You can find the leaderboard and tee times of the Barcelona’s Championship.
Players at 2nd February at 17h
See the Championship rules (Spanish)
Real Club de Golf El Prat kicks off th season 2021 with two international tournaments that count towards the World amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Due to the current pandemic, any competition that is not professional or amateur at an international level had to be suspended. Many companies dedicated to golf events have been forced to suspend all activity and this has also had in impact on golf clubs.
The most exclusive Club of Barcelona hosts around 80 amateur tournaments every year so that members and visitors can test their game on the two courses designed by golf legend Greg Norman, the Pink and the Yellow courses.
The demanding and technical Pink is an opportunity to play a competition course near the city of Barcelona where great golfers, like Severiano Ballesteros or Tom Watson, have competed and won.
The wider and more affordable Yellow is the perfect course for any level of player who wants to enjoy a course in great conditions and still shoot a good score. In 2020, the yellow course has been remodeled, with Greg Norman’s supervision, with the intention to have a more sustainable golf course and improve its playability. The plan includes the reduction of the number of bunkers and the re-design of some others but maintaining the level of play, among other things. Without a doubt, it is the right time to come and play Barcelona´s best golf courses.
Among the large number of tournaments organized at El Prat there were competitions such as the Audi Tournament, Audemars Piguet Tournament, or internationally amateur championships that can only be played in high-level courses as Real Club de Golf El Prat in Barcelona.
From February 12 to 14, 2021 the Men’s and Women’s Individual Barcelona Championship will be held on the Pink course. A total of 90 players, 69 gentlemen and 21 ladies, will compete in a tournament valid for the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Therefore, the elite of amateur golf will meet at Real Club de Golf El Prat to perform at their best in a 10 times European Tour venue in Barcelona.
In order to registrate to the competition, players can do it before February 8th by clicking here.
And this is not the only tournament to start the year off. In fact, from March 3rd to March 7th, the Spanish International Amateur Championship, “ La Copa S.M. El Rey 2021” will be hosted at Real Club de Golf El Prat. What is more, the event counts for the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and the best amateurs in Europe will gather at the Real Club de Golf El Prat to compete at the highest level in Europe. In this case, the tournament is only for men with a maximum handicap of 1.4 and a total of 90 players.
Thus, players who meet the requirements mentioned above can register through the website of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation before February 3, 2021.
Bruno Rosal, President of the RCG El Prat Competition committee “Despite the times we are living in, it is a satisfaction that a golf course in the province of Barcelona is hosting two tournaments of great importance at an international and national level. The course is in perfect condition so that the best amateurs can play their best golf.”
You can sign up to the Barcelona’s Championship that will be host from the 12th to the 14th of February on the Pink course at Real Club de Golf El Prat.
Players at 2nd February at 17h
The maximum of players is 90. (69 men and 21 women)
PRICE
Members at RCGP: 30€
No RCGP members: 95€
No RCGP memers boy/girl category and below: 65€
See the Championship rules (spanish)
Golf has become even more popular this 2020 after the pandemic of Covid-19 and one of the main reasons is the fact that is played outdoors and individually. Two facts well appreciated nowadays in consequence of the situation that has affected our world and the multiple confinements that we had to live as a desperate attempt to reduce the numbers. Therefore, golf is one of the safest sports to practice in 2020 and still in 2021.
The fact that golf can be played outdoors has been key to encouraging many players to retake the game, start for the first time or visit the golf course even more. The golf business has notice an increase of the number of players during this 2020 who want to enjoy the peaks of playing golf in Barcelona. Plus, it is known that outdoors the virus do not survive as much, something great at any time of the year. In addition, after the hard months of confinement, who did not want to enjoy nature and fresh air? i9It is not only healthy for the body, but also for the mind and soul.
What is more, the Real Club de Golf El Prat has enhanced the natural safety of golf through specific measures against Covid. Some examples are the use of masks and hand sanitizer, enable prepared areas of the Club House, encouraging online booking to get a tee time or organizing specific areas to leave the golf equipment for disinfected procedures. Those are measures implemented since the course, located a few kilometers from Barcelona, reopened in June and the feedback has been very positive.
