THE Lumine golf resort which will host the final stage of next month’s European Tour Qualifying School has upgraded the Hills Course before the 156 players battling for their 2020 playing rights arrive in Tarragona.
Lumine Mediterránea Beach & Golf Community, which has two championship courses, has also refitted the Lakes Course clubhouse as part of an ongoing €2million redevelopment programme.
A major fairway drainage project on the Hills Course has been central to ensuring a high quality of fairway turf throughout the year on the Costa Daurada course.
As a result, the rough lining the fairways has also become much more defined, giving even the best golfers an additional challenge if they miss the short grass.
Adjoining areas of play have been improved and are also much better defined now thanks to the addition of nearly 20,000 plants and shrubs that line and shape the walkways.
The improvements not only improve the overall look and feel of the course, but are ready to claim any errant shot that goes their way, says the course’s general manager Calle Carlsson.
All the buggy paths have also been upgraded with new kerbs and improved routing, to better protect the fairway and rough.
On the Lakes Course, the clubhouse is now an even more focal point for guests visiting Lumine as the result of a major refit.
The design aims to offer a lighter, more open plan environment that maximises the view over the daunting par five 18th hole and the water hazard surrounding the green.
The reception area has also been modernised, with new sign in technology that will make check-in much more efficient, while the pro shop has received a complete refresh, aimed at creating a premium boutique feel with improved display areas.
Calle Carlsson said: “It has been quite an undertaking, but we are delighted with the results so far, with many more changes to come in the months ahead.
“Not only have the changes enhanced the playability of the Hills Course, the premium feel we have created in the Lakes Course clubhouse enhances our reputation as a premier golf destination.
“We look forward to welcoming the next generation of potential European Tour players in November and, beyond that, the many thousands of golfers that visit every year to play.”
The upgrades have been completed ahead of the European Tour Final Qualifying Stage, which takes place over six rounds from November 15-20.
Those teeing it up in November will not only face a sterner test across all 108 holes on both courses, they will also be able to take advantage of the improved facilities when recuperating after their round.
European Tour Qualifying Final Stage tournament director Mike Stewart said: “This is the eighth year we have visited Lumine as part of Qualifying School – and the third time it wll host Final Stage.
“Every time we come back the team has made improvements and their commitment to presenting both courses in top condition for the event is very impressive.
“We always get great feedback from the players and look forward to working with the team to deliver another fantastic event next month.”
•To book your stay at one of Spain’s premier golf and leisure destinations, and for information about the packages on offer click here.
Amateur Champions shone in Spain
AMONG those who came through European Tour Qualifying School in 2018 were two former Amateur Champions.
Hampshire’s Scott Gregory and France’s Romain Langasque earned a full Tour card along with America’s Kurt Kitayama, who went on to win twice in his first 11 appearances on the European Tour between December and March.
Ironically the two players had met in the final of the 2016 Spanish Amateur Championship at Royal Valencia Golf Club.
Langasque, who had won the Amateur Championship in 2015 at Carnoustie, went on to win a one-sided final, but it spurred on the Corhampton golfer, who was crowned Langasque’s successor just three months later at Royal Porthcawl – beating Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre.
The pair were Walker Cup team-mates a year later in Los Angeles are now and both playing on the European Tour after MacIntyre qualifed via the European Challenge Tour in 2018.
Last year’s ETQS winner in north-east Spain was Spaniard Alejandro Canizares while Florida-based Englishman Sam Horsfield was the first winner of the final stage held at Lumine, back in 2017.
Lincolnshire’s Nathan Kimsey was the surprise winner three years ago, the last time ETQS was held at PGA de Catalunya – the ninth year in row the final stage was held at the Girona venue.
Essex’s Richard McEvoy and Simon Khan were the winners in 2003 and 2009 respectively.
Three Englishmen in a row claimed the title after Khan – Northumberland’s Simon Wakefield, Somerset’s David Dixon and John Parry from Yorkshire, in 2012.
After eight venues across Europe hosted the first stage in September and October, players will be heading to Spain in the first week of November fighting for about half of the 156 places availble at Lumine.
The four venues are Alenda Golf and Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, in Alicante, Desert Springs, in Almeria, and Bonmont Golf Club in Tarragona.
All four tournaments will take place from November 7-10, with the first round of stage three commencing at Lumine, just five days after the final round at stage two
For more information about stage two of the European Tour Qualifying School click here
