Excitement is starting to grow at INFINITUM as the final plans are put in place at the stunning Catalonia resort ahead of the return of the DP World Tour’s Qualifying School Final Stage next week following a three-year absence.
The finale of the three-stage competition will take place at the acclaimed Spanish venue from November 11-16, when 156 players will compete over six rounds in a bid to fulfil their DP World Tour dreams.
Final Stage qualifying is the last opportunity for hopefuls to win their DP World Tour playing rights for the 2023 season, and this year’s event will be played over the two 18-hole championship courses at INFINITUM, the Hills and Lakes, the latter of which hosted the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain earlier this season.
The 90-hole qualifying marathon, which offers the top 25 players a place on Europe’s top tier the following season, has provided the platform for some of golf's most famous names to go on to worldwide success, with Major champions José María Olazábal, Retief Goosen and Sandy Lyle among the list of previous winners since it was first held in 1976.
Final Stage qualifying was first played at INFINITUM in 2017, with England’s Sam Horsfield claiming victory to regain his Tour card along with 32 other players.
A year later, Spain's Alejandro Cañizares and Zander Lombard, from South Africa, headed a list of 27 players who won their playing rights. Denmark's Benjamin Poke topped the leaderboard in 2019 – with another 27 joining him in qualification - before the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the event.
Set to the west of the beautiful city of Tarragona on the Costa Dorada, INFINITUM is regarded as one of Europe's most popular golf and lifestyle facilities in an area of natural beauty, and the 156-strong line-up will face two very different golfing tests next month.
The venue's Lakes course was designed by Greg Norman and runs around the wetlands of the Sequia Major. As its name would suggest, water is the layout’s chief defence, testing players and their positional play on no fewer than 14 holes, while players will find the course in outstanding condition following extensive maintenance work this summer to upgrade the fairways from Rye grass to the more sustainable Bermuda Tifway grass.
The neighbouring Hills course poses an altogether different test; several elevated tees and tight landing areas are surrounded by mature, natural pine trees with greens enveloped by towering cliffs. Panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea add to the course's charms - and it has quickly built a reputation for being one of Spain’s finest layouts.
Agustin Garcia Pascual, chief business officer at INFINITUM, said: “The Qualifying School Final Stage is one of the biggest tournaments of the year and the eyes of the golfing world will be on us next week.
“It's a great honour to host such an important event again, which signals the start of a new three-year partnership for INFINITUM with the DP World Tour. With the work that has been carried out over the summer, I’m confident that the players will find the courses in better condition than ever and we’re looking forward to another fantastic week of golf.”
ENDS
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.