No one was more surprised than me to find I had won the Camiral competition in Golf Monthly for a trip to northern Spain to play golf at one of Europe’s premier golf resorts.
Flights, accommodation for two and two rounds of golf on the Stadium and Tour courses, the former which had been the venue for the Spanish Open in recent years, was the prize. For a 21 handicapper it was like a dream come true but daunting too!
We arrived at Girona airport to be met by a chauffeur and limo to take us the few kilometres to the resort. As we drove up my pulse was racing at the gorgeous surroundings of Camiral.
Check-in was dispatched quickly and so to the golf. My wife was to be my caddy and buggy driver. Standing on the first tee of the Stadium (championship) course, my wife described me as like a schoolboy in a sweet shop. If possible my pulse was even higher with the excitement of playing a course that had hosted such players as Sergio Garcia, Jose Maria Olazabal and many other top names. A very tough 18 holes later and a score we needn’t mention; I was counting my success in the low number of lost balls! Two to be precise.
That night we dined in the hotel restaurant and were served a gourmet three course meal accompanied by a recommended bottle of shiraz. A night cap in the bar and an early night to dream of tomorrow’s round.
Out early to the Tour course. We had the tee to ourselves. I often describe a quiet course as “millionaires golf”. This morning was the nearest I can envisage to the real thing. A few hours later and I had played to my handicap on a beautiful course in glorious weather. Magical.
We just had time for lunch in the clubhouse overlooking the course, a little lazing by the pool followed by chauffeured limo to Barcelona and home to reality.
All in all, Camiral Golf Resort is a fantastic place for golfers of all standards and offers challenges and enjoyment in abundance for everyone. Thanks to all concerned for the wonderfully organised trip!