Catalan resort INFINITUM has released new details about ongoing renovations to its popular Hills course, which promise to elevate the worldclass.golf destination to the upper echelons of European golf. Work on the back nine of Alfonso Vidaor’s ‘modern classic’ began this January and will conclude in October, enhancing both course conditioning and playing experience while also making a stunning visual impact.
The first phase of the ambitious project — led by highly regarded architect Dave Sampson of European Golf Design — will see significant changes made to four key holes and is the course’s biggest upgrade since it opened in 2008. The par-three tenth hole will be notably lengthened with new tee positions created, while the 15th and 16th holes will have their playing directions reversed to improve the player experience. Perhaps most excitingly, the 18th hole will become one of the most dramatic finishing holes in Europe thanks to the addition of an island green protected by water in front and behind.
In line with the resort’s commitment to sustainability, the Hills’ current fairway grass will be replaced with the highly drought-resistant Bermuda 419 to reduce demand for water throughout the year. Meanwhile, Zoysia grass will be implemented around each bunker to cut down on water and chemical consumption, following the model used in the renovation of the neighbouring Lakes course last year.
Another sustainability-focused change will see the number of bunkers reduced — specifically on the 12th hole — in a move to enhance both greenkeeping efficiency and the playing experience. The front nine will undergo an equally impressive transformation from this December through to September next year, after this year’s DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage has once again graced the Hills and Lakes courses in November.
Joaquín Mora Bertrán, Deputy General Manager of Golf, Beach Club and F&B at INFINITUM, said: “We’re delighted to follow up the success of the Lakes refurbishment last year with another historic transformation, which we believe will create for our guests one of the best and most sustainable golfing experiences anywhere in Europe.”
The renovation of both 18-hole courses comes at a time when INFINITUM’s profile in the golfing world is higher than ever. As well as regular hosting duties for the DP World Tour’s end-of-season showpiece, the venue recently welcomed the Scandinavia-based ECCO Tour for the first time. Alongside half of the Hills course, participants at the latter event experienced the Lakes and nine-hole Ruins, both of which were designed by two-time Major winner Greg Norman.
