Wotae: 17.10.2024
Today, it was golf again. The 3rd of 4 tournament days, held at the Golf Club Costa Brava. We didn't have to drive as far as on Tuesday. Just about 20 minutes and 8 kilometers down the hill.
We left Mas Nou in the fog, but the temperature was already at 21 degrees. Generally, rain was forecasted. However, the weather improved throughout the day, the sun showed up in its best light, and it warmed up to 24 degrees. It rained lightly for exactly 2 minutes. This once again shows that weather apps are not always accurate and it's worth pursuing planned activities.
Two impressive cypress trees flank the main gate of the country house of the Costa Brava Golf Club. According to legend, its location once meant a safe refuge and provision for travelers passing through. Even today, the club is known for its social commitment.
The Golf Club Costa Brava is located in Sant Cristina d’Aro. The golf course opened in 1968 and is one of the oldest golf facilities in the region. It is situated in a picturesque area, surrounded by pine forests, cork oaks, and gentle hills.
The Golf Club Costa Brava offers two 18-hole courses; the red course was designed by renowned golf course architect Hamilton Stutt. It features wide fairways and well-placed bunkers. Today, I had more luck and hit the bunkers only rarely.
The facility has 27 holes divided between the red and green courses. Nine holes are played on both courses. The green course, which was added later, is technically more challenging and requires more precision in gameplay. We played the green course today.
The golf course, like all others in the region, is embedded in a typical Mediterranean environment, with pines, cork oaks, and olive trees, as well as a lot of water, making it not only challenging but also scenically beautiful.
The course opened in 1968. The first nine holes feature rather hilly and challenging fairways embraced by pines. The second part is characterized by open, long, and easier holes. The 18 ends right in front of the clubhouse, a large Catalan building from 1841.
Today, we played in a 3-ball flight, and my husband was drawn as my partner. Peter completed the 3-ball. I didn't give Hampi a chance, and he had to concede after 18 holes.
Here again for those who are not golfers, an explanation of what a flight is.
A flight in golf refers to a group of players who play a round of golf together. The size of a flight usually varies between two and four players, with four persons being the standard. In tournaments and official play, four-ball flights are common, but to speed up the game, two or three-player groups can also occur.
The flight ensures that a group of players moves together across the golf course. This organizes the game and keeps the flow of play orderly. The players start together at the first hole and follow the order of the holes together until the last hole.
In golf tournaments, participants are often organized into flights based on their handicap (skill level) or other criteria. This allows golfers with similar skill levels to play together. We were drawn today.
A flight provides a clear structure on the golf course and ensures that players move through the course in an orderly manner.
In my category B, after 3 days of play, I am in 4th place, just one stroke behind the third-place finisher. Tomorrow, we play according to the rankings at the home course Golf d’Aro. This course is very hilly, demanding, and it won't be easy to compete with others here.
We ended the evening with a lovely tapas dinner. The full moon accompanied us on the short way home.