test of golf on offer here is a dynamic and infinitely enjoyable one.

2014 Open de España

After 26 previous unsuccessful attempts, Miguel Angel Jimenez finally saluted at his home open – winning a sudden-death play-off over Richard Green of Australia and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters. Jimenez let slip an early two-shot lead, the trio finishing locked at 4-under before returning to the 18th for a play-off. All three failed to find the fairway and green in regulation, but Jimenez’s up-and-down proved enough to secure his 21st European Tour title and extend his own record as the oldest winner in the Tour’s history. Asked the secret of his longevity, Jiménez said: "There is no secret. Good food, good wine, good cigars and some exercise!"

Tour Course

The Tour Course at PGA Catalunya may be considered as the poor relation to the epic Stadium Course but that is no slight on the test of golf it offers golfers travelling to this sunny corner of Spain.

Measuring 6,453 yards, The Tour Course is far less challenging than its illustrious sibling but it remains equally as enjoyable. Fairways are more generous but tee shots must still be played with care though as, like the Stadium Course, this charming layout is bordered by majestic woodland and with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards lurking in the most cunning of positions, approach shots must be carefully considered as well.