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'S
WINTER 2020 [49]
ISSUE 13
LISBON’S WWW.EXCLUSIVEGOLFANDTRAVEL.CO.UK
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TRAVEL & BREAKS
8 PAGE SPECIAL GUIDE STARTS ON PAGE 25
Golf for a good cause
Charity tournament in France from
Normandy Charity Classic 18 June 2020
Now is a great time to plan your next golf break, so why not combine your love of golf with helping others? Take part in the Normandy Charity Classic, and enjoy some of the best courses in this delightful corner of France, along with some amazing aprés-golf. Organised in partnership with Normandy Tourism, this event will be raising money for Lord’s Taverners, helping young people with disabilities build their skills through sport.
£129
pp
• Return sailing from Portsmouth or Poole • A round of golf at a choice of 12 courses • Charity donation • Evening reception and awards presentation • Option to extend your stay before or after the event
Find out more at brittanyferries.com/golfclassic email golf.desk@brittanyferries.com or call 0330 159 5418 *Price based on people 4 people in a standard car and sharing a 4 berth cabin. For full terms and conditions, see website.
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PORTUGAL
NEW TROPHY SPRINGS UP AT AROEIRA
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olfers across the UK and Europe are being offered the chance to combine world-class golf with a stay at Lisbon's newest golf resort hotel this spring, by taking part in the inaugural Aroeira Golf Trophy. Taking place from May 20-24, the new event is organised by ORIZONTE - Lisbon's largest golf management company - and features golf at three of Lisbon's finest courses, together with the opportunity to experience the ultra-chic Aroeira Lisbon Hotel, which opened to widespread acclaim before Christmas. Played with a Stableford format, the tournament will see golfers of all abilities compete in a number of different categories over 54 holes
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for an array of top prizes, with two rounds being played at the 36-hole Aroeira Golf Resort and one at Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club. Event packages feature four nights' bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the four-star Aroeira Lisbon Hotel, with prices starting from â‚Ź498 per person (approx ÂŁ425), and include a welcome cocktail reception at the Aroeira Beach Club; a wine-tasting; a gala dinner and prize-giving ceremony; as well as tournament entry and practice balls. A venue for two Portuguese Opens, the Aroeira estate sits 25km south of the Portuguese capital and has a reputation for quality, with two widely-acclaimed 18-hole golf layouts - Aroeira I and II - located amid tranquil natural pine forest. Quinta do Peru Golf & Country
Club, also features a succession of verdant pines and astute bunkering while, nestling inside the Aroeira estate, lays the four-star Aroeira Lisbon Hotel. Boasting 68 bedrooms and suites, an outdoor pool, a spa and a choice of five bars and restaurants, the hotel also provides easy access to the many golden sandy beaches in the Costa Azul region. Aroeira and Quinta do Peru are both part of ORIZONTE, which offers the chance to play six of the leading courses in close proximity to Portugal's capital, together with exceptional value for money on a wide range of accommodation options across the Costa Azul region. For more details about the Aroeira Golf Trophy and ORIZONTE, visit www.orizontegolf.com
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NORMANDY CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC 2020
Golf Club du Champ de Bataille
TEE OFF TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Brittany Ferries Golf Desk has teamed up with some of Normandy’s best golf courses to launch a mass participation golf event to raise money for their charity partner, Lord’s Taverners.
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N
ow’s a great time to plan your next 2020 golf break, so why not combine your love of golf with helping others?
Take part in the Normandy Charity Golf Classic, and play on some of the best courses in this delightful corner of France, along with some fabulous après-golf! Organised by Brittany Ferries’ Golf Desk in partnership with Normandy Tourism, this mass participation event will be raising money for Lord’s Taveners – a charity working to empower disadvantaged and disabled young people to fulfil their potential and build life skills through sport. With premuim golf brands such as Callaway, Bushnell, Skechers and Q’aja Golf already pledging their support, the event already has some fantastic prizes helping to make this an trip to remember.
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BOOK YOUR PLACE
FROM ONLY
£129pp Brittany Ferries' Golf Desk, are hoping that lots of kind-hearted golfers will take part, and believe this event represents unbeatable value for money.
