(Girona, Spain - January 11, 2012) The Costa Brava region near Barcelona has been voted one of Continental Europe’s top-three ‘Best Value Destinations’ in the inaugural Today’s Golfer Travel Awards.

In the February 2012 issue of the UK’s best selling golf magazine, the Catalan region was given a podium finish alongside The Algarve (1st) and Turkey (2nd) to secure its position as the leading destination in Spain, ahead of the Costa del Sol.

Costa Brava’s critically acclaimed PGA Catalunya Resort, a World Top 100 Golf Course, was runner-up in the Best Courses category, with its popular hotel, the Melia Golf Vichy Catalan Hotel, also taking runner-up honours.

It caps a decade of continued growth in golf tourism in the region, which boasts nine high quality courses all within easy driving distance, since it was awarded ‘Emerging Golf Destination of the Year’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) in 2000.

Commenting on the awards, Ramón Ramos, Director at Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona, said: “Being confirmed as one of Europe’s top three best value golf travel destinations alongside The Algarve and Turkey, two popular golfing havens that have regularly topped travel polls, is a fantastic accolade.

“Competition in Spain itself to draw in visitors to particular regions is fierce,” he continued. “However, the authenticity of this region, the quality of its restaurants, the stunning beaches and fishing villages celebrated by Dalí, not to mention our outstanding golf courses, is attracting more and more visitors, underlining the true meaning of value.”

The Costa Brava boasts many enjoyable golf courses, each offering different playing experiences and sharply contrasting landscapes, including:

• Empordà Golf - a 36-hole golf and hotel complex with the European Top 100 ranked Links Course
• Club de Golf Peralada - featuring a luxury hotel and wine spa that offer stunning views of the Pyrenees
• Club de Golf Costa Brava - one of the region’s oldest golf courses that presents a good test for players of all standards
• Golf Platja de Pals - a British-style 18-hole par-73 situated on the Spanish seafront
• Torremirona Golf Club - provides the ideal challenge for mid-level golfers and wonderful views of the Pyrenees and the bay of Roses
• Club Golf D’Aro-Mas Nou - located at the heart of a nature park containing thousands of olive trees, pines, holm and cork oaks, 300m above sea level
• Par 3 P&P Gualta - perfect for those looking to perfect their short game or for a quick and pleasant round
• Golf Girona - the only course in Spain sown entirely Penncross, the highest quality grass for golf
• PGA Catalunya Resort - a 36-hole course World Top 100 and a two-time Spanish Open venue

The region’s rich cultural and historical heritage has inspired many, from world-famous artists and architects to modernist writers and visionaries, including Salvador Dalí and Josep Pla.

Its authentic cuisine has spawned Spain’s highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, including the highly esteemed three Michelin-star El Celler de Can Roca in Girona - ranked 2nd in Restaurant Magazine’s World Top 50 - and Casamar Restaurant in Llafranc, Palafrugell, which is Costa Brava's latest establishment to join the prestigious list with its first star (November 2011).

“It has been heartening to see Costa Brava named among National Geographic Traveler’s top 20 ‘Best of the World 2012’ destinations and to have our golf courses ranked among the world’s Top 100,” Ramón Ramos added. “To start the year as one of Europe’s best value golf destinations definitely sets high standards for the future.

“It is therefore fitting that our mission is to always offer visitors a truly outstanding, unique golf experience and we look forward to 2012, and beyond, with huge optimism and excitement.”

The first Today’s Golfer Travel Awards were held in conjunction with golf travel operator Your Golf Travel.

Additional information on Costa Brava can be found at www.costabrava.org and www.golf.costabrava.org

Picture caption 1: PGA Golf Catalunya Resort, ranked a World Top 100 Course and a Spanish Open venue
Picture caption 2: Costa Brava, an idyllic coastal gem