INFINITUM was the stage for another thrilling Qualifying School Final Stage last week as the DP World Tour’s last-chance saloon returned to the award-winning Catalonia resort.
Qualifying School veteran Simon Forsström won a narrow victory with a commendable display of consistency, leading 28 names – with six players locked in a dramatic tie for 23rd place – to earn a coveted DP World Tour card for the 2023 season.
The qualifying finale had the air of a homecoming at INFINITUM, which initially hosted the event for three consecutive years from 2017-2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic spelt postponement. Earlier this year, INFINITUM proved its capabilities to host a major DP World Tour event when it welcomed the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain, won in thrilling fashion by local hero Pablo Larrazabal after his final round 62 saw him lift the title by one stroke ahead of fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui.
With the Q School showdown returning to Spain’s Costa Dorada once again, six rounds and 108 holes were contested over INFINITUM’s magnificent Hills and Lakes courses, delivering the most intense pressure to determine the destiny of the 156 players in the field.
Yorkshire golfer Dan Brown secured third place as England’s outstanding representative and only trailed Forsström by three strokes. In a breathless contest, a single point separated Brown’s compatriots Sam Hutsby and David Horsey, while fellow qualifying Englishmen Garrick Porteous and Andrew Wilson squeezed past the cut-off point to book their place in European golf’s promised land next year.
At a time of uncertainty in the game, the importance of Qualifying School was evident at INFINITUM. The event, never lacking in excitement, has been a proven breeding ground for some of golf’s biggest talents; names such as Retief Goosen and Sandy Lyle shot to stardom from the Q School platform and the likes of Forsström and Brown will be hoping they could be next.
Both of INFINITUM’s spectacular 18-hole championship courses set the scene for the action, with the Greg Norman-designed Lakes course winding through natural water hazards that give the layout a tantalising extra dimension for even the sharpest of players. Meanwhile, competitors taking on a different challenge on the Hills course could not afford to be distracted by the panoramic sea vistas that usually enhance the experience. Together, the two unique challenges provided a comprehensive test of every facet of a golfer’s game, building to the moment when Forsström was crowned the best in the field.
Built for blockbuster golf, the Lakes and Hills courses are complemented by one of the world’s finest nine-hole layouts, the Ruins, which guides golfers through historic archaeological remains with a series of invigorating holes.
Agustin Garcia Pascual, chief business officer at INFINITUM, said: “It was brilliant to see the DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage back on the Hills and Lakes courses after a few years away due to the pandemic.
“Our courses are ideal for big tournaments because of the potential for excitement on every hole, and just looking at the closeness of the table is testament to the quality of the golfers on display.”
One of Europe’s most popular golf and lifestyle resorts, INFINITUM is the go-to destination on the beautiful Costa Dorada, near the iconic cities of Barcelona and Tarragona. Alongside a trio of distinctive golf courses, the acclaimed INFINITUM Beach Club is a sensory paradise with stunning food, drink and views out to sea.
INFINITUM is also famed for its gastronomy, headlined by the Flamma Beach Foodhouse, where guests can taste the best of Mediterranean cuisine sourced locally. With a range of select homes for prospective buyers to choose from, INFINITUM is more than just a holiday destination, featuring BREEAM-certified properties to meet the needs of any residents.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Located 100km south of Barcelona in Costa Dorada, Infinitum is Europe’s newest lifestyle and real-estate resort presenting championship golf facilities, modern gastronomy, a contemporary beach club with unrivalled facilities and bespoke cultural activities.
Showcasing its natural beauty, Infinitum is a premium lifestyle and real-estate resort which poses a calm and tranquil environment, one that makes a fundamental impact on its guests’ well-being through its dedication to customer service.
A stunning selection of BREEAM-certified, high-quality homes sit within walking distance of everything you need to live in luxury on Catalonia’s beautiful coast. These properties come in a wide range of sizes and styles so, no matter what you are looking for, the perfect home is waiting.
Infinitum is unlike any other golf resort in Europe, an experience to be remembered and a lifestyle to aspire to. Infinitum Golf showcases three outstanding golf courses, each with their own distinct design and layout. Named ‘Europe’s Best Golf Venue’ in 2019, 2020 and 2021, its award-winning facilities have played host to the DP World Tour’s (formerly European Tour) Qualifying School Final Stage, showcasing unquestionable conditions, with rolling fairways and undulating greens, complemented by spectacular ocean views of the Mediterranean.
The golf courses are complemented by two state-of-the-art clubhouses, designed geographically to illustrate the region’s breath-taking views, in addition to modern practice facilities, a fully equipped Pro Shop and a bespoke fitness centre. The resort also features one of the finest beach clubs in Spain, comprising of eight swimming pools, each with their own charm and personality, a beach bar and one of the region’s finest restaurants, Flamma. Set amongst a pine forest and above Playa Larga, the Beach Club presents a unique experience with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, offering a tranquil and peaceful environment to unwind in. Four new exclusive dining options; Flamma, Gusto, The Lakehouse, and Terra; have been launched, boasting Tarragona’s best gastronomy, with top-of-the-range service, showcasing the finest local produce, expertly developed for a sophisticated palette.
Committed to both inclusivity and sustainability, Infinitum has led the way as the first golf resort in Spain to sign up to The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, while also receiving its GEO Certification for the second time in 2021. Though the resort’s ‘eco-first’ strategy is present throughout, the Lakes golf course is particularly recognised for its conservation work as a certified Golf Audubon International Signature Sanctuary.