Golf El Prat

Terrassa, Costa Brava

45 holes

Plans de Bonvilar 17, Terrassa 08227, Barcelona, Spain.

 

 

El Prat Golf Course

Based in Terrassa, Costa Brava

 

Real Club de Golf El Prat - Barcelona is regarded as one of the finest golf clubs in Spain, having hosted more than 250 top-level national and international championships, including the Spanish Open on 10 occasions.

The origins; Real Club de Golf El Prat’s origins date back to 1912, the year when the Count of Churruca founded Barcelona Golf Club, which subsequently became known as Pedralbes Golf Club. Years later, King Alonso XIII visited and granted the club its ‘Real’ (Royal) distinction.

It was the first golf club in Barcelona, but as the city grew and expanded, it was forced to move to a new location in 1954, between El Prat de Llobregat and the sea, near Barcelona airport – and was renamed Real Club de Golf El Prat. In 1997, expansion of Barcelona airport required it to change its location once again, to the Bonvilar country estate, a 220-hectare plot situated in the green corridor that links the 13,000-hectare Sant Llorenç del munt i l'Obac and Collserola Nature Parks. The new and current site, is situated 26 kilometres from Barcelona, between Terrassa and Sabadell. In this idyllic setting, Greg Norman designed 45 holes with the visionary idea of creating a fusion of playability and aesthetic beauty, by adapting the Course to suit all playing levels and styles and seamlessly integrating all seven layouts into the natural surroundings.

 

The Club boasts 45 holes played over an exciting mix of three highly acclaimed Course configurations – Pink, Yellow and Green. 

The Pink Course comprises the ‘Bosque’ and ‘Arriba’ nine-hole layouts. This is one of the most enjoyable layouts – and Course designer Greg Norman’s favourite. It starts with a narrow and very technical first nine holes and a demanding second nine where recovery shots play a key role in ensuring a good score. The long Par 3 6th and the always-fearsome 17th are the most outstanding holes on this Course. The daunting Par 3 6th leaves few players unscathed. The high, volcano-shaped green bounces any shot that is not spot-on to the surrounding waste bunker. This hole, one of the Course’s most memorable, will leave lasting memories. The 17th is a tough uphill Par 4 where the tee shot is once again key to posting a good score. The bunker on the right of the drive’s descent is one of the most frequented areas of the Course as players are forced to avoid the hazard running along the entire left side of the hole. The semi-blind green approach requires a high, well-directed flight to avoid the bunkers at the front and rear of the green, leaving a long putt on its fast surface. Perhaps one of the course’s most complicated holes is the 8th, which is again surrounded by trees on both sides. It takes a long, well-centred tee shot to minimise the distance of the approach shot to a small green well defended by three bunkers and the surrounding pines.

The Yellow Course is composed of the ‘Piscina’ and ‘Abajo’ nine-hole layouts. The front nine is easier than the second, so you need to use that to your advantage before facing the nine longer and more demanding closing holes. It is an open Course and therefore requires you to control the effect of the wind that can cause plenty of problems on blustery days. The eighth, 16th and 18th holes will have a big to say on how you score. The 498-metre Par 5 stroke 16th calls for some careful thought and avoiding the bunker on the left side with your tee shot is a must. The second shot ideally needs to leave you 50-60 yards from the green to attack it from above. Even from here there is plenty of trouble with bunkers front and back and a green that slopes menacingly back to front. The 18th is a fantastic 426-metre Par 4 finishing hole and one of the hardest on the Course. This long, uphill hole demands a strong drive that should hug the right side of the fairway, leaving a long iron approach to a long green that is guarded by a bunker on the right and a hollow to the left.

The Green Course is composed of holes one to five of ‘Abajo’, the nine of Vallés Golf plus six to nine of ‘Abajo’. The club’s only Par-71, it includes nine longer and more challenging holes and another nine that are easier and more strategic. The Green Course stands out for its short Par 3’s and very diverse Par 4’s, where all the clubs in the bag will come into play. It is important to make a good start, so you have a margin for error when facing the 16th and 18th. The first of the Par 3’s is Abajo’s magnificent 188-metre third hole that gently slopes downhill. It requires a long iron in order to reach the huge green that is protected by bunkers to the left of a cluster of trees. But there is still plenty to do on this incredibly tricky green, so make sure your putt goes very close to the pin to avoid posting a card-busting score.

 

The El Prat Golf Course opened in 1912 and was designed by Greg Norman.

 

Pink Course; 18 holes, Par 72

Black; 6465 m, Slope 144

White; 6215 m, Slope 142

Yellow; 5941 m, Slope 137

Orange; 5588 m, Slope 131

Blue; 5315 m, Slope 135

Red; 5035 m, Slope 132

Pink; 4715 m, Slope 128

The total length is 6465 m

 

Yellow Course; 18 holes, Par 72

Black; 6673 m, Slope 142

White; 6344 m, Slope 135

Yellow; 6012 m, Slope 131

Orange; 5723 m, Slope 130

Blue; 5453 m, Slope 132

Red; 5131 m, Slope 128

Pink; 4862 m, Slope 123

The total length is 6673 m

 

Green Course; 18 holes, Par 71

Black; 6210 m, Slope 132

White; 5947 m, Slope 131

Yellow; 5656 m, Slope 128

Orange; 5368 m, Slope 125

Blue; 5068 m, Slope 124

Red; 4733 m, Slope 120

Pink; 4520 m, Slope 117

The total length is 6210 m

 

Handicap; Men; 28 Ladies; 36

 

Facilities; Restaurant, bar, pro shop, 50 post driving range, approach area with bunkers, 2 putting greens, 3 short practice holes, golf academy, rental clubs, trolleys and buggies.

 

Real Club de Golf El Prat address; Plans de Bonvilar 17, Terrassa 08227, Barcelona, Spain.

Real Club de Golf El Prat GPS; LAT; 41º 34’ 12" N.  LONG: 2º 3’ 37" W.