Plaudits for Q–School Stadium Course and set up

PGA Catalunya Resort, near Barcelona, Spain, proved the perfect platform for European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. As a player, you don’t want to be there, but it has still impressed them.

It was the ninth consecutive year that PGA Catalunya has staged the event, with eventual winner, Englishman Nathan Kimsey, leading the plaudits from competitors.

Finishing one shot ahead of the pack at 13-under-par, in part thanks to a fourth-round 61 on the Resort’s Tour Course, the 23-year-old commented: "Both courses are great, but the Stadium layout has to be one of the toughest I've ever played. 

"There’s just no let-up, no shots where you can work with 80% of your brain. You have to be 100% focused all the way round. It's well set up, especially demanding off the tee, and in perfect condition."

During the week competitors were also able to take advantage of the new luxury on-site accommodation in the form of the 5* Hotel Camiral, a stellar addition to the world-class facilities already on offer at the European Tour Destination, which include Spain's number one golf course, Europe's largest chipping and putting green, the Sergio Garcia Junior Golf Academy and the Dave Pelz Spanish Golf School.

Finishing tied second, Scotland's Scott Henry added: "No one wants to be at Q-School but the venue, the course quality and the perfect weather made it possible to enjoy the experience. The whole facility is world-class."

Henry was one of 156 golfers vying to make the top 25 and ties to win playing privileges for the 2017 Race to Dubai.  By the end of the week 30 players had made it through, among them, England's Eddie Pepperell. 

"You just can't fault this venue for this event," he said. “It's so challenging, and over six days the best players end up getting their cards. I'm delighted to finish tied 5th, and the beautiful new hotel and great practice facilities really enhanced my stay."

Also successful was four-time European Tour winner, Ricardo Gonzáles, who shot a stunning final-round 64 to become the oldest ever Q-School graduate at 47. 

"For me the Stadium Course is the best in Europe," said the Argentinian. "The way the greens set up from the fairways is superb, and the greens themselves are fantastic. The new hotel, range and short game area just boost the whole experience."

We are big fans of Q-School, but feel that the whole drama of the event has not been translated into the compelling TV experience that it could be.  There have been some seriously big names fighting it out in the past week, and some incredibly compelling narratives, but these have gone largely ignored, which is both a shame and a missed opportunity.

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