During half-term seven pupils attended a Golf tour to PGA Catalunya to improve their skills in advance of the season ahead – here is a report of the trip:
Day One
A 5am minibus pick-up from the College didn’t dampen the excitement for the trip ahead, and the hour-long journey to Heathrow was filled with enthusiastic anecdotes (mostly from tour chatterbox, Emily).
Having waved off Mr MacDowel at the College, who sadly couldn’t make the trip due to illness, the seven pupils from Third Form through to Upper Sixth were accompanied by golf pro Adam, who talked them through the intensive four-day programme that lay ahead.
On landing in Barcelona the group headed for the world-famous PGA Catalunya resort near Girona, ranked in Europe’s Top 50. A quick check-in preceded lunch in the Clubhouse, with youngest group member Oscar impressing the group with his ability to eat five bread rolls in the space of a minute, before the main course had even arrived. The Clubhouse overlooks the incredible first tee of the Stadium Course, which the team were set to tackle the following afternoon.
The group hopped into their buggies and raced off to the driving range for an afternoon of practice and coaching in the Spanish sunshine, led by Adam. Tour DJ Max selected a high-tempo playlist to keep everyone awake after the early start – luckily being the off-season; we had the facilities much to ourselves.
Adam said: “This was a great chance to dust off the cobwebs from the winter and start the week on the right foot. Each of the pupils had a chance to capture their swing on video and work together on key areas they felt were in need of improvement. Even after the early start the work rate was impressive, with all working hard throughout the afternoon.”
Day Two
The hotel’s breakfast buffet provided the fuel for a busy day ahead – five courses, no less, for some (mentioning no names, Liam). A quick team meeting to cover the plan for the day, and back to the range for some long and short game practice. With a 2pm tee-off at the Stadium Course looming, the group relished the opportunity for some final preparation.
The resort’s Stadium Course is long, hilly and the terrain is naturally undulating. With sweeping fairways, mature forest, strategic water hazards and fast, true-rolling greens, it is a challenging experience.
Adam said: “After a refreshing night sleep it was time to hit the range. This morning was short game drills after warming up on the main range. We set up the short game area to reflect different lies to see how everyone adapted the changing conditions. After a video master class from Emily, which will no doubt be a YouTube sensation, and some hearty lunch, it was game time with the pairings being: Max and Darragh v Emily and Canice, and Adam and Alex v Liam and Oscar.
“Both games were a great time to play as a team and build connections. The biggest cheer of the day came on the Third hole where, firstly, Darragh holed his fourth shot by pitching in from 100 yards. Not to be outdone, Emily drained a 30+ footer for birdie – the cheer that followed could be heard around the course. The winners from both games were Max and Darragh, Liam and Oscar. I don’t think Oscar missed a single fairway; his new nickname should be radar.”
That evening the group tucked into tapas in the resort’s Hotel Camiral bar, and learnt some simple Spanish from Belen, an Epsom College mum, and our resident Spanish translator – the phrases ‘bocadillo de jamon‘, ‘bocadillo de pollo‘, ‘Fanta Limon‘ and ‘hamburguesa‘ were by far the most used for the remainder of the trip. Alternatively, if you are Oscar, just add ‘la’ to the start and ‘o’ to the end of every English word to make it Spanish: ‘la cookio ice creamo‘.
Day Three
The final full day of the tour saw another morning of practice at the range. Adam said: “The main focus today was putting. As I explained to the group, this is one area we never spend a lot of time on. For the first part we set up putting mirrors for everyone to check the golfers’ eye line, alignment, ball position and stroke. Then we set up a few skills challenges which tested them against each other in a competitive environment. Hopefully, the afternoon round will see more putts holed…”
Today we had booked the best table in the Clubhouse for lunch – our own glass room overlooking the green. The very best view to enjoy as we tucked into our ‘bocadillos‘, made predictions for the afternoon’s round on the Tour Course, and heatedly debated each other’s current handicaps – cue some Google searches from Adam to establish accurate information. Head of Golf, Darragh, made some confident predictions for his own performance – the proof would be on the scorecard…
Adam said: “The tour course was a little easier and a chance for everyone to open their shoulders as there was a little more forgiveness. This round pitted the winners of yesterday’s rounds in the following matches: Max and Darragh v Liam and Oscar, Adam and Alex v Canice and Emily.
“The formidable force of Radar Oscar and Smasher Liam finished on top with an impeccable team performance. Myself and Alex and I played against possibly the most talkative pairing ever, especially with the shock news of the Kardashians – was apparently huge news that we heard about for the next four hours. We came out on top, but I must say Canice is one of the best female golfers I’ve ever played with… one to watch in the future.”
For the final evening meal, we dined in Hotel Camiral’s formal restaurant, to reflect on the tour, distribute individual prizes and feedback, and take on the all-important Pub Quiz. Darragh, Canice and Alex went head-to-head with Max, Liam and Oscar, and in a game of 50 questions, the final scores were only four points apart. Thanks to Canice’s knowledge of capital cities and Harry Potter, the group clinched the win and took home the PGA ball markers.
Adam said: “This was a chance to have a little fun but also show a some appreciation of their dedication to the golf programme. As I said to the team, this week was a chance to have a solid four days of practice and playing which is very rare, especially with the facilities we had access to this week. Every one of the pupils practiced with a key thought approached every session with an open mind and shared many swing thoughts and problems with the group so everyone could learn together as a team.
Tour prizes
Darragh – Shot of the week pitching in from 100 yards for birdie.
Canice – Player who upset the most people who were not part of the group, having accidentally hit her second shot on the par 5 18th through the green which had the group in front putting out and 25+ spectators watching them. As you might guess the ball rolling through the green wasn’t met with an applause, even though it was a great shot.
Max – Comedian of the week who is fluent in trying to speak Spanish and French combined.
Emily – Shot of the week holing a 30+ yard putt on the 3rd hole.
Alex – Best dressed player – top to toe in Hugo Boss, there was only one winner!
Liam – The last person you would want to drive a buggy for you… I can honestly say I won’t be sharing my buggy with Liam going forward!
Oscar – The most energetic person on the whole resort! Non-stop from start to finish… he gives the energiser bunny a run for his money.
The group were presented with PGA Catalunya towels and key rings as a memento of the trip, and in recognition of their hard work and commitment across the four days.
Day Four
Glorious sunshine graced the resort for the final day of golf, before the flight back to Gatwick that evening. For all, a chance to improve upon their first attempt at the Stadium Course.
Adam said: “The final round we mixed it up with a team event as Oscar had to vacate us to go on an another coaching trip with the Surrey team. Myself, Max and Darragh took on Emily, Alex, Canice and Liam on the Stadium Course. This was the best day weather wise with wall-to-wall sunshine. With the format being best two scores from the team, this was a chance to attack the course and take shots on you otherwise wouldn’t. Max, Darragh and myself came out victorious.
“I must say the group were an absolute pleasure to teach, play and spend time with. Each one dedicated themselves to the week and I hope came away with a few more positive thoughts ahead of an important few weeks for the golf team.”
Captain of Golf, Darragh, said: “Everyone enjoyed the few days in the hot sun, playing and practising at world class golf courses and facilities and steads the team well for the upcoming match against Reeds.”
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and successful tour, the first of its kind for the College. The team left more experienced golfers than they arrived, and with some lasting memories. They showed camaraderie throughout, always operating as a team, despite the age range. They were brilliant company, polite, and a credit to the College.
Thank you to Mr MacDowel for impeccably arranging the trip, Adam for leading the golf programme, and Belen for accompanying the group.
By Lisa Kendall
