The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship tees off the Road to the 2031 Ryder Cup
The official presentation at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm reinforces the partnership between the DP World Tour and the Catalan brand, launching a shared journey with its first stop at Real Club de Golf El Prat
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship is now a reality. At the official presentation held this Tuesday at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm, Barcelona took the first step in a journey that goes beyond sport: a strategic project that connects the present of the DP World Tour with the horizon of the 2031 Ryder Cup in Catalunya.
The event marked the coming together of the DP World Tour and its main sponsoring partner, Estrella Damm, with the participation of the Tour’s CEO, Guy Kinnings, and the CEO of Estrella Damm, Jorge Villavecchia, who highlighted the importance of building this path together towards 2031 through an annual tournament, starting this year at Real Club de Golf El Prat from May 7–10.
Representing Real Club de Golf El Prat, Vice President Íñigo Montesino-Espartero Velasco attended the event on behalf of the President, who was unable to be present due to prior commitments.
The tournament will not only mark the start of the 2026 European Swing but also positions itself as the first major milestone in an unprecedented “Road to 2031”.
A global project with a local identity
During the event, both leaders emphasized the scale of the project. Beyond the competition itself, the goal is clear: to position Catalonia as one of the leading golf destinations worldwide.
“We are facing a very significant moment for European golf,” said Kinnings. “Barcelona is a region used to hosting major sporting events, and this tournament will generate a substantial economic impact and, above all, leave a lasting legacy in the region.”
In the same vein, Villavecchia highlighted the long-term vision behind the project: “It was a natural evolution. We have been linked to golf for years and wanted to be part of a long-term project, not just a one-off initiative.”
The championship is therefore born with a dual ambition: to be a global event capable of attracting fans from all over the world — with spectators expected from more than 80 countries — while also reflecting Catalan culture, hospitality and identity.
Spain, a key player in Ryder Cup history
Un dels grans eixos de l’acte va ser el paper històric d’Espanya a la Ryder Cup. Amb 11 jugadors espanyols al llarg de la seva història i figures icòniques com Seve Ballesteros, el llegat espanyol continua molt present al circuit.
De fet, el torneig arrencarà el 7 de maig, una data especialment simbòlica en coincidir amb el 15è aniversari de la mort de Ballesteros. El DP World Tour ha anunciat que aquell dia tots els jugadors vestiran el seu icònic vestit —pantalons blaus, jersei blau i polo blanc— com a homenatge a una de les grans llegendes del golf mundial.
“Espanya ha tingut un impacte enorme a la Ryder Cup, tant pels seus jugadors com per la passió del seu públic”, va destacar Kinnings. “Aquest llegat continua molt viu i mira ara cap al futur des de Catalunya”.
A strong Spanish line-up
On the sporting side, the tournament will feature a strong Spanish representation. In addition to confirmed players Pablo Larrazábal, Nacho Elvira and Ángel Ayora, new names include Ángel Hidalgo, Eugenio Chacarra, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Adri Arnaus and Jorge Campillo.
All of them highlighted the special feeling of competing at home.
“It’s always very special to play in Spain,” one of the players said in a video message. “It’s a spectacular course and I’m sure it will be a great week, with strong support from the fans.”
Ángel Hidalgo also expressed his excitement about being part of the journey towards the Ryder Cup: “I’m really happy to play the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship and to be part of this road to 2031.”
Adri Arnaus: “Playing at home is a privilege”
One of the highlights of the event was a live appearance by Adri Arnaus, one of the key local players, who joined remotely from Dubai.
The Catalan golfer, who has ties to Real Club de Golf El Prat, did not hide his excitement:
“It’s a privilege to play at home. Having friends, family and Spanish fans close by is something unique. Whenever you compete here, you feel truly supported.”
Arnaus also pointed out the impact of tournaments like this on younger generations:
“For young players, it’s a huge motivation. Watching these tournaments and seeing the players makes you want to train harder and dream about being there one day. I experienced that myself as a kid.”
Much more than golf: tourism, economy and legacy
From Estrella Damm, the role of the tournament within a broader territorial strategy was also highlighted.
“Golf generates high-quality tourism that integrates into the environment and delivers real economic value,” explained Villavecchia. “Events like this help position Catalonia internationally and create sustainable growth.”
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship will also be the first in a series of events to be held across different Catalan courses in the coming years, reinforcing the idea of a progressive journey towards 2031.
The beginning of a journey
With strong institutional backing and the involvement of both public and private stakeholders, the project aims to leave a mark beyond a single week of competition.
“We want to build something that lasts,” said Villavecchia. “This is not just about organizing a great event, but about creating a legacy that will be remembered when the Ryder Cup arrives in 2031.”
The first step is already set. From May 7 to 10, Real Club de Golf El Prat will once again take its place on the European golf map and begin a journey that promises to shape the future of golf in Catalonia.