Several studies show that golf is healthy and can extend the life of its players up to 5 years, according to Dr. A. Murray. Above all, it is recommended for patients with cardiovascular, neurological or mental health problems because it is practiced outdoors, with low impact and that requires a mental effort to hit the ball.
Thanks to its low impact, the injuries that can be caused by playing golf are low, which is why its practice is recommended at all ages, especially from 65 years and up. On the other hand, injuries that someone might suffer are due, in most cases, to performing the movement wrong.
Regarding mental health, during these months of health crisis and according to WHO studies, there has been a growth of mental problems cases caused, among other things, from both physical and mental isolation. Golf requires concentration and allows the player, for several hours, to escape from day to day problems and enjoy the surroundings and the company (with a safe distance, of course).
Being able to practice a safe sport today has been positively reflected in the number of players with an increase of golf licences in Spain with a total of 271,788, which represents a positive growth of 0.1% compared to 2019 ( 318 more licenses according to the Real Federación Española de Golf).
At Real Club de Golf El Prat we have had also new members joining our Club and enjoying our Greg Norman’s golf courses. Its ideal location near Barcelona and the high quality of its courses are a great attraction for golf lovers.
This 2021 we hope to offer fun and excellence to all our players and visitors who are encouraged to continue practicing their favorite sport. In our Club, we will continue to work on safety, not only for our players, but also for the whole society so together we can overcome this situation.
The Real Club de Golf El Prat is once again a pioneer in the Spanish golf industry. In this case, with an Ecobunker project, which is part of a Sustainable Golf Course Plan. The goal of the Barcelona golf course is to have the most sustainable course possible by reducing maintenance hours and the amount of water and preserving the native fauna of the region.
One of the actions of this plan has been the remodelling of the yellow course, improving its playability with the reduction of a large number of bunkers, always with the approval of its designer Greg Norman. Another action has been the implementation of Ecobunkers, a type of sustainable bunker that reminds us of the best courses in England.
For the first time in Spain and Portugal, a golf course introduces artificial bunkers on its course. The Real Club de Golf El Prat has been in charge of bringing this project to Spain and the result has been very satisfactory.
This project is about designing and building bunkers with recycled materials. The design of these bunkers is based on revetted bunkers that we can find basically on courses in England. The construction method of this type of bunker is made by depositing a stacked layers of turf at different levels, creating a “ladder” along the entire side of the bunker. Therefore, a framework is built between the roots and the sand that keeps the bunker wall compact, giving it a perfect appearance, as well as facilitating the good condition of the bunkers.
In the case of the Ecobunker, the idea is the same, with the difference that the layers of turfs are artificial. Then, artificial turf is recycled from sports courts and used to create the artificial revetted bunker wall. By doing so, the particular wall is fixed, looks good and only needs minimal maintenance.
Our greenkeeper, José Gómez, with more than 35 years of experience, highly values the implementation of this type of bunkers.
“The implementation of the Ecobunkers can be an interesting project for the future to integrate it into our Sustainable Golf Course plan due to its multiple benefits.”
What’s more, our Sustainable Golf Course Plan is in its final phase, and it is looking very nice where all type of players will enjoy the modified design.
Most importantly, its maintenance is minimal, which reduces its cost as well as the hours invested in keeping it in perfect condition, according to our golf course expectations. By reducing maintenance hours, our staff can focus on other aspects of the course that requires time and dedication.
“This type of construction of the bunker walls significantly reduces the maintenance of these areas by reducing mowing, erosion and entry of clay soil that contaminates the sand, as well as reducing the application of sanitary phytos and the amount of irrigation . With this method you can invest your efforts and resources in doing other important tasks on the course. “
Another aspect to take into account is the impressive looks of this ecobunker. The views transport us to the best golf courses in England, where the large bunker slopes in perfect condition are a delight for any golf lover.
As always, the Real Club de Golf El Prat adapts to new times and to the latest technology to offer its players the best golf conditions near the city of Barcelona.
