DSC_0015 This February, the Danish satellite ECCO Tour returned to Camiral Resort for the third successive year – validating the venue’s status as a proving ground for the world’s best golfers.

The Costa Brava-based European Tour Destination – which has hosted The Tour’s Qualifying School Final Stage event since 2008 – hosted the 2017 ECCO Tour Winter Series, which saw the local resident Mathieu Fenasse crowned victorious after the grueling week-long competition.

A field of 132 competed in back-to-back 54-hole strokeplay tournaments over the resort’s two championship courses – the tight, strategic Tour and the dramatic, muscular Stadium layout, ranked the best in Spain by Top100golfcourses.com and Golf World magazine. Mathieu Fenasse, who partially lives at Camiral Resort, emerged victorious after a finishing tied first alongside three other players but a birdie on the first playoff hole (18th) was enough to secure the title.

“The quality of the courses and practice facilities make Camiral Resort a great venue for a 10-day series – and this year, the modernising of the five-star Hotel Camiral made this leg of the ECCO Tour a truly world-class experience for all players,” said Flemming Astrup, ECCO Tour owner and CEO.

“In addition, the strength of the field we get here reflects the quality of the venue and we were very happy to return to Camiral Resort for a third straight time.”

Founded in 2003, the ECCO Tour presents a valuable stage for emerging talent. It has proved 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, ECCO Tour Player of the Year 2012, Lucas Bjerregaard, and 2017 European Tour rookie, Sebastian Söderberg.

“Camiral Resort is a remarkable venue,” commented returning contender Marcus Kinhult.

“The two courses are fantastic, enjoyable and challenging at the same time, and the practice facilities, including the addition of the new 5* hotel, make it one of the most complete resorts in Europe.”