Camiral: The Course Booked for Golf’s Next Ryder Cup

Catalonia’s two championship layouts, six years before the crowds arrive.

Camiral, in the Girona countryside an hour north of Barcelona, has just been named host of the 2031 Ryder Cup. It is only the second Spanish venue in the competition’s history, following Valderrama in 1997, and the decision changes what a round here means. The two championship courses have always been serious golf. Now they come with a deadline attached.

Golfer checking in a golf travel bag at airport departures before a golf holiday

A Second Ryder Cup for Spain

Ryder Cup Europe’s selection of Camiral makes Spain the first country on the continent to host the event twice, a decision framed by chief executive Guy Kinnings as recognition of Spanish golf’s long-standing contribution to the competition. Sergio García remains the Ryder Cup’s all-time points leader, and Jon Rahm has been one of Europe’s defining players across the last three editions. Camiral now carries that history forward. (ESPN)

Stadium and Tour — Two Different Tests

Camiral operates two courses, and they reward different games. The Camiral Stadium is the tougher of the pair, having hosted a DP World Tour event three times, most recently in 2022, and the European Tour’s Qualifying School Final Stage on seven occasions since 2008.

Camiral Stadium course fairway with the Girona countryside behind, Costa Brava
Next door, the Camiral Tour was built to the same standard but wider, with larger greens that give a broader range of handicaps a fair shot at scoring well. Both share ground that was originally earmarked for a Grand Prix circuit before Formula 1 relocated to Montmeló — golf got the better draw. Between now and 2031, the resort will also host the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship each year from 2028 to 2030, so the countdown is already on the calendar. (ESPN)

Camiral Tour course, the kinder option

Girona and the Costa Brava Table

The resort itself, now trading as Camiral after years as PGA Catalunya, sits a five-minute transfer from Girona airport. Girona itself is worth the detour on a rest day — a walled old town of stone stairways and a cathedral that climbs straight up from the Onyar river, with a market culture built on Catalan cooking rather than tourist menus. Barcelona is an hour away if the trip stretches to a long weekend either side of the golf. (The Independent)

Historic Old tow Girona

Play It Before 2031

Ryder Cup venues rarely get quieter as the event approaches. Valderrama’s profile only grew after 1997, and Camiral will follow the same curve — more attention, fuller tee sheets, and eventually a course that plays host to the loudest week in golf. Six years is not a long runway. The Stadium and Tour courses are booking-ready now, at a stage where a serious golfer can play the same fairways the world’s best will contest without the surrounding circus.

Camiral joins a shortlist of courses that will only get harder to book quietly. Browse Costa Brava golf holidays and get there ahead of 2031.

Fontanals Golf Club Gears Up to Host the Challenge de España 2025

Fontanals Golf Club, located in the heart of La Cerdanya, Girona, is ready to host the 26th edition of the Challenge de España.Fontanals Golf Club, located in the heart of La Cerdanya, Girona, is ready to shine on the HotelPlanner Tour. From May 7–11, 2025, this stunning course will host the 26th edition of the Challenge de España. It will be the first time Fontanals welcomes this important event, and preparations are underway to ensure it offers an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike.

According to Golf Industria, the club has been undergoing an exhaustive preparation process led by head greenkeeper Pere Irla and his team. Upgrades have been focused on fine-tuning every detail of the course to meet the highest professional standards. Bunker drainage systems have been improved, the rough has been strategically refined, and the greens are being carefully maintained to ensure firm, fast conditions — all to guarantee a world-class championship environment.

Challenge de España 2025

The Challenge de España 2025 at Fontanals will be organised by JGolf, with the support of the Federación Española de Golf, the Federación Catalana de Golf, and several key sponsors such as AON, Allianz, Volvo, and Titleist. Thanks to its international broadcast, the tournament will also be an excellent opportunity to showcase Girona’s breathtaking landscapes and reinforce its position as a premier destination for sports tourism.

Fontanals Golf Club is a true hidden gem, offering players a unique combination of natural beauty and challenging play. Nestled between the Pyrenees and lush woodlands, the course provides dramatic views and a tranquil setting, making every round memorable. Whether competing at the highest level or enjoying a relaxed game, golfers can appreciate the careful design and pristine conditions that Fontanals is known for.

At Tee Times Golf Holidays, we offer Fontanals as part of our exclusive portfolio of premier golf destinations for the best Spain Golf Holidays. If you’re looking to experience one of Catalunya’s finest courses — soon to be celebrated on the international stage — now is the perfect time to plan your trip.

Contact us today and make Fontanals part of your next golf adventure!

Camiral Golf & Wellness Wins International Environmental Golf Club of the Year Award

Sustainability and world-class golf go hand in hand at Camiral Golf & Wellness, named ‘International Environmental Golf Club of the Year’.Sustainability and world-class golf go hand in hand at Camiral Golf & Wellness, named ‘International Environmental Golf Club of the Year’ at the Golf Environment Awards (GEAs) 2025, organised by STRI Group. This prestigious accolade recognises the resort’s commitment to environmental management, conservation, and responsible resource use, as the excellent news platform My Golf Way explained in a recent article. At the awards ceremony, Ferrán Palau, Director of Golf Operations at Camiral Golf & Wellness, received the trophy from Daniel Lightfoot, Director of Sustainable Golf at The R&A, marking another milestone in the resort’s long-standing dedication to sustainability.

For over 25 years, Camiral Golf & Wellness has been at the forefront of sustainable golf, implementing groundbreaking initiatives that have significantly reduced its environmental impact. The resort uses 100% recycled water across its courses and facilities, eliminating over 70,000 plastic bottles annually. Through an on-site power plant and 316 solar panels, it has cut more than 362 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. In collaboration with expert biologists, Camiral has restored and cultivated a thriving natural ecosystem, ensuring native plant and animal species have a safe and sustainable habitat.

In addition to these efforts, Camiral Golf & Wellness has recently introduced a significant upgrade to its Stadium Course, incorporating sustainable turfgrass varieties such as Bermuda Celebration and Paspalum. This change is set to reduce water consumption by 35% while minimising the need for chemical treatments on the fairways. The resort has also invested in a new fleet of electric Club Car golf buggies, reinforcing its commitment to lowering its carbon footprint without compromising on the high-quality golf experience that players expect.

Flavio Papa, Director of Golf at Camiral, emphasised the importance of this recognition, stating that winning this award is a testament to the resort’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. He highlighted that Camiral has consistently led the way in responsible golf course management and continues to set an example for the industry.

Camiral Golf & Wellness is no stranger to sustainability accolades. It was the first European Tour Destination to obtain GEO Certification in 2013, won the IAGTO Sustainability Award for Nature Protection in 2020, and in 2023, was ranked among Europe’s ‘Green 100’ most sustainable golf resorts.

As one of Spain’s premier golf destinations, Camiral Golf & Wellness is part of Tee Times Golf Agency’s exclusive golf offerings for the best Spain Golf Holidays. Whether drawn by its award-winning sustainability initiatives, stunning 36-hole layout, or five-star hospitality, golfers can experience an eco-conscious and world-class golfing experience like no other.

Photo: My Golf Way.