The Qualifying School of Alps Tour that took place in Italy and several of our members have gotten the card to play next year. Practicing playing golf at El Prat, near the city of Barcelona, is a luxury for golf professionals and golf lovers.
Of all of them, Eduard Rousaud played great golf. With rounds of 71, 73 and 71 strokes and a total of -1, Eduard was ranked 10th, only 6 strokes behind the winner, David Ravetto who is also an amateur, at the Golf Nazionale in Rome. In this way, the young player member of Real Club de Golf El Prat got the full Alps Tour card so he could play all the tournaments planned for 2021. Undoubtedly, a great feat to end this season that, although strange in many ways, has been successful for the Catalan player.
From Real Club de Golf El Prat we are very proud that our member has demonstrated a great value within the golf course and during this difficult competition, a result of the effort and long hours of training in our golf course facilities.
But he was not the only one who enjoyed the time in Italy. Three of our members also participated in this competition, and although they didn’t get the full card, they will get into most of the tournaments.
Victor García Broto with 74, 77 and 73 strokes and a total of +8 will be able to play approximately 80% of the tournaments of the Alps Tour 2021. Although he was not happy with his performance, he knows that by practicing at Real Club de Golf El Prat he will be able to achieve all his goals. We have no doubt! For the time being, he will continue in the amateur world and will combine it with his participation in this professional tour.
Tied with +12 were the amateur Agustí Quinquilla and the professional Juan Luis Sánchez, both members of our Club. They will also be able to play many tournaments of the mentioned tour, and we are sure that with their dedication and effort they will reach all their goals. Undoubtedly, we are waiting for them in El Prat with the best conditions so they can continue practicing. Being a professional , and they know it well, constancy and perseverance with a lot of patience is required and, of course, being able to practice in the best facilities to become the best player.
The Real Club de Golf El Prat will continue to support all its professionals and amateurs who compete at the highest levels. With the excellent facilities that we have and the great maintenance that our workers do, the players find a golf paradise next to the city of Barcelona. The practice area hold a large capacity of players, as well as its several approach and putting areas. The c hallenging 45 holes of golf designed by Greg Norman are the dream of any players . In addition, pros and club members can also get in shape at the club’s gym with Technogym’s latest technology in fitness equipment. Technique, quality and fun are guaranteed at the Real Club de Golf El Prat.
This fall we are experiencing the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, and as a result, tourists are again in a situation of uncertainty. For this reason, it is essential for cities like Barcelona to work on their safety protocols and to convey confidence to all their visitors. Thanks to initiatives like Safe Travels stamps of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Barcelona, Safe city Safe visit promoted by Barcelona City Council, we can make of our city a safe and prosperous place.
The “Safe Travels” stamp was developed and launched by the members of the WTTC, an organization that represents private sector tourism businesses, with help of other organisms like the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Prevention, governments, and other industry associations.
It is specifically designed to allow all travelers from around the world to recognize destinations and companies which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols. But it will not only be beneficial for our visitors but also for the economy, as it will help accelerate the recovery of the industry that has been most affected by the Covid-19.
Thanks to this initiative Barcelona will be able to restore the confidence and tranquility of our tourists, as well as their safety by being one of the first destinations having the “Safe Travels” stamp.
This project of Barcelona City Council aims to give the necessary help to the companies of different industries of the tourism sector to be able to apply correctly the safety and hygiene measures.
Marian Muro, Turisme de Barcelona Managing Director:
“It is necessary to adopt adequate security measures and protocols to make our visitors feel safe and thus to bolster the confidence. This will allow the travel and tourism industry to be perfectly aligned around a global guidelines”
This new initiative pretends to become a reference source for all visitors, and one that is stable and reliable, so that tourist feel safer in our city. If you are planning to travel to Barcelona, check it out so you can feel confident about the measures taken in the city.
Golf is one of the many activities that can be done in Barcelona, and Real Club de Golf El Prat is the best place to do it. Only 30 minutes from Barcelona and in the middle of nature you can enjoy the 45 holes designed by Greg Norman.
