Golfers visiting the Costa Brava region during May and June can take in some high-octane action at Spain’s iconic Circuit de Catalunya track, just an hour’s drive from the region’s leading golf courses.
The fifth race of the 2012 FIA Formula One (F1) World Championship Calendar, the F1 Gran Premio de España Santander, is set to rev into gear on May 11-13, when Red Bull’s reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel will defend his 2011 victory.
The following month sees the long-awaited Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya, MotoGP™’s fifth instalment of the 2012 season, where Casey Stoner took his 26th victory, with 2010 race winner Jorge Lorenzo finishing in second followed by American teammate Ben Spies in third.
The combination of Circuit de Catalunya’s challenging 4.6km track, its high and low-speed corners, plus its abrasive track surface, makes for physically and mechanically taxing races, which provide thrills and spills that make Catalunya a popular choice with visitors from abroad.
“Mixed with usually fantastic weather conditions and authentic Catalan culture and cuisine for which the region is renowned, adrenaline-loving golfers are truly spoilt for choice,” commented Ramón Ramos, Director at Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board.
“Golf enthusiasts who love their motor racing can enjoy six days of track action – a three-day fix from May 11 with the 66-lap F1 race on May 13, and another three-day two-wheeled action from June 1 culminating in a MotoGP™ frenzy on June 3, 2012.”
Visitors keen to combine either the F1 Gran Premio de España Santander or MotoGP™’s Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya with a round of golf can choose from many exceptional courses, including:
*PGA Golf Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course, Spain’s No.1 golf course and World Top 100 that hosted two Spanish Opens;
*Club Golf d’Aro Mas Nou that offers spectacular vistas from its 300m above sea-level perch;
*British-designed Club de Golf Costa Brava that presents a good test for players of all standards;
*Golf Girona, the only course in Spain sown entirely with Penncross grass;
*Torremirona Golf Club that enjoys wonderful views over the Pyrenees;
*Club de Golf Peralada whose design shows the greatest respect for the environment and its natural surroundings;
*Costa Brava’s oldest course, British-designed Golf Platja de Pals.
The region is directly accessible to visitors thanks to Girona Costa Brava Airport, an increasingly important Ryanair hub, Barcelona El Prat international airport, which is just over an hour away, as well as the high-speed rail link that will connect Paris to Costa Brava with a travel time of less than six hours.