Golf Barrière de Deauville
The package includes: • Return sailings from Portsmouth or Poole with Brittany Ferries
Golf de Beuzeval
• Entry to stableford competition with teams of 4 playing simultaneously at some of the best courses in Normandy. • Early evening reception and prize ceremony • From* £129 per person
Golf de Caen
*Please note: ‘from’ prices are based on 4 people travelling in a standard car, sharing 4-berth cabin (on overnight sailings only) and sharing twin rooms at the hotel.
Why take part?
For sure you’ll be spending a day or more away with you golfing buddies having fun and playing golf in a lovely part of the world. But you’ll also be raising funds to help disadvantaged youngsters to engage in grass roots sport and recreational activities.
EXTEND YOUR STAY Want to upgrade or extend your stay before or after the event?
A message from the Lord’s Taverners We create a range of opportunities for young people with a disability and those from deprived areas to engage in sport and recreational activities in their local communities. Our programmes support some of the most marginalised and at-risk young people in the UK. We are passionate about helping to create more opportunities for young people to take part in sport
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and recreation, through the continued expansion of our programmes and further investment in vital facilities and equipment - helping to build inclusive communities and laying the foundations for a positive future. For more on how your participation can help, please visit: www.lordstaverners.org /how-we-help/
Just contact the Golf Desk to discuss your requirements.
Tel: 0330 159 5418
FIND OUT MORE & RESERVE YOUR PLACE CLICK HERE
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ITALY
ANTOGNOLLA GOLF GEAR UP FOR NEW SEASON
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ntognolla Golf are gearing up their promotional drive for visitng golfers this year. This follows a highly successful major renovation of the golf course and investment into a new driving range, a superb hospitality experience and a team who will ensure guests receive a warm welcome with a high quality level of service. César Burguière, Golf Director for Antognolla added “Antognolla is a rare find and is everything you love about golf in Italy in one mesmerizing location. A course which has for all intents and purposes been flying under the radar of the International Golf Traveller, but which has just undergone a multi-million Euro update by Robert Trent Jones Jr as well as big accommodation plans. Golf and gastronomy collide to deliver an outstanding golfing holiday experience which will appeal to
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all golfing markets. The Ryder Cup has also woken the Italian golf tourism industry, so we are capitalizing on this global event which will see Italy at the forefront of European Golf in 2022.” Originally conceived by renowned designer Robert Trent Jones Jr, Antognolla Golf has recently been subject to a multi-million euro investment under the supervision of original course architect Trent Jones Jr, making it an exciting, satisfying and importantly a must play course for golfers of all abilities. Antognolla offers a golfing experience rarely found and is on track to be one of the premier courses in mainland Europe. With very good flight access and stunning golf in this, a truly undiscovered Italian region, Antognolla can become the goto choice for discerning golfers looking for their next Italian golfing adventure
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Alongside the golf course, a new chapter is being written, as the castle and estate are being transformed into an exclusive international resort. Featuring a luxury hotel as well as a limited number of sumptuous residences, the project is one of the first of its kind in Italy. Integrating new building of the highest standards with historic original architecture and an unspoilt natural environment, Antognolla represents a unique marriage of authentic, ancient Umbria, with ultra-modern comfort and luxury.
VISIT WEBSITE
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From only
£245.00 Per Person*
EXPERIENCE GOLF IN DEVON & CORNWALL
TAVISTOCK GOLF CLUB
YELVERTON GOLF CLUB
BOVEY CASTLE
2 Nights B&B - 3 Rounds of Golf at Bovey Castle, Tavistock & Yelverton DEVONANDCORNWALLGOLFBREAKS.COM
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GOLF TEAM ON 01822 618181 ISSUE 13
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PORTUGAL
WEST CLIFFS A SMASH HIT WITH EURO GOLFERS
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olfers across Europe have given their overwhelming approval to West Cliffs Golf Links after voting Cynthia Dye’s layout as their favourite golf course in Portugal – and the one offering the best value for money.
Francisco Cadete, director of golf at West Cliffs and Praia D’El Rey, said: “It’s fantastic to receive these two accolades, and the great thing about them is that they have been voted for by the people that count the most – the golfers.