At the RCG El Prat we have also implemented security measures and regulatory protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19. You can see these measures in our post Golf in Barcelona, a safe sport.
But what it is certain, is that Golf is a very safe sport because is played outdoors and you can keep a safety distance all along. At Real Club de Golf El Prat, best golf course in Barcelona, we want to offer the best safe experience to all our players, and that is why we are very conscious that the safety rules have to be followed in order to enjoy our Club, Barcelona and protect all the society.
During these times where COVID-19 has been the protagonist of this 2020, we all have had to adapt to this new scene, and golf in Barcelona has been no exception. But the sport is still as necessary as before or even more, as it helps us physically and psychologically. And we, golf lovers, are very lucky to be able to play this sport.
We could say that golf is one of the safest sports to practice now a days. It is difficult to find a space where it is easy to maintain social distance than in a golf course, especially to those that live in a city like Barcelona. For that reason, golf has a certain advantage over other sports. Since it has non-contact activity, it is easy to respect personal space to avoid possible contagion.
Another characteristic of golf that makes it an accessible and safe sport after Covid-19, is that it is practiced outdoors. The probability of transmission decreases in these circumstances for being surrounded by nature and fresh air, something very precious in these times.
But obviously, the sport is not entirely safe without our cooperation. We all must do our bit:
On one hand, Real Club de Golf el Prat has implemented new measures to guarantee the security of all visitors and to adapt to these new times. With the elaboration of a security protocol based on the health authorities’ recommendations, it has been possible to make golf a safe sport.
On the other hand, golfers also have had to make an extra effort, like changing small habits. We know how hard it is to avoid small instinctive actions such as celebrating with a hug or a handshake, getting too close to someone to have a quick chat on the tee, touching someone else’s equipment… But avoiding these actions is a very small price to pay in order to enjoy our sport again.
There are certain things and behaviours that have changed while playing golf, so it’s understandable that some questions arise about the right way to act around a golf course.
How do I get the ball out of the hole? Can I touch the flag?
At no time may the flag be touched with the hands. A mechanism has been enabled to take the ball out of the hole with the help of a stick, thus avoiding touching the flag.
If there are no rakes in the bunkers, how is the sand in the bunkers smoothed out?
If the ball falls into a bunker, we will no longer have the rakes. To smooth the area in which we have played, we will have to do it with our foot or with our golf club to try to leave it as good as possible for other players.
We can see more clearly the answers to these questions in this video about the Club’s protocol.
We are in Barcelona, it is a sunny day, so we decided to go and play golf at Real Club de Golf El Prat.
We stopped at the entrance to get the temperature check and it is all good so we park the car and we head to the reception … With the mask on, of course.
At the reception we will ask for a tee time on the Pink or Yellow course, if it has not been previously booked through our website, and in both occasions we will pay the greenfee as well as any other service that is needed such as an electric trolley or a buggy. In our case, we have asked for a buggy to play the Pink course, the most demanding course designed by Greg Norman and host of the Spanish Open in 10 occasions.
Before starting the round, let’s go to the driving range and hit a few balls. However, we must always respect the social distance and wear our masks except when practicing and playing golf. Since we still have some time, we decide to spend some time in the approach and putting green area.
It’s almost our tee time, so let’s get the buggy and head to the first tee. Here we can take off the mask, but always keeping the safety distance: 2 meters as the rules indicate, even when being on the green. We start by making a par… not bad for the first hole! In the flagstick we find mechanisms to lift the hole and get our golf ball without the need of touching the flag. It is important to remember to never touch the flag with your hands to avoid possible infections.
On the next hole we are not so lucky and our ball falls into a bunker. We only need one shot to get it out of there, but when we do, we realize that there is no rake. That’s because we have to smooth the sand with our golf club or our feet. We fix the bunker and we are ready to continue playing!
After enjoying 18 magnificent holes at Real Club de Golf el Prat and only 30 minutes away from Barcelona, it is time to put our mask back on and take our buggy in to the disinfection area. If we had taken an electric trolley, we would have taken it to the corresponding disinfection area, also at the reception exit. Without a doubt, there is nothing better than enjoying a sunny golf morning in a place like Real Club de Golf El Prat.
