Destination Golf Catalonia 2015 2016 | Page 37

El Prat & La Mola The Real Club de Golf El Prat Golf course comprising of 45-holes and designed by Greg Norman is set in beautiful rolling countryside on the outskirts of Barcelona and is a test for any golfer. It is widely regarded as one of the most important and prestigious clubs in Spain, having been granted the title of Royal (Red) by King Alfonso XIII to introduce golf to the region of Catalonia in 1912. 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, 2011). Famous players like Ballesteros, Faldo, Langer, Watson and legendary players like Cotton, Bradshaw, and DeVicenzo and John Jacobs have all played here. In May 2015, it will host Open de España for an amazing tenth time. Real Club de Golf El Prat is an exclusive and private club but arrangements can be made to play here. It forms part of a 260-hectare complex outfitted with cutting-edge equipment. The beautiful clubhouse building, is the heart of the facility. Restaurant, snack bar, pools, paddle tennis courts and children´s club round off a varied leisure offer. Other facilities include driving range, proshop, golf school and 9-hole public course. The impressive DoubleTree La Mola by Hilton hotels completes this prestigious golf resort. The 4-star superior hotel has 186 guest rooms, including 20 Deluxe rooms and 2 Junior Suites. The 800m2 Spa and Wellness Centre has five treatment rooms, sauna, steam bath, fitness room and outdoor swimming pool. This is an ideal venue to stay when visiting Barcelona/Catalonia region. 35