Open de España is the national open golf
championship of Spain, which has been part of the
European Tour’s International schedule since its
inception back in 1972. In 2005, it was one of five
European Tour events to be held in Spain. Former
champions include Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros,
Bernhard Langer, and Nick Faldo.
Located an hour’s drive from the vibrant city of
Barcelona and only 20 minutes from the Michelinstarred restaurants of Girona, the stunning 36-hole
venue of PGA Catalunya Resort welcomed back the
Open de España for a third time in 2014.
No stranger to major international tournaments,
PGA Catalunya hosted the Sarazen World Open
in its inaugural year, and a short six months later
it staged its first Open de España. It was recently
awarded the accolade of best course in Spain
by the Top100Courses website, while Golf World
magazine has judged the Stadium Course at number
five in their most recent 100 Best Courses in
Continental Europe. In November 2014, it added to
its impressive tally of global accolades by winning the
Spain’s Best Golf Course category in the inaugural
World Golf Awards,
Julio Delgado, Chief Executive of PGA Catalunya
Resort, said: “The Open de España is the only
European Tour event in Spain in 2014 and so it is
fitting that it is returning to the country’s number
one ranked golf course, the Stadium Course at
PGA Catalunya Resort. The venue has undergone
a transformation in the past five years, with a
significant upgrade to the Stadium Course, new
practice facilities and the development of luxury golf
properties around a private residents’ club.”
In May 2014, a top field of professional golfers
assembled to be challenged by the 7,333 yard layout.
The biggest names in Spanish golf were particular
crowd favourites. Sergio Garcia, Jose Maria
Olazabal, Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Angel Jimenez all
took time to sign autographs, speak to fans and get
their photos taken with youngsters – inspiring a new
generation of golfers.
To the supporters delight, victory went to Miguel
Angel Jimenez. The 50 year old was in red hot form
before the event, after a fourth place finish at The
Masters the previous month, followed by a victory
in his Champion Tour debut 7-days later. Speaking
on Europeantour.com website about how special it
is to win on home soil, Jimenez commented: “There
are no words to describe what it means to me,
you need to be into my skin but I’m not going to let
you!” Jiménez said. “It’s amazing. It’s my 21st victory
on The European Tour and 27 times I played the
Spanish Open. I have been close a couple of times.
Today it was very tough out there but I got it in the
end. “All the victories are special, all are unique,
some of them give you more money, some less, but
all of them are important. You play to win and when
you make it you have to appreciate it”.
The popular champion golfer will be looking to defend
his title, when the 2015 event moves down the
road to Real Club de Golf El Prat on the outskirts of
Barcelona.
Comprising of 45-holes and designed by Greg
Norman, Real Club de Golf El Prat is one of the
leading venues for the Spanish Open. It has played
host on nine previous occasions (1956, 1959, 1963,
1971, 1978, 1981, 1998, 1999, and 2011).
Victory in the Open de España 2011 event went
to South African golfer Thomas Aiken with a ten
under par total of 278, beating Danish golfer Anders
Hansen by two shots and local favourite Pablo
Larrazabal by three shots. This was an emotionally
charged event with the recent passing of Seve
Ballesteros, which saw all of the players again
wearing black ribbons in memory of the Spanish
superstar. Commenting on the Europeantour.com
website, the Johannesburg golfer was quick to
dedicate his first European Title to the great man:
“It’s been a sad week with Seve passing away,” he
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