Golf is the best sport to practice outdoors, especially during a pandemic, because there is less risk of contagion. This can be a good time to start learning how to play golf and we are sure that you will end up loving it. And for those who are already golf lovers, don’t forget to come to the best golf course in Barcelona and enjoy this exciting and safe sport.
Golf professionals from Barcelona and from all over choose the Real Club de Golf El Prat as their best training course because for all the great facilities. In addition, professionals from other parts of Europe and even from around the world come to the best golf course in Barcelona, to test their technique on two courses designed by Greg Norman.
With 280 hectares, the Real Club de Golf El Prat is one of the largest clubs in Spain. The Club has 45 holes, a driving range with double tee; two putting greens , as well as two fantastic approach areas with practice bunkers.
Lucas Vacarisas grants us an interview after winning two tournaments: the Alps Tour of Andalucía and the Spanish Professional Championship 2020. In 2016 and with only 18 years old, he became a professional golfer and this 2020 is being, without a doubt, a great golf year. What’s more, with his first professional victory in the Alps Tour and his good results during the season, Lucas is currently in 2nd position in the Alps Tour ranking with clear options to win the Challenge Tour card.
Winning a tournament at a professional level cannot be done by anyone. On the contrary, it’s an accumulation of circumstances, training, hours, trips, mental work… and Lucas has gathered everything to enter the winners list. We ask him about the victory, and he is straight-forward about his feelings.
“After so many years it has been a boost of confidence. Winning is hard and it has been a relief for me. More than anything it is very rewarding.”
According to Lucas, training at Real Club de Golf El Prat has benefited him greatly because of the magnificent short and long game facilities. In addition, not only do Greg Norman’s 36 holes help him to have his game at a high level, but the Pitch & Putt course make it easier for him to train his precision, something he likes very much.
Another reason why professionals choose our Club is precisely the fact that there are so many professionals.
” It is a luxury to be able to train with colleagues since motivation and competition are the order of the day.”
Lucas has also valued it very much after the lock down as they organized a pool every Thursday that served them to practice in a competition level and, although it is not the same as being in a tournament, it can be very much like it.
Every golf player wonders what to do in order to win a tournament in a sport as demanding as golf. Lucas has it clear,
“I have changed my behaviour off the course and I am now much calmer and more orderly in my day-to-day life. Also on the course I have changed the way I train, paying more attention, because you have to take advantage of every second you are here on the golf course and in the end, it is what makes the difference when you are in the tournament.”
This season Lucas has got very good results and this has had an impact on the ranking of the Alps Tour and therefore on his future. This week he plays the final of the Alps Tour and is in second position and one step away from getting the Challenge card. It can be a psychologically difficult situation, as that tournament would make a difference in his future. But Lucas, characterized by his calm personality, tells us that he is certain that it depends on himself and his goal is to play shot by shot, with a winning desire. He knows next year he wants to play in the Challenge Tour.
A final round worthy of the best professionals was the one experienced by Lucas Vacarisas at the Logroño Golf Course. With one hole left and losing by one stroke, Lucas knew that he had to make a birdie to have a chance of winning. He believes that the 18th hole was an affordable hole to make a good result, besides he had just given three good tee shots and he was confident about his game. With a favourable wind, he decided to play that par 5 with the same strategy he had previously planned. With a good start, he left himself the opportunity to hit the green with his second shot, and he did so, leaving himself a four-foot putt for Eagle. Although we made a reference of his calm personality, it is worth mentioning his temperance in order to make an Eagle putt and take over the tournament.
Our member is very focused on training the short game and under 100 meters, strokes that he considers must improve in order to compete at the highest level and he can train perfectly in our Club, the best golf course in Barcelona.
Although he does not consider himself superstitious, he does confess that he carries two of his nephew’s stones in his golf bag. But he is more of a thinker, and when we ask him about his future, it is clear to him that golf is difficult and uncertain, that the only thing he can do is to train hard, and the results will tell how far he can go.