Dye’s stunning links-style course, which is managed by Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort and opened less than three years ago, was the number one choice of members in the Golfhäftet Awards 2020, which were voted for by thousands of players all over the continent.
“We knew West Cliffs was going to be special when we were creating it and it has started to fulfil its potential in a very short space of time. People have very quickly taken it to their hearts and we’re looking forward to it getting even better as it develops and matures.”
More than 87,000 votes were cast in the awards, with courses being marked in three categories – overall golf experience, quality of golf course and standard of facilities.
Based in Sweden, Golfhäftet is an innovative membership scheme offering golfers preferential rates at more than 950 participating golf courses in 15 European countries including Spain, Portugal, Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, the UK and Ireland.
And there was further good news for Praia D’El Rey with the resort’s other 18-hole championship layout being ranked second behind West Cliffs in 8
the poll for Portugal’s favourite course.
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www.praia-del-rey.com | www.westcliffs.com ISSUE 13
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Q’aja is known for bringing together quality fabrics and flamboyant design to create trousers and polos that move in the right places, giving the fashion and figure conscious golfers a great look that transcends from the course to the 19th hole effortlessly. Tony ‘The Tailor’ is responsible for the conception of the brand and establishing it in the golf world as cutting edge apparel. It was Tony’s unique approach to golf fashion that captured the attention of Darren Clarke, a partnership that made Darren recognisable as much for his apparel as his golf! Q’aja bespoke is worn by world class athletes, celebrities and businessmen across the world.
£20 O F F Y O U R F IR S T £ 1 0 0 SP EN D U S E CODE: QAJ A2 0
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NEWS
COVID-19 DAMPENS GOLF TOURISM FORECAST
T
ourist boards and golf tourism suppliers in areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak are being urged not to cut funding and to be prepared to invest money into promoting golf travel as soon as confidence returns to the market. The recommendation comes from Peter Walton, Chief Executive of global golf tourism organisation IAGTO, which has just released its fifth annual golf tourism survey. According to Walton, strong performances all around in 2019 and healthy forward bookings for 2020 “now have to be set against the cloud of the Covid-19 outbreak
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in China which has had an impact beyond its borders”. At the beginning of January, golf courses, hotels and golf resorts throughout Asia reported that their forward bookings for golf visitor arrivals were up, on average, by 4.4% compared to the same time the previous year. IAGTO’s 64 member golf tour operators in China performed well in 2019, with vacations booked by Chinese golfers up 7.4% and forward bookings for 2020 up 5.3% year on year. However, within a few weeks of this data being gathered, all sectors of the tourism industry in most Asian countries were impacted at least to some extent from specific markets, either as a result of travel
restrictions in instances or due to a general reluctance to travel. IAGTO’s Walton notes: “While golf tourism is not immune to global or regional crises – be they economic, security, environmental or health by nature – we have seen over the past two decades that golf travel bounces back quicker than most other tourism industry sectors once the risk or fear has run its course. “A downturn in visitor arrivals often goes hand in hand with a tightening of belts, but our advice to suppliers and tourist boards in regions affected by Covid-19 is to ensure that promotional funds be readily available the moment that confidence returns to the market. Don’t get caught unprepared or with insufficient funds if normality returns sooner than expected.”
