Ryder Cup 2031: Camiral Golf to extend Spanish love affair

The Ryder Cup 2031 will be held on Spanish soil for the second time in its history.

Spain’s love affair with golf’s greatest showpiece can’t be measured in miles but in moments, in fire, in flair. In fists clenched and eyes ablaze and sometimes, filled with tears. It began with Seve, of course. That swagger, that swashbuckling brilliance, that unshakable belief that Europe didn’t just belong in the Ryder Cup but could win it. 

He played like a man possessed and when he partnered with José María Olazábal for the first time in 1987, something truly historic happened. Together, they redefined what a pairing could be. Golf, yes—but theatre too. Two Spaniards standing toe-to-toe with America’s finest and more often than not walking away with the point. As a pair, they won 11 of 15 matches together. A bond as much emotional as strategic.

Spain’s first Ryder Cup was held at Valderrama, of course. The second – Ryder Cup 2031 – will be held at Camiral Golf, formerly known as PGA Catalunya. This venue wasn’t chosen by chance. Its tournament pedigree is proven, its infrastructure polished, and its location,  50 miles north of Barcelona, makes it a perfect choice as the Ryder Cup’s centre of gravity shifts toward cultural capitals like Paris, Rome and now, Barcelona. This is part of a wider vision. Golf, but global. Iconic venues within reach of the world.

When the Ryder Cup 2031 come to Spain it will mark just the fourth time the event has been staged on mainland Europe —following in the footsteps of Valderrama in 1997, Le Golf National in Paris in 2018 and Marco Simone near Rome in 2023. It will come after Ryder Cups at Bethpage Black in New York (2025), Adare Manor in Ireland (2027), and Hazeltine National in Minnesota (2029)—a run of iconic venues leading to Catalonia’s turn in the spotlight. Now, it will host golf’s greatest team contest. For those of you plotting your own pilgrimage, this is our guide.

RYDER CUP 2031: CAMIRAL’S HISTORY 

Camiral Golf’s Ryder Cup history goes back decades. Long before its fairways were carved here, this land outside Girona had been identified as the perfect site for the 1997 Ryder Cup, the first to be held on mainland Europe. The scale was right, the climate dependable, and the ambition unmistakable. But in the end, fate chose another path. The honour went to Valderrama—and what followed there became legend.

Still, the dream of creating a Ryder Cup venue never fully disappeared. Even as plans shifted and evolved—at one point the site was destined to become a Formula 1 circuit—a grand vision for the land endured. Eventually, that vision found clarity with the guidance of European Tour stalwart Neil Coles MBE and Spanish golfing mind Ángel Gallardo, a course began to take shape. It would be called the Stadium Course, and it would be built with crowds in mind—its wide corridors, dramatic water features and natural banks all imagined with more thousands of spectators lining the fairways.

When Denis O’Brien, the Irish entrepreneur behind Portugal’s Quinta do Lago, acquired the estate in 2008, he brought with him fresh purpose and deep investment. The course was refined and lengthened to its current 7,333-yard, par-72 championship specification.  The resort itself blossomed—with world-class practice facilities, a luxurious hotel, and an elegant residential community drawing visitors from across Europe.

Over the years, Camiral hosted the Spanish Open, became a home to the pressure-cooker final stage of Qualifying School, and established itself as a permanent member of the DP World Tour’s elite Destinations portfolio. And now, more than three decades after it nearly claimed the Ryder Cup, it will finally get its moment.

Camiral Golf: New Name, New Era

Camiral was once called PGA Catalunya, a name known to serious golfers. A course respected but perhaps overlooked by the broader travelling crowd. No longer. Now reimagined as Camiral Golf, the resort has stepped forward into the limelight. 

This vast 540-hectare forested estate boasts two championship courses and has earned its reputation not through marketing, but merit. But when the 2031 Ryder Cup lands here, the world’s best will walk fairways shaped by something rare in tournament golf: possibility. It is being suggested that rather than leaning solely on the celebrated Stadium Course, organisers have will explore a composite layout using holes from both the Stadium and Tour Courses. The final routing remains under wraps—but one thing is certain: they’ll have no shortage of drama to choose from.

