The inaugural Barcelona Golf Invitational presented by BOAT and Voly Group took place on 15-16 May 2024. The exclusive event welcomed esteemed yacht owners and captains to one of Spain's most prestigious golf resorts, Camiral Golf & Wellness, just outside Barcelona.
Over two days, guests enjoyed a full day of world-class golf as well as a cocktail reception, prize-giving, barbecue and after-party around Hotel Camiral's five-star pool.
There was also a chance to meet and test your golfing mettle against a very special guest: golfing pro and star of the European circuit, Ewen Ferguson, who invited fellow attendees to take part in some friendly competition in challenges such as The Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin.
Scottish international Ewen - ‘Ewbo’ to his friends - drew crowds at the 2015 Walker Cup for GB&I, making the leap to professional company a year later, before securing full playing rights on the DP World Tour for the 2021/2022 season.
Since then, Ewen has secured two DP World victories, winning both the Qatar Masters and the ISPS Handa World Invitational. In 2023, he was selected by Luke Donald to represent Team GB&I at the Hero Cup.
Ahead of the Invitational, we caught up with Glasgow-born Ewan to talk tournaments, talismans and tips for amateur golfers looking to improve their game.
How many championships have you played at Camiral?
I’ve played one championship there in 2022 and loved every second.
What are you looking forward to most about the Barcelona Golf Invitational?
I’m looking forward to playing some golf in the sun in a relaxed environment around a great golf course with plenty of banter along the way. Hopefully, I can give a few tips to some of the guys too!
What do you love about the Stadium course?
The course has really tight fairways so it's a very good test off the tee and the greens are usually very quick and pure. I hope everyone brings their A game!
Obviously, pro golf is all about perfecting your technique. But do you ever swing a club round a course and play just for fun?
Absolutely, I love golf and enjoy a round with my friends in a relaxed environment.
Are you superstitious before a game?
Not really, but I do use the same coin every round as a ball marker.
At a tournament, do you ever get nervous about being on the borderlines of the cut?
There are always a few nerves during tournament weeks, but it is mainly a mix of nervous energy and excitement. There's nothing quite like coming down the stretch in contention to win, but that’s why we put the hours in on the range.
Which course would you love to win a tournament at?
St Andrews, hands down. Ideally, the open championship, but the Dunhill links wouldn’t be bad either! Winning at home would be very special.
Who is your golfing icon and why?
Rory Mcllroy... I just think he's so cool and what he has done for this generation of young golfers is amazing. I also love his golf swing and the way he plays the game.
What advice would you give to amateur golfers looking to improve their game?
Don’t be embarrassed to take more club, spend more time practising chipping and putting than anyone else - that’s where you'll see the biggest improvement on scores.
Golfers at the Barcelona Golf Invitational will be invited to beat you at a certain set of golf challenges throughout the day - a daunting task! Any tips you can give them?
Absolutely not! As a professional sportsman I want to win EVERYTHING. Haha!