The satellite tournament ECCO Tour returns to PGA Catalunya Resort for the third year in a row - validating the course's status as a testing ground for the world's best golfers.

Joachim B. Hansen - Photo: DR

The European tourist destination of the Costa Brava - which has hosted the final round of the Tour Qualifying School since 2008 - will host the ECCO Tour Winter Series from February 12 to 21, 2017.

The week-long competition will welcome 132 competitors over 54 face-to-face holes on the two championship courses: the Tour, narrow and strategic and the spectacular and muscular Stadium, ranked best course in Spain by Top100golfcourses.com and Golf World magazine.

The strength of the PGA Catalunya Resort's two courses is reflected in the event formats. Both will see a round played on each course before a cut after 36 holes; The final round of the Mediter Real Estate Masters (February 14-16) will take place on the Tour circuit and the final of the PGA Catalunya Championship (February 19-21) on the course of the Stadium. Each event has an endowment of € 50.

“The quality of the courses and training facilities make PGA Catalunya Resort an ideal location for a 10-day series - and this year the modernization of the five-star Hotel Camiral makes this stage of the ECCO Tour a truly world class experience for all gamers “Said Flemming Astrup, owner and CEO of ECCO Tour.

“In addition, the strength of the field of players we will welcome here reflects the quality of the venue and we are very happy to return to PGA Catalunya Resort for a third consecutive time. "

Founded in 2003, ECCO Tour is a valuable stopover for emerging talents. He proved to be an important stepping stone for a host of European Tour stars, including 2016 ISPS HANDA World Cup winner Thorbjørn Olesen, 2015 BMW Masters champion Kristoffer Broberg, Player of the Year ECCO Tour 2012, Lucas Bjerregaard and European Tour 2017 rookie Sebastian Söderberg.

This year, talented young Swede Marcus Kinhult and Dane Joachim B. Hansen, both seeking a return to the European Tour after unsuccessful 2016 campaigns, as well as German Florian Fritsch.

"The PGA Catalunya Resort is a remarkable place", commented competitor Marcus Kinhult. “Both courses are fantastic, enjoyable and challenging at the same time, and the training facilities, including the addition of the new five-star hotel, make it one of the most complete resorts in Europe. "

For more information about PGA Catalunya Resort: www.pgacatalunya.com

For more details on the 2017 ECCO Tour Winter series: www.eccotour.org/17