Med Group nurtures future stars of golf

A newly launched golf academy on Spain’s Costa Daurada has been set up to provide the next Padraig Harrington or Ian Poulter with supreme training facilities to develop their talents all year round.

Based at the Med Group’s luxurious Bonmont golf and residential community, south of Barcelona, the John Cook School of Golf will also provide budding 8-18 year old players with warm weather training between October and March ahead of the UK golf season.

Players will be recommended by the Union of Golf Clubs, to take part in four and five-day residential courses at Bonmont where they will receive expert tuition and the chance to hone their skills on one of Europe’s finest golf courses.

The course at Bonmont is widely acclaimed and has played host to many PGA and PRO-AM tournaments, making it the ideal location for young players to experience top-class championship facilities as part of their education.

John Cook, Founder of the John Cook School of Golf, said: “It is vital for the development of British golf that players have facilities to practice and be tutored from an early age throughout the year. The warm weather training allows individuals to sharpen up their skills ahead of the new season without being interrupted by the inclement British weather.

“With its picturesque Mediterranean setting, Bonmont is one of the most beautiful courses in Spain. This makes it the ideal place to create our junior golf programme and discover the next stars of this well established sport.”

In addition to the academy programme, the school is also available to all Bonmont residents and other UK-based golf enthusiasts, whilst it is also expects to launch a specific scholarship scheme with select public schools.

Jesus Abellan, Managing Director of the Med Group, said: “We are proud to boast such a renowned golf course and it is tribute to the facilities we have at Bonmont that the decision was made to base the academy here.

“All those participating in the tutoring packages will be able to sample the superb properties we have for sale, all of which overlook this stunning course and make it one of the most popular destinations for people wanting to invest in property abroad.”

Priced from €398 (£319) per person for a five-day course, the package include shared accommodation at Bonmont with participants having a coaching session each morning and the opportunity to play three rounds on the development’s main course and one on the newly launched par 3 course.

Situated 75 minutes from the centre of Barcelona, the 130-acre Bonmont residential community is situated between the mountains and the sea. When complete it will be home to 1,000 residential units – not exceeding a 30 per cent maximum density building standard – plus the Sheraton Bonmont Golf Resort & Spa.

The development is built around a spectacular par 72, 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and facilities include three large swimming pools, an additional par 3 course, tennis courts, paddle tennis and a large, multi-purpose sports pitch.

The clubhouse, which has wide-ranging sea and golf course vistas, is home to the golf academy, a fully-equipped gym, a bar as well as a restaurant offering fine Mediterranean cuisine.

Reus airport is 15 minutes from Bonmont and Barcelona airport just 75 minutes.

Prices

Four-day Golf Schools (September/October 2008) - €525 (£420)

- Four nights accommodation (sharing)
- Tuition with John Cook
- Three rounds on Bonmont+
- One round on Bonmont par 3
- Unlimited range balls

Five-day Golf Holiday/Tuition (November 2008 – March 2009) - €398 (£319)

- Four nights accommodation (four sharing)
- Two hours tuition with John Cook each morning
- Three rounds on Bonmont+
- One round on Bonmont par 3
- Unlimited range balls

*To enquire about available properties at Bonmont, visit Bonmont.es
**To enquire about John Cook’s School of Golf visit Cookgolfcoach.com