Over the last 10 years, Lumine Mediterránea Beach & Golf Community has fast earned a reputation as one of Europe's premier golf destinations. Home to three outstanding courses, the Spanish resort on the beautiful Costa Daurada coastline is a popular choice for European golfers looking to escape to sunnier climes, and with good reason.
It is home to European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, Laurie Canter, Andrea Pavan and Sam Horsfield are just a few of the well-known names to have graduated onto Europe’s premier circuit at Lumine, and the club is increasingly cementing its place as one of the continent’s best championship venues.
Following a standout 2018, the acclaimed Spanish resort is again looking forward to welcoming golfers from across Europe, with the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, the annual Festival of Golf and the Spanish Junior Championship all scheduled to be staged at Lumine in 2019.
At the heart of Lumine’s award-winning offering is the variety and challenge that the resort’s spectacular 45-holes provide. Beginning with Greg Norman’s Lakes Course, Lumine’s signature layout offers championship quality golf and the most technically difficult round of Lumine’s courses. The par-71 course was opened in 2008 with a pro-am hosted by Spanish professional Sergio Garcia, and offers a long but fair challenge, integrated seamlessly into the beautiful Mediterranean hills. As the name suggests, water is a regular hazard for golfers, and careful bunkering and undulating greens make Lumine Lakes course a standout experience.
Meanwhile, Lumine Hills undoubtedly gives players the most spectacular views from the resort, rolling through leafy woods of white pine and extensive plantations of olive and carob trees. The total length of the course stands at 6,334 metres, posing a real test to even the most accomplished golfer; but with a selection of tee options any level of golfer can be sure to enjoy their round.
The second Greg Norman design at Lumine is Ruins, offering golfers something different to its championship course companions. The exciting nine-hole layout weaves dramatically through Roman archaeological remains dating back to the second century BC. Ruins is a unique short course that will suit all levels of players and is ideal for those looking for a relaxed round in a fun and unique setting.
Located less than an hour south of Barcelona, close to the historic city of Tarragona, the venue is kick-starting the 2019 season with a significant investment into its golf and off-course facilities.
Among the major upgrades include a redesign of the Lumine Lakes clubhouse, which affords a truly exceptional position in the resort, floating on the water in front of the protected Sèquia Major natural space. In addition to creating a more open and welcoming area, guests will also be able to seamlessly check-in before their round with the addition of wireless technology.
Extending the golf and leisure experience, Lumine also boasts an impressive clubhouse attached to the Hills course, which affords the most privileged views and luxurious service. At dusk the house is bathed with the sun’s ochre colours, creating a warm atmosphere in which to sit back and enjoy views of the 18th hole.
Inside both clubhouses, visitors can take advantage of the extensive facilities including a gymnasium, large changing rooms, saunas and steam baths, as well as pro-shops and restaurants. At the Lakes clubhouse, you can even treat your senses to an open-air shower, amidst the Costa Daurada landscape.
For golfers looking to improve their game, Lumine is also home to a state-of-the-art Golf Performance Centre. The world-class practice facilities include access to top-level coaching from a PGA-certified instructor, a TaylorMade-certified custom golf club fitting process, and an extensive short game and wedge area.
For those looking to unwind away from the golf course, Lumine is proud to invite visitors to its luxury onsite beach club offering an authentic Mediterranean experience. The perfect place to unwind and relax after a day on the course, the ocean-front setting is complete with a series of tiered saltwater pools that overlook the stunning private beach and Mediterranean Sea that laps up onto the shores.
Head away from the resort and you will find some of Spain’s most alluring attractions. Just 10 minutes along the coast lies the ancient city of Tarragona. Home to one of the country’s most important Roman sites, the port city’s designated World Heritage sites are a must visit during your time at the resort.
Meanwhile, foodies will be treated to a gastronomic feast wherever they choose to travel in the region. Nowhere more so than picturesque Cambrils, which is located just a few minutes from Lumine and boasts a variety of fantastic restaurants and bars. It nestles between three wine regions, and golfers will also be afforded the chance to taste some of the finest wines in the world, rounding off a golfing retreat with a culture that you never thought possible on such a holiday.
Calle Carlsson Interview
An experienced general manager, Calle Carlsson’s career has taken him across the Middle East and Europe. He has now been in his current role at Lumine for eight years and during that time has overseen the destination’s evolution into its current position as one of Europe's premier golf destination. We spoke to Calle to find out what’s in the pipeline for the resort and what visiting golfers can expect in 2019…
Tell us about the career path to your current position as General Manager at Lumine?
I started my career as a teaching professional in Sweden at Askersunds Golf Club before going on to become Head Professional at Nora Golf Club. I then moved to Egypt and became Director of Golf at Stella Di Mare Golf and Country Club. After a good couple of years there I moved into a Director of Golf and Leisure role with JW Marriott in Cairo. It was after this position that I moved to Lumine, in December 2010, and I have now been here for over eight years.
Why do you think Lumine has become one of Spain’s most popular golf destinations?
Lumine stands out for many reasons. Firstly, it’s impossible to dispute the quality of the facilities, not only the three courses that we have on site but also the superb clubhouses at the Lakes and Hills courses. Our practices facilities are also first class, which is one of the reasons we’ve been able to host the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage so successfully.
We also pride ourselves on our customer service, which added to the prestige of having two Greg Norman-designed golf courses ensures that we remain extremely popular with golfers from across Europe.
On top of that, we also have the added bonus of our location on the Costa Daurada coastline. The area is spectacular, with beautiful beaches and the historic town of Tarragona just a few minutes away, so there’s always plenty to do off the course.
You’ve invested significantly in the golf courses this year. What changes should golfers expect to find?
We’re always looking to find new ways to improve and this year we’ve again decided to invest in the golf courses and to make some changes to further enhance our off-course facilities. We are in the process of re-designing the Lumine Lakes clubhouse entrance to create a more open and welcoming space and we will be expanding the retail area to afford customers more choice. Wireless check-in will also be a new addition in 2019.
What else is in the pipeline for 2019?
It’s going to be a very busy year for us. In addition to the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, we will also be hosting the Spanish Junior Championship and our annual Festival of Golf, which features one of the biggest gatherings of PGA professionals in Europe.
Lumine is close to some of Spain’s most historic and beautiful spots. What are your top recommendations for things to do away from the course?
Just 10 minutes along the coast you’ll find the ancient city of Tarragona, which is more than worth a visit. There are also many fantastic bars and restaurants in the surrounding towns of Salou, Cambrils, Vila Seca and La Pineda.
What does the future look like for Lumine in 10 years’ time?
Looking forward, we are aiming to have 2,000 properties built onsite, a beach hotel constructed, as well as a golf hotel located at Hills. We would also look to host at least one European Tour event.
Spring Getaway
Enjoying Lumine’s golf courses this spring is within the reach of people on all budgets. A package of four nights in a double room with breakfast, in a four-star hotel, plus three green fees and unlimited driving range balls, costs €395 per person. If you want five nights’ accommodation and five green fees, plus unlimited practice balls, the price is €675.
More information at: www.lumine.com/en/lumine-travel