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UNITED KINGDOM
TEWKESBURY PARK IS FASTEST-RISING IN RESORTS TOP 100
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F
ive star family-run golf hotel Tewkesbury Park is the fastest-rising in the new Top 100 Golf Resorts in GB & Ireland, published every two years by Golf World magazine. It leapt from #84 in the previous rankings, to #57 in this year’s list, a rise of 27 places – well ahead of any other resort. Tewkesbury Park was also named among GB & Ireland’s Top 30 Luxury Golf Resorts in the Top 100 feature, which appears in the January 2020 issue of the magazine. The news follows soon after Tewkesbury Park was named among Britain’s Top 100 Hotels by The Sunday Times, in October 2019 – an accolade shared by just three other British golf resorts, including Gleneagles. After being named the UK & Ireland’s Best Hotel for Weddings, Parties and Special Occasions by publishers Condé Nast Johansens in late 2018, and listed in National Club Golfer magazine’s Top 100 GB & I Golf Resorts rankings in early 2019, Tewkesbury Park has quickly become one of the UK’s most acclaimed golf resorts after its recent £10m refurbishment programme. “To gain such recognition so quickly after our relaunch is a source of great pride for the team here” said Tewkesbury Park’s General Manager, Patrick Jones. “The McIntosh family has transformed Tewkesbury Park in the last five years, and their passion for golf is obvious to every visitor who comes here. “Golfers often remark, after staying here, how ISSUE 13
refreshing it is to be at a truly independent hotel, where everything from the rooms to the food to the staff is presented in a uniquely Tewkesbury Park way. “It’s hard to describe, so the best thing is for golfers and their friends to come and see for themselves. Our golf course, prepared by Paul Hathaway and his team, features some of the best greens in the west of England, and we are a PGA tournament venue in 2020” At the resort’s heart is The Deerpark, a 6,554 Par 72 golf course designed by Frank Pennink on a 200acre site adjacent to the town’s historic War Of The Roses battlefields. In 2016 it was refurbished by Peter McEvoy OBE, the unbeaten GB&I Walker Cup team Captain and amateur golf icon who turned to golf course design, working with world-class golf agronomists Turfgrass. With two golf courses, 93 bedrooms including nine luxurious historic suites which offer the ultimate in comfort, plus comprehensive leisure and spa facilities, two restaurants including the highly-rated Mint, and versatile meeting spaces for up to 200 people, Tewkesbury Park is the complete golf resort, offering golf breaks with distinction in a perfect balance of memorable golf, memorable food and memorably different accommodation. WWW.EXCLUSIVEGOLFANDTRAVEL.CO.UK
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SPAIN
LA FINCA TOP FOR GOLF AND GASTRONOMY
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n extensive renovation project has been undertaken by the management team at Spanish destination La Finca Resort as they aim to enhance the venue’s reputation as the very best golf resort in Costa Blanca. The work includes a revamp of the five-star Hotel and the opening of Jardines La Finca Restaurant, which serves the very finest in Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of designer style. Two new restaurants and a winery will also be opened later this year as La Finca Resort builds upon its reputation as a true gastronomic hub; Frijolino, a Mexican Italian hybrid restaurant is set to open in the summer, followed soon afterwards by Misto Grillhouse, while the Bodega La Finca winery will open its doors in autumn. In recognition of its already superb facilities, La Finca Resort was named 'Spain's Best Golf Hotel' at the 2019 World Golf Awards which reward excellence in golf tourism around the world. The award ceremony, popularly referred to as the golf Oscars, was attended by the world’s golf tourism elite and followed La Finca Resort’s accolade of 'Spain's Leading Sports Resort’ at the World Travel Awards in June. La Finca Resort has built a reputation as a go-to destination for golfers thanks to its three prestigious
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golf courses: La Finca, Villamartín and Las Ramblas, each of which are currently in the second year of a three-year course enhancement project. Villamartín opened in 1972 and hosted the European Tour’s Mediterranean Open in 1994, while Las Ramblas was opened in 1991 and La Finca has developed into a benchmark golf course in the province since opening in 1992. The facilities at the resort include the five-star hotel with 120 guest rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a stunning conservatory next to the garden with space for 350 people, and a first-class racquet area with both tennis and paddle courts. In 2019, work was undertaken to renovate half of the hotel rooms in partnership with a prestigious interior design company to modernise the décor. The hotel facilities also include the newly renovated, luxury spa (with a gym, water circuits, and massage and treatment rooms) and several cocktail bars and cafeterias, along with the wide choice of restaurants which are set to be introduced this year. Commenting on the future plans for La Finca Resort, Brendan Dwyer (General Manager) said “We are on a continuous journey to enhance our offering at La Finca Resort and put the venue on the map as the very best golf resort and pinnacle of golfing tourism in Costa Blanca.
