Barcelona, Spain: Multi-time Spanish Open venue Real Club de Golf El Prat has introduced a new sustainability plan, highlighted by the renovation of its acclaimed Yellow Course. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the club focused its attentions on making the Greg Norman Golf Course Design-sculpted course more sustainable as well as improving its playability.

The objective of the sustainable plan is to reduce the economic and environmental impact by eliminating more than 50 bunkers, modifying a further 31 sand traps and remodelling fringe areas.

Other advantages of the project are the reduction of water consumption, energy and fuel for machineries, and nutrients or phytosanitary products to apply to the course.

Australian Greg Norman designed the Yellow, Pink and Green courses that form Real Club de Golf El Prat, and which were opened in 2004.

Norman, who led the renovation, said: “I thank the club for entrusting us with re-doing the 45 holes a few years ago. We had a fantastic journey on that trip relocating the golf courses. But the most important thing we have come away with from all this, is the sustainability and the playability of all 45 holes. I am proud of the fact that we delivered that to such a great club.

“Besides improving the sustainability, we wanted to maintain the original design as much as possible. That’s why the removed bunkers were turned into rough areas, maintaining the original shape.”

Greg Norman Golf Course Design is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Around the greens, the rough areas have been increased to reduce run off. But new maintenance standards are established for greens, fairways and rough, so that they are always in the best shape possible.

Throughout 2021, greens are being aerated using a new machine that ensures the quality of the putting surfaces.

Overall, 56 bunkers have been removed and 31 modified and the players’ feedback has been very positive.

This plan does not only deliver a more eco-friendly course with an improved playability, but also offering members and visitors of Real Club de Golf El Prat a more varied golf Club. Especially, those playing multiple rounds will benefit from the variety of layouts with a demanding Pink course or the easier Yellow, making sure they make the most of their experience.