When I was a young man of 20, which shockingly, is 44 years ago, I turned professional and went off to the Tour School at La Manga. I had great dreams and hopes, well beyond my station. I failed miserably in 1982, but returned a year later with some more experience and managed to get my tour card in October 1983. This gave me playing rights for the following season. In 1984 I did not perform well and returned to the Tour School at La Manga where I performed poorly. The international career that I had so keenly imagined crashed and burned in October 1984. Nevermind, I got over it and now I have to content myself with playing golf for fun, which is utterly delightful, and running some golf businesses and writing this journal.
For a young aspiring Golf Pro, there can be nothing more scary than going to the Tour School. It determines your immediate future and often your long-term future, as without regular play on the Tour, there is little future for those that wish to earn their living from playing golf. Obviously this leads to a very stressful week. I’m now a very happy resident for part of the year at the La Manga Golf complex which is magnificent, but occasionally I remember just how difficult it was to get through the qualifying stage. I’m no great believer in stress, but that is as close as I’ve come to experiencing it.
La Manga now hosts the Staysure Seniors Open and the Tour School these days is held not far away at Infinitum. This is an excellent golf facility which comprises of 45 holes and is the ideal setting for the arduous task that these, mainly young, men face each autumn.
There are more details below and many may wish to visit. It’s a very beautiful relaxing place once you have got away from the exertions of qualifying for the European Tour.
INFINITUM TO HOST DP WORLD TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL FINAL STAGE FOR AN EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Costa Dorada resort welcomes 156 players competing for 15 DP World Tour cards across its newly renovated Hills and Lakes courses this November
INFINITUM will once again take centre stage for one of the most pressurised weeks in the professional golf calendar this November, as the resort hosts the season-defining Final Stage of DP World Tour Qualifying School. From November 6-11, 156 players will head to Spain’s Costa Dorada to compete for one of just 15 coveted cards for the 2027 season.
Now in its eighth year at INFINITUM, this year’s Final Stage will see players contest six rounds across 108 holes, with a cut after 72 holes trimming the field ahead of a decisive closing 36 holes. The resort has hosted Final Stage every year since 2017, aside from a two-year pause during the pandemic, and a three-year agreement signed in November 2024 secures its position as host through to 2027.
The Costa Dorada has produced some memorable finishes in recent years. Last November, South Africa’s Zander Lombard set a new INFINITUM Q School record, closing out a remarkable 13-shot victory at 37-under-par to secure his card for the 2026 season. In doing so, he followed Edoardo Molinari (2024), Freddy Schott (2023) and Simon Forsström (2022) in earning a place on the DP World Tour with victory at the resort.
Players will once again be tested across two of INFINITUM’s championship layouts: the Greg Norman-designed Lakes course and the Alfonso Vidaor-designed Hills, which has recently undergone a multi-million-euro, two-phase renovation led by Dave Sampson of European Golf Design.
Highlights of the newly completed Hills renovation include a reimagined opening hole and a dramatic island-green-style 18th set against a striking quarry backdrop, while drought-resistant grasses on the fairways reduce water use across the course.
The decisive closing 36 holes will be played on the Lakes course, which itself completed a €1.5 million renovation in 2024.
Joaquín Mora Bertrán, Deputy General Manager at INFINITUM, said: “Hosting Final Stage for an eighth consecutive year is a huge source of pride for everyone at INFINITUM. It comes at a particularly special moment, with players set to experience the newly renovated Hills course in tournament conditions for the very first time. We know how much this week means to the players competing for their cards, and we can’t wait to welcome them to INFINITUM.”
Gary Butler, DP World Tour Qualifying School Director, said: “INFINITUM has become synonymous with Final Stage, and its consistency as a venue is a huge asset to Qualifying School. With two outstanding courses and a real test of golf across six rounds, it’s the perfect stage for players to earn their DP World Tour card for 2027.”
INFINITUM Golf showcases three world-class golf courses, each with its own distinct design and layout: the Lakes, the Hills and the nine-hole Ruins. Its award-winning facilities have played host to the DP World Tour on many occasions, including its famous Qualifying School Final Stage on seven previous occasions, showcasing pristine conditions, with rolling fairways and undulating greens, complemented by spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.
The golf courses are complemented by two state-of-the-art clubhouses, designed to illustrate the region’s breath-taking views, in addition to modern practice facilities including the Callaway Fitting Studio by INFINITUM, a fully equipped pro shop and a bespoke fitness centre. The resort also features one of the finest beach clubs in Europe, comprising ten swimming pools, each with its own charm and personality, a beach bar and one of the region’s finest restaurants, Flamma.
Set amongst a pine forest and above Playa Larga, the beach club presents a unique experience with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, offering a tranquil and peaceful environment to unwind in. A range of exclusive dining options means INFINITUM is the beating heart of Tarragona’s famous gastronomy scene, with top-of-the-range service and showcasing the finest local produce, expertly developed for a sophisticated palate.
Committed to both inclusivity and sustainability, INFINITUM led the way as the first golf resort in Spain to sign up to The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, while also receiving its GEO Certification for the second time in 2021. While the resort’s ‘eco-first’ strategy is present throughout, the Lakes course is particularly recognised for its conservation work as a certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary.
For more information on INFINITUM, or to book, visit www.infinitumliving.com