The Stadium Course, already a proven championship venue, is the muscle of the property. Holes like the 1st, with its elevated tee and sweeping views of the Montseny mountains, would offer a stirring opening to any Ryder Cup match. The 9th, the longest par 4 on the property, turns hard to the right before rising to a stern, elevated green—perfect for match play momentum swings. And then there’s the 11th, a picturesque par 3 that falls 15 yards to a green surrounded by bunkers and backed by water. It’s a hole made for theatre.

But the Tour Course brings something different—flow, subtlety, and contrast. Designed by the same team (Coles and Gallardo), it may lack the raw intimidation of its sibling, but in the hands of Ryder Cup architects, that gentler profile could become a weapon. Expect short, strategic par 4s, risk-reward opportunities, and tempo-setting transitions that give the composite course texture and variety.

While much of the focus will fall on the finishing holes—whatever they may be—some of the most decisive moments may come in the middle stretch, where pacing and pairing strategies could turn on a single club choice. A reachable par 5 from the Tour Course here, a daunting par 3 from the Stadium Course there—and suddenly the Ryder Cup is shaped not by tradition, but by invention. Camiral’s composite layout will be the first of its kind in Ryder Cup history, at least in Europe. And that alone makes it fascinating. With years to sculpt it, and two excellent canvases to draw from, the final routing may well reflect not just the land, but the evolving nature of the competition itself: dramatic, unpredictable, and full of character.

Until then, visitors can sample both courses as they stand—walking in the footsteps of future legends, wondering which tee boxes and greens will be written into Ryder Cup lore. One thing is certain: when it all comes together, Camiral won’t just host the Ryder Cup—it will be shaped by it.

Ryder Cup 2031: Captain’s Log

If history has taught us anything, it’s that Spanish captains and Ryder Cups make for unforgettable theatre. Think of Seve Ballesteros in 1997, pacing the fairways at Valderrama like a man possessed, pulling every emotional lever to deliver Europe’s first win on continental soil. Or José María Olazábal in 2012 at Medinah—dignified, composed, overflowing with emotion as he carried the memory of Seve with him — as he guided Europe to one of the miraculous comeback the event has ever seen. His face, his eyes in the moments just after Martin Kaymer’s winning putt dropped will never be forgotten.

In 2031, when the Ryder Cup returns to Spain, the question will be less about whether a Spaniard will lead Europe, and more about which one.

Perhaps the obvious choice by then will be Sergio García. Nobody in Ryder Cup history has won more points than Sergio. Few embody its energy in the same way. He has been Europe’s fire-starter for over two decades—flamboyant, fearless, and fiercely loyal to the cause. To see him stride the fairways at Camiral Golf as captain, in front of his own people, would be a moment for the ages. Redemption, perhaps. A full-circle story. A fitting final act.

And yet… what about Jon Rahm? By 2031, Rahm will be in his mid-thirties, possibly still among Europe’s top ranked players, perhaps still in his prime and wanting to play. But if he isn’t, Rahm has the gravitas, the presence, the passion. He speaks with clarity, leads with fire, and commands respect from both sides of the Atlantic. He is, in many ways, the natural heir to Seve—not in style, but in spirit. If Europe opts for a younger, playing captain—unlikely but not impossible—or chooses to install its alpha early, Rahm would be a powerful choice.

There is time for that decision to take shape. But make no mistake, whoever captains European in the 2031 Ryder Cup will be walking in the footsteps of giants. Spain has always delivered Ryder Cup captains with soul. With legacy. And above all, with belief. Camiral Golf promises to be no different.

Camiral Golf: The Resort Experience

Camiral Golf is more than just a place to play—it’s a place to stay, to savour,  to slow down.

