The European Challenge Tour returns to Spain this week for the Empordà Challenge in Girona held at Empordà Golf, and here is everything you need to know for the week ahead.
Scenic surroundings
Situated in the heart of Costa Brava in the municipality of Girona, it goes without saying that Empordà Golf has breathtaking surroundings. The Montgrí castle overlooks the landscape and can always be seen from the two courses at Empordà Golf, the castle view complimenting an abundance of dunes, lakes and bunkers through the Empordà Forest, which will provide a true test for the players this week.
Architecturally renowned
Acclaimed American architect Robert von Hagge designed the Links Course and Forest Course and this was his first design project in Spain. Von Hagge was a golf course architect for six decades and has helped create some of the world’s most unique golf courses; creating and designing more than 250 layouts in the United States and 18 other countries. Having been established in 1989, Empordà Golf has undergone a major upgrade in 2020 and is in prime condition to host the Spanish Swing.
The Spanish Armada
Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, currently ranked fourth in the Road to Mallorca, will be playing on home soil this week after emerging victorious at the B-NL Challenge Trophy in the Netherlands in August. Garcia-Heredia will be joined by a plethora of fellow in-form Spaniards including Alejandro Del Rey, who made history at the Swiss Challenge after carding a 14 under par round of 58 – the lowest-ever score to par on a major golf tour. Also joining Garcia-Heredia and Del Rey will be Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG winner Angel Hidago, who will be looking to replicate the success he had in Germany as he currently sits in 20th place on the Road to Mallorca.
