Destination Golf Catalonia 2015 2015 | Page 34

2014 & 2015 OPEN DE ESPAÑA Catalonia is a true golfer’s paradise. With average annual temperatures of between 18 to 23 degrees, Catalonia is one of 17 autonomous regions in Spain, and consists of four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. 32 Catalonia Golf GUIDE 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 region’s capital, Barcelona, is of course one of the world’s leading tourist and cultural centres. Sprinkled all around with the architectural wonders of Gaudi and with more monuments, parks, museums, restaurants and bars than you could shake a castanet at; this is a city that must be seen to be believed. Girona and the famed Costa Brava coastline lie to the north, and the pristine beaches and crystalclear waters of the area – coupled with the picture-postcard fishing villages dotted all along – have been luring tourists to the area for decades. Testament to this fantastic golf destination, the Spanish Open (or the Open de España as it’s now called) was staged here in 2014 and again in 2015.