History

Every year since & before I arrived in Barcelona in late 1978 there had been a tradition for a group of English lads getting together to demonstrate their sporting prowess. Several present Sant Jordi members played cricket, some quite decently, others played squash, tennis, rugby and even field hockey. So it should come as no surprise that golf was also on the agenda.

There was a keenly fought British Society Tournament played over the old ‘EL Prat’ course near the airport and we also played at the delightful Vallromanes course. In July 1994, just after Montanya opened we played an event at Vallromanes and as usual we all has a great time, earning respectable prizes off impossible handicaps so at lunch, the subject arose between the ’founder members’ that it would be a good idea to do the tournament on a more frequent basis. Most of us agreed that this would be a good deal and we put the it to the’ table’*… It was decided that we should repeat the experience and Graham (Our Present Captain), who had been to play at Montanya as a guest of Ralph Griffin must get the credit for taking us there for the first time in August 1994. All of those present will remember the day well. Montanya was also brought to fame as the venue used in the Olympics in 92 for the cross country Equestrian event.

During the lunch break after a dampish round the heavens opened and left the course white with hail. We did finish though, unlike the second visit when rain and lightning called things to an end on the 17th hole and on the next occasion when torrential rain stopped us on the 9th. I can´t remember who won that inaugural event at Montanya, but prizes were aplenty, including an umbrella for the long drive which got me safely to the car.

* At the table were: (Of those presently actively participating in Sant Jordi): Graham Nash, Clive Callaghan, Dave Goss, Dave Minshaw, Jerome Scannell, Brian Annandale, Michael & Freddy, Witty, David English, Kevin Livsey, Keith Babes & Manuel Sastre . (Special thanks to Ralph Griffin for inviting Graham to play at Montanya)