Camiral set to become Europe’s next great Ryder Cup venue
By Jason Scott Deegan, GolfPass Managing Editor
The Ryder Cup’s first visit to continental Europe was a memorable one.
A U.S. team loaded with young stars Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson was supposed to roll through Spain victorious, but the 1997 European Ryder Cup team – as it usually does – rose to the occasion at Valderamma to pull off a memorable upset, 14 ½ to 13 ½, building up a heated rivalry that continues to this day.
The interesting thing is, that Ryder Cup was meant to be held elsewhere at Golf de Caldas, a resort development bubbling up from the ground in the Spanish region of Catalonia, 10 miles south of Girona, and north of Barcelona. Construction delays and funding issues forced the matches to move to one of Spain’s most recognizable clubs. The resort – now called Camiral – that missed its first opportunity will finally get its Ryder Cup. Three-plus decades of patience felt like a long wait.
Camiral’s demanding Stadium Course has landed the bid to host the 2031 Ryder Cup Matches. The Stadium Course at Camiral, a Quinta do Lago resort, has held three Spanish Opens and the DP World Tour’s Catalunya Championship, so its tournament pedigree has been well established by now. Given the timing, expect Spanish legend Jose Maria Olazabal to be named the European Team captain, just as Seve Ballesteros was in 1997, with countryman Sergio Garcia as a vice captain.
Both the teams and fans will be impressed with the five-star luxury at Camiral, an esteemed member of The Leading Hotels of the World built on more than 1,300 acres of Mediterranean forest. Camiral – formerly named PGA Cataluyna – has already announced changes to get the 6,530-meter (7,141-yards) Stadium Course ready for large crowds and thrilling match-play moments. A reported €5.5-million renovation this year is set to improve all bunkers, enhance drainage to optimize the firmness of the fairways and greens and transition the turf to Bermuda just in time to host the DP World Tour’s Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship in 2028, 2029 and 2030 before golf’s biggest showcase.
The origins of golf at Camiral
Debuting in 1999, the Stadium Course didn’t need any additional artificial mounding to create a Stadium-like experience. Rolling hills bracket many fairways, creating natural viewing spots between the trees and down to greens set in low-lying areas near water. Nine different ponds come into play on six dramatic holes, where one swing can turn the tide, which is perfect for match play.
The challenge starts right away at the first hole, a shapely par 4 playing downhill to a green with water on the left. The third hole is similar except that it’s a par 5, so anyone tempted to go for it in two must guard against hooking the second shot into the water. A bailout right into heavy rough and bunkers is no guarantee, either.
The best looking – and most dangerous – water hole comes at no. 13, which has been ranked among the top 100 holes in Europe by at least one publication. Players must find a narrow, slithering fairway off the tee or risk a tough shot out of heavy rough to find a tiny peninsula green that slopes in front toward the water. It takes two precise shots.
If your game isn’t quite ready for prime time, Camiral’s 5,832-meter (6,412-yard) Tour Course delivers many of the same hilly looks – the arduous climbs to greens and thrilling downhill tee shots – just on a more manageable scale. Water guards only four holes and can be easily skirted with cautious play. A turf reduction program being carried out this year will improve its environmental impact.
With GolfPass offering a stay-and-play golf package to Camiral, there’s no excuse why American golfers can’t plan a scouting mission in advance of the 2031 Ryder Cup Matches. And if you’re inspired to explore more of the country’s world-class layouts while you’re there, Spain offers no shortage of unforgettable golf experiences. Visiting Spain? Book a tee time with GolfNow. Camiral is ready to deliver a golf vacation of a lifetime.