Back in 1994, Nash, along with eight others, participated in a British Chamber of Commerce Golf Day, an annual event which still takes place. They had so much fun that they decided to re-create the same kind of event every month, but opening it up to anyone who wanted to come along. Thus, the Sant Jordi Golf Society was born.
The club meets on the last Thursday of every month and organises an 18-hole tournament, followed by a three-course lunch and raffle draw. Over the years, the list of participants has grown tenfold, from eight to 80, although a typical tournament will see around 35 players take to the fairways. They have always had a healthy balance of locals to foreign residents (around 40 percent to 60 percent) with past participants hailing from 18 different countries including China, New Zealand, Portugal, France and the UK, as well as Spain and Catalunya. Although business is usually conducted in Castilian, English-only speakers should not be put off, as there is always someone on hand to translate.
Since the inaugural Sant Jordi tournament, Catalunya has enjoyed a rising profile in the world of golf. The New York Times, in 1997, ran a travel piece focussing on golf in the region, while in 2000, Catalunya was named emerging golf destination of the year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. But Nash still believes politicians are reluctant to capitalise on the region’s natural resources and fabulous weather. “I think it’s based on the idea of golf as an elite sport.”
The answer, he believes, is in making golf more accessible, with municipal golf courses and ‘pay and play’ options. “It’s a cheaper option and is a good alternative to being a member of an exclusive club.”
The Sant Jordi society operates a similar policy, allowing participants to opt-in, and only pay for each tournament they play. There are no membership fees, registration procedures, rules or regulations, and no one is ever turned down, said Nash. Those keen to participate simply need to contact him by telephone (details on next page) with their name, handicap and mobile number. He calls everyone on the list a few days before the tournament, which normally takes place at the Club de Golf Montanyá course. Sant Jordi members only meet for the tournaments and don’t generally practise together, although they do encourage the members on their list to free up all Thursdays at the beginning of the year. A day’s participation costs €42 for the green fee, €17 for lunch (prepared by a three-star Michelin chef), and eight euros toward the prizes. “No one goes home empty-handed,” according to Nash, who said that those who don’t place in the tournament’s top three can always try their hand at the raffle.
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