Tue, December 08, 2009

Victorious Khan credits PGA Catalunya Resort following European Tour Qualifying School win

Girona, Spain – December 3, 2009)

Simon Khan, winner of the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, has credited host venue PGA Catalunya Resort for its “great” golf courses.

Khan, who finished 20-under-par for the six-round golfing marathon that saw 31 players from a field of 156 gain playing rights for the 2010 Race to Dubai, said it had been “a joy to play” both the Tour and Stadium Courses. “When I arrived here there was a realisation that I was back at Tour School and it was going to be tough, but it definitely helped to be playing such great golf courses,” Khan said during his winner’s speech. “The Stadium Course is really well defined and, with all the elevated tees, it’s clear where you need to drive the ball. It reminds me of Loch Lomond and Wentworth. It’s also a course that requires good distance control with irons, which is something I achieved.” 

Presenting Khan with the winner’s silver plate was former Spanish Open winner and co-designer of PGA Catalunya Resort’s two courses, Angel Gallardo. Gallardo, along with European Tour legend Neil Coles, designed the acclaimed Stadium Course, venue of this year’s Spanish Open, which is ranked the number three golf course in Europe by Golf Monthly magazine. The pair also combined to design the Tour Course, which is also highly rated and, for the second successive year, hosted the early rounds of Qualifying School Final Stage.

European Tour Qualifying School Director Mike Stewart said: “PGA Catalunya Resort has proved once again to be an outstanding venue for the Final Stage of Qualifying School. The resort and its greenkeeping staff have presented both the Tour and Stadium Courses in superb condition and a firm but fair test of golf for the players. “Congratulations to Simon Khan and everyone who has qualified for next year’s European Tour.”

Khan finished a shot clear of England’s Sam Hutsby, the 2009 Amateur Championship finalist, with Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher a shot further back on 18-under-par. Billy O’Sullivan, CEO of PGA Catalunya Resort, said: “It has been an excellent week and we have had nothing but praise from the players about the courses. Clearly, it’s a tough week all round, but our greens staff did a great job, presenting the courses in immaculate condition and ensuring the greens remained silky smooth and true rolling throughout. “PGA Catalunya Resort has been hosting European Tour events since it opened in 1999, and we are delighted to have played an important part in another successful event.”