European Tour Properties Invitational hosted by PGA Catalunya Resort

PGA Catalunya Resort near Girona, which was recently named as Number One in Spain in Golf World’s ‘Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe’ listing for 2014, had the opportunity recently to display the qualities which helped the Resort to achieve that superb rating.<br /><br />The venue played host to the 11th annual European Tour Properties Invitational Tournament – a 36-hole challenge over the excellent Stadium and Tour courses at the Resort. The popular event, hosted by European Tour Properties every year but one since 2002, also delivered a home victory with the PGA Catalunya Resort 1 team emerging triumphant at the close of two enjoyable days on and off the course.<br /><br />European Tour Properties is a network of world class golf venues featuring championship courses, a comprehensive range of facilities both on and off the course, providing unrivalled service standards for members and guests.<br /><br />PGA Catalunya Resort, which has hosted both the Open de España and The European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in recent years, has earned its reputation as one of the continent’s leading resorts due to a number of significant enhancements both on and off the course.<br /><br />This year, for the first time, a resort from the Middle East was represented at the Tour Properties Invitational, as a warm welcome was extended to Neal Graham, the General Manager – Golf Operations, of Jumeirah Golf Estates, which next month hosts the DP World Tour Championship – the conclusion of The Race to Dubai  - on The European Tour International Schedule.<br /><br />A total of nine teams, comprising representatives from the host venue, Estonian Golf & Country Club, Golf & Country Club Fleesensee, Quinta do Lago Jumeirah Golf Estates and The European Tour participated in the event, while a number of delegates also took part in an interesting Real Estate tour by Agustin La Rocca, Commercial Business Development Director for PGA Catalunya Resort.<br /><br />The successful ‘home’ team at the end of two days of competition comprised Miguel Girbes Martin, Edouard des Fontaines, Andrew Smith and Jorge Piera Vivo and it was left to their team captain, Martin, to deliver the victory speech.<br /><br />He said: “It would appear that – as in football – ‘home advantage’ can be an important factor! Every one of the delegates enjoyed the Invitational, which is one of the highlights of the year when we can all compare notes about the golf business. We would like to thank European Tour Properties for organising a thoroughly enjoyable event.”<br /><br />David MacLaren, Director of Property and Venue Development for The European Tour, said: “The Invitational is a wonderful opportunity for our network of world class venues to play golf and socialise in lovely surroundings. We all enjoy these gatherings, which also serve a constructive purpose in enabling everyone involved to keep in close touch with what is happening in the golf industry.”