With putter in a single hand and a glass of pink within the different, my father mentioned: ‘I might like to play there.’
That was two years in the past as he and I watched Miguel Angel Jimenez win the Spanish Open on the PGA Catalunya Resort, close to Barcelona. Now, right here we’re, about to tee off on this well-known course and, what’s extra, it’s Dad’s seventieth birthday.
We have now all the time liked taking part in sport collectively — it’s the one time we’ve to catch up.
Within the swing: Chris and John on the Stadium Course on the PGA Catalunya Resort
And due to the European Tour Journey Membership, now you can see the likes of Justin Rose win on the tv, then play on the identical tees and the identical greens the next day.
The PGA Catalunya Resort is an hour north of Barcelona and the well-known Nou Camp.
It seems that my father performed there just a few occasions throughout his years as a midfielder for Chelsea and full-back for Arsenal.
Nevertheless it’s humorous how a person who has battled on the soccer pitches of Europe abruptly goes quiet when he arrives at a golf resort.
There are two 18-hole programs right here: the championship Stadium Course, which is ranked primary in Spain, and the Tour Course, which is barely shorter.
‘Let’s verify in,’ my father says with a nervous squeak in his voice.
On most golf journeys, the lodge by no means matches the course. Maybe that’s as a result of most golfers simply need good sport and a snug mattress.
However the brand new five-star Lodge Camiral, which has been revamped at a value of £28.5million and solely opened in June, has rather more to supply.
There are two 18-hole programs on the PGA Catalunya Resort: the Championship Stadium Course, which is ranked primary in Spain, and the Tour Course (above, the thirteenth gap)
It’s luxurious, stylish, but additionally has an actual household environment.
We play our first spherical on the Tour Course, an ideal warm-up for the massive one. I pip my dad.
‘I’ve travelled all this technique to play like a plonker,’ he says by means of evaluation. We’re each a bit dispirited by our performances and practically go straight again to our rooms.
However because the solar units, he suggests a fast drink by the pool and we remind ourselves we’re not skilled golfers and by no means might be.
And what a spot to tear up the scorecards. A heat, mild breeze sweeps throughout from the mountains as our our bodies and, most significantly, our heads settle down. We may keep all night.
Wonderful eating; a slice of historical past: The 1477 restaurant on the PGA Catalunya Resort is so-called as a result of that was supposedly the 12 months through which the primary Catalan cookbook was written
Then it’s supper time. The Costa Brava has among the greatest eating places on the earth. In truth, 13 have Michelin stars and they’re all inside an hour’s drive from right here.
So the lodge’s 1477 restaurant needs to be good to compete. It’s referred to as 1477 as a result of that’s the 12 months the primary Catalan cookbook was written.
We go to city on the suckling pig and wild sea bass, and don’t maintain again on the native rose. That is adopted by Catalan cream and a dessert wine. This isn’t the way in which McIlroy or Stenson would put together for the ups and downs of the Stadium Course.
Subsequent morning, we’ve an early tee time. Once you’ve needed to play a course for thus lengthy, you ponder whether it is going to dwell as much as expectations. It does.
Sportsman: Chris Hollins was born right into a footballing household in Bromley, South London. In 2009 he made use of his fancy footwork, profitable the sequence of Strictly Come Dancing
Robust, sure, however way more lovely than I had imagined.
The course cuts by way of a pine forest and there are spectacular views of the Pyrenees. There are lakes, too.
My favorite gap needs to be the thirteenth, its elevated tee permitting you the right view of mountains, woodland and lakes.
I hit an excellent tee shot and acknowledged the massive spherical of applause from the imaginary crowd. Then I put my strategy shot within the water.
Remaining outcome? The match is halved on the final following a beneficiant concession on my half.
The smile on my dad’s face as I hand him his ball tells me this has been an exciting expertise.
The one factor lacking is a Miguel Angel cigar to have a good time.
