Golf in Costa Brava

During the last two years the entire holiday market - especially the golf market - has changed dramatically due to the arrival of low cost budget airlines. Huge numbers of traditional package holidaymakers have now discovered the benefits of putting together their own "golf package", and golfers have been the ones to benefit.

Spain has forever been a popular destination for golfers and, after just a couple of phone calls or twenty minutes on the internet, you could find yourself booked up for a blistering time on Spain's golf courses before you know it.

The Costa Brava stretches from the French border in the north to Barcelona in the south. It is a region of great natural beauty with rugged cliffs and beautiful beaches bordered to the north by the mighty Pyrenees. However, there is much more to the region than the beautiful coastline or picturesque resorts.

The region is steeped in culture with a rich agricultural and historical heritage and, it is said, holds 30% of the best restaurants in Spain. Plus, there are an abundance of equally impressive and award winning golf courses to choose from. Historically, the Costa Brava has not been seen as a major golf destination by the majority of British golfers, with most preferring the better known and long-established Costa Del Sol or Portugal's Algarve.

Saying that, it is gaining a reputation as a rather competent competitor to those two golfing holiday giants. In the 1990s several major golf developments were undertaken on the Costa Brava. The result is that the region now has several top championship courses with at least three new major developments under construction. Three of the courses - Pals, Emporda and Peralada - are used continually on the European Tour either to host tournaments or stage the nerve-wracking qualifying school.

In 1999, the PGA opened its own course, PGA Catalunya, near Gerona, and held the Sarazen World Open to great acclaim by all involved, including both professionals and the Sky Television team. Golf, in the last few years, really has arrived big time in this region. With excellent communications through Gerona and Barcelona airports, an all year-round mild climate and a well-established transport infrastructure, the Costa Brava has all the attributes of a great holiday hotspot.

Emporda Golf Club, which opened just over ten years ago, was designed by Robert von Hage and is now fully established among Europe's finest 50 courses. Three contrasting loops of nine starting with an outstanding links nine followed by two superb forest and lakes American style courses make up this beautiful course.

The Peralada Golf Course is magnificently situated in the north of the region close to Salvador Dali's home town of Figueres and overlooks the Pyrenees. Venue for the 1995 Catalan Open, this particular course will test both low and high handicappers.

Between Easter and October, the Costa Brava will be at its busiest, especially through July and August. The winter months, however, are reasonably quiet and peaceful with a handful of restaurants and bars remaining open.

On the question of when to play golf, the courses continue to stay in top condition throughout the year and, despite playing in the winter, short-sleeved shirts will suffice. Winter golf in a short-sleeved shirt? You can't argue with that.