At the centre is the Hotel Camiral, a 5-star haven that combines clean design with Catalan soul. Picture sleek rooms overlooking the fairways. A spa that gazes toward the Pyrenees. Dining that’s proudly local and seasonal. Catalan wines. Olive oil pressed nearby. Even the children’s eco-park feels in tune with the land.

For golfers, the facilities are second to none. A double-ended range, high-tech fitting suites, and short-game zones that rival Tour setups. And as Ryder Cup 2031 draws closer, expect even more investment in performance infrastructure.

But what makes Camiral sing is its accessibility. It’s just 10 minutes from Girona airport, and just over an hour from Barcelona El Prat Airport. You can land in the morning and be teeing off by lunch—with dinner overlooking the vineyards.

This is golf, but not as you know it. This is Catalonia’s call to the world. 

Insider Tips for visiting Camiral Golf

Camiral, with its golden light, towering pines and amphitheatre-style routing, promises any visitor an experience to truly savour. But you’ll want to plan ahead. Here’s what every traveller—and every golf romantic—should know.

Book early. Then book earlier

Come the 2031 Ryder Cup Camiral’s own resort stunning hotel will likely be reserved for players, VIPs, and Ryder Cup officials, so look to boutique stays in Girona’s old town, nearby Figueres, or the Costa Brava coastline. For something truly special, consider a vineyard estate or countryside finca with a pool to escape the match-day bustle.

Ryder Cup 2031: Fly smart

Girona-Costa Brava Airport is just 10 minutes from the resort, but has limited international routes. For more flight options, arrive via Barcelona El Prat, around an hour away by car or train. Hiring a car gives you flexibility to explore the region—just be prepared for controlled access and shuttle zones near the course during Ryder Cup week.

Ryder Cup 2031: Get there early, stay late

The first tee on Friday morning is electric. Thousands of fans, painted faces, chants echoing off the pines. If you’ve never felt it before, be ready—it stirs something primal. .

Pack for variety

September in Catalonia is warm and dry—but the mornings can be cool, and the breeze funnels through the trees on these courses. Layers are your friend. Comfortable shoes are essential—the walk is long, and you’ll want to roam between key viewing points: the 1st tee, the par-3 11th, the grandstand at 18.

Ryder Cup 2031: Don’t rush off.

This part of Spain is a dream. Spend a day in Girona walking the medieval walls or hunting down Michelin stars. Head to the coast and swim in the turquoise waters of the Costa Brava. Or visit the Dali Museum in Figueres. The Ryder Cup may be the headline—but the region will be the story you tell when you get home.

–Best time to visit: April–June and September–October. The weather’s perfect, the light is cinematic, and the fairways are firm.

–Where to fly: Girona for short transfers, Barcelona for international links and a city break.

–Dining on-site: Try 1477 Restaurant for modern Catalan tasting menus.

–Venture out: A meal in Girona’s old town is worth every detour.

–Don’t skip: The short-game area. It’s one of Europe’s best.

Walk it if you can: The Ryder Cup walk is no joke. Get the full feel.

Ryder Cup 2031 – Camiral Golf: Final Thoughts

Camiral Golf is now a destination with a date, a venue with a destiny. The 2031 Ryder Cup will return to Spanish soil, and when it does, it will bring with it all the weight of history, all the fury of rivalry, and all the promise of something unforgettable. It will echo with the spirit of Seve, the emotion of Olazábal, the passion of Sergio, and the fire of Rahm. And as the sun sets on another Ryder Cup Sunday, it may just etch a few new names into legend.

But long before that, Camiral is open to all. You don’t need a gallery to feel the grandeur. You don’t need TV cameras to hear the silence before a swing. You can walk the same fairways, play the same shots, and write your own story into the turf of Catalonia. Because this isn’t just a future home of the Ryder Cup. It’s a place where the game, in all its beauty and brutality, burns bright today. 

Ryder Cup 2031: Camiral Golf Key Facts

CAMIRAL GOLF SCORECARD: STADIUM COURSE

CAMIRAL GOLF SCORECARD: TOUR COURSE

RYDER CUP 2031: CAMIRAL GOLF COURSE MAP