www.lafincaresort.com ISSUE 13
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LINKS GOLF AT ITS BEST ENGLAND’S ATLANTIC LINKS, A COLLECTION OF SIX ANCIENT CHAMPIONSHIP LINKS COURSES IN SOUTH WEST ENGLAND PACKAGES WITH
PACKAGES WITH
1 NIGHT B&B AND 2 ROUNDS OF GOLF
2 NIGHTS B&B AND 3 ROUNDS OF GOLF
FROM £135.00pp
FROM £205.00pp
LEGENDARY LINKS ESTABLISHED AS ONE OF
ENGLAND’S PREMIER GOLFING DESTINATIONS
CONTACT 01822 618181 EMAIL SALES@ATLANTICLINKSGOLFTOUR.COM
www.atlanticlinksgolftour.com
*Prices correct as of 1st Jan 2020, any increases by the courses or hotels could alter these prices. Based on twin/double rooms & travel during April to September. 18
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ITALY
LADIES ONLY ‘GOLF & YOGA’ AT ARGENTARIO
T
he Argentario Golf Resort & Spa in south west Tuscany has introduced two ‘Golf & Yoga’ retreats in 2020 that are aimed specifically at lady golfers and beginners who are just taking up the game which will take place from March 18 to 22 and May 11 to 15 this year. In addition to yoga classes every morning, the experienced golfers will benefit from daily tee times over Argentario’s championship course as well as access to the Resort’s extensive training facilities and driving range whilst the beginner golfers will be given two hours of golf coaching per day and unlimited access to the training facilities with unlimited
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range tokens. Golf professional, Kasia ‘Kate’ Selwent, will run the coaching sessions throughout the five-day package whilst experienced teacher, Mariah Noelle, will lead the yoga lessons. The rates per person for the ‘Golf & Yoga’ package, based on two people sharing a room, are priced from Euros 949.00 for a four-night stay for the experienced golfers whilst the beginners will pay Euros 879.000 for the four nights. Those on the ‘Yoga & Golf ’ package will be welcomed to the Resort at a three-course dinner where they can get to know their fellow guests whilst the extensive MediaSPA and Espace Wellness and Health Centre on site will be the ideal place to relax and unwind after the exertions of yoga and golf on a daily basis. Other
activities that can be undertaken at the 5-star Argentario include swimming in the outdoor and indoor pools, tennis, padel, mini football and jogging on different trails set out on the property whilst the Resort also offers two restaurants, the Dama Dama and the Club House, where guests can enjoy healthy, local Tuscan cuisine prepared from locally-sourced produce in stylish, yet comfortable surroundings. For those who wish to explore the surrounding area of the Maremma, the hotel concierge can arrange a visit to a local Tuscan village one evening for dinner. Argentario is easily accessed from Rome Fiumicino airport which is just a 90 minute drive away.
www.argentarioresort.com
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thebucketlist VISIT WEBSITE
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PORTHMADOG GOLF CLUB MORFA BYCHAN, PORTHMADOG, GWYNEDD, WALES Situated in Morfa Bychan, 3 miles away from the harbour town of Porthmadog the course was established in 1905 by James Braid, the genius course designer of his day. It is a traditional links course, friendly, challenging and not to be missed. The front nine is predominantly heathland and the back nine links, with stunning views of the Cardigan Bay coastline and Snowdonia mountain range.
PORTHMADOG GOLF BREAK PLAY 2 ROUNDS OF GOLF AT PORTHMADOG & ROYAL ST DAVIDS STAYING - 1 NIGHT AT THE ROYAL SPORTSMAN HOTEL
PRICES FROM ONLY £149pp VIEW PACKAGE
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A NEW KIND OF SPORTING EXPERIENCE 22
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Stay and Play in Columbia Green Jacket Tour
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3 Nights 1 Round of Golf Sunday Masters Badge
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4 Nights 1 Round of Golf Thursday Masters Badge Friday Masters Badge Friday Hospitality
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Georgia Masters Packages Practice Rounds
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Enjoy the Springtime splendour of Augusta with 2 days at The Masters and 2 rounds of golf on top local golf courses. Be sure to bring your camera for those all important Augusta National photos.
Be there for the start, be there for the climax and enjoy some golf of your own in the middle. This is a great chance to see honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player get proceedings underway on Thursday.
Don’t miss a minute of the action as you enjoy all four tournament days at Augusta National and the Champion slide on his Green Jacket on Sunday whilst enjoying all that Augusta has to offer during Masters Week.
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The Golfers Tour The perfect match between