Lucas Vacarisas tells us his game strategy to play his favourite hole, the 16th of the Yellow Course. With a good tee shot to the centre-right part of the fairway, it leaves an opportunity to hit the green in two. Then, with 225 meters to the flag, Lucas chooses a wood with the intention of playing a high ball and be able to stop it on the green. Although this time he has not reached the green, the chip he has is easy and he plays it perfectly to leave him a 1.5 meter putt for birdie. Finally, he makes the birdie, but he points out that the hole is not easy, that the important thing is to make a good tee shot to give you the chance of signing a good result.
His teammates describe him as a great player and a better person. Two qualities that we are sure will help him go far in this profession. The Real Club de Golf El Prat wishes you many successes in your professional career.
Considered one of the best Golf courses in Europe, the Real Club de Golf El Prat has recently been ranked as the Best Golf Resort in Barcelona and top 20 Best Golf Resorts in Europe by Golf World Ranking.
The union between Real Club de Golf El Prat and La Mola Resort & Spa hotel has resulted in the best Golf Resort in Barcelona, offering golf and accommodation just 30 minutes away from the city centre, making it an excellent option for the most demanding players.
La Mola Resort & Spa has 185 rooms, 3 bars and a restaurant and offers a wide variety of services for relaxation and well-being, including a spa, outdoor pool, sauna and gym. The Hotel, located a few minutes from the Club House, offers complimentary buggy shuttle service to all its golfing clients.
Marcello Della Vecchia, Sales and Marketing Director of the Real Club de Golf El Prat, evaluates this recognition very positively. “This recognition is the result of the great effort that the team makes daily. We are very happy to be in this ranking and it encourages us to be optimistic for the future. In recent months, we have been working on protocols for our visitors to play safely, and the response has been very positive so far. We hope people can travel without restrictions very soon and they can visit us and enjoy our facilities.”
Considered one of the most historic and prestigious courses in Europe, Real Golf El Prat has organized more than 250 top-level international and national tournaments. For 10 editions, Real Club de Golf El Prat hosted the Spanish Open of the European Tour with the participation of great golf professionals such as Sergio García, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Francesco Molinari.
The Real Club de Golf El Prat has always been on the map of golf courses in Europe and Golf World has ranked our course, together with La Mola Resort & SPA, Top 20 best Golf Resorts in Europe 2020. Therefore, the Club continues to be a benchmark both in golf quality and in comfort.
Golf courses in Barcelona, such as Real Club de Golf el Prat, allow players to enjoy the endless activities that the city has to offer. Just 30 minutes away from Barcelona, players can organize their free time and take the opportunity to get to know the Catalan capital.
Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that offers lots of history and art to its visitors who can also enjoy the beaches, practically all year round due to its Mediterranean climate. Because its location, Barcelona also enjoys the Tibidabo Mountain in the Collserola natural park. The panoramic view of Barcelona during a hike will be quite an experience.
The city of Barcelona is a great destination for golf players thanks to its airport, Barcelona-El Prat Airport, as it has direct access from practically everywhere on the planet. With national and international flights, players can visit our Club at any time and book a tee time that suits them best to play our two 18-hole courses.
With 280 hectares, the Real Club de Golf El Prat is one of the largest clubs in Spain. The Club boasts 45 holes, a double-ended driving range, two putting greens, as well as two approach areas including practice bunkers. The Clubhouse, modern in style but without losing its essence, has two restaurants and bars for players to enjoy local specialities.
Apart from being a Members Club, Barcelona’s finest golf course also welcomes thousands of annual visitors who want to play Greg Norman’s courses. The Pink Course is designed for the most demanding players since the first 9 holes are narrow and highly technical, and a demanding second round in which recoveries will be key to achieving a good result. The Yellow course has been positively modified in 2020 to offer 18 high-level holes for any level of player.
Undoubtedly, a comfortable and high-quality golf holiday in Barcelona is now possible with the union of Real Club de Golf El Prat and La Moral Resort & Spa. Through our website, our players will be able to organize their golf getaway with the advice of the Club’s staff.