Course of the Month - Mas Pagès, Catalonia.

Mas Pagès is a holiday centre, educational centre and summer camp venue, which provides different accommodation possibilities (dormitories and apartments).

It has a refurbished country house with a built up area of 1,500 square metres and 50 hectares of land brimming with facilities designed for guests to enjoy a wonderful holiday. The centre also has a swimming pool and an arena where other sports, such as football, basketball and volleyball, can be played. In addition, there is an adventure course that is made up of a very diverse physical test circuit so that young persons can exercise while having a magnificent time.

These facilities include an 18-hole Pitch and Putt course. The course has existed in one form or other since 1989. In the beginning, it was a small, rural, child-size golf course with a few holes. The idea to extend the course arose after the overwhelming success of the course during the first summer. After a transition period with sand greens and asphalt fairways, a new course was created entirely with grass with nine holes of up to 140 metres and four practice holes.

Gradually, the course and facilities at Crta. de L'Escala a Banyoles, 17468 Sant Esteve de Guialbes (eighteen kilometres from Girona)was transformed into the wonderful facility that exists today. The complex boasts a golf practice area of 225 metres, a putting green, a short game area for practising approach and bunker shots, a bar and a restaurant. Golf Lessons and equipment rental can be arranged and there is ample car parking. There is accommodation for families and groups near the first tee.

Mas Pagès currently has a par 3 18-hole course approved by and associated with the Catalan Golf Federation and a Pitch and Putt Course that also has 18 holes and is registered with the ACPP.

The Pitch and Putt course is more demanding than most. It combines technical (the first 9 holes) with distance (second 9). The greens are very tricky. Mas Pagès is major challenge for all Pitch and Putt players. Recently the course has been slightly modified but remains hugely challenging. Practically all FCPP courses have a standard scratch score of 54. Mas Pagès is rated 56!

Some of the signature holes include the following
4 57 metres Hcp 8
Cross the road and enter the forest. A difficult hole and one which strikes fear in the minds of the fainthearted! Some tall trees must be cleared to reach the green. If the pitch falls short, many are the potential problems. There is some respite. The green is completely flat.

11 82 metres Hcp 1
Out of Bounds runs right along the entire length of the hole and below the green. There are also two bunkers around the green, which is completely flat and quite small. The most difficult hole on the course.

14 69 metres Hcp 15
A good opportunity for birdie. However, don't be long, because your ball could career down the slope behind the green. The green is completely flat.

To finish, the 83 metre 18th is a hole more complicated than it first appears. The fairway slopes from left to right. A smallish green adds a degree of difficulty.

Mas Pagès is run by Anna Badia and her brother Oriol. Oriol is a former Vice President of ACPP and a former Board Member of EPPA.

Mas Pagès was one of the courses considered to host the 2001 and 2010 European Team championships. It has hosted Catalan championships and ranking events. It will be the scene of the IV Catalan International Open in March.

Card of the Mas Pagès Course

(special thanks to Quim Riera for the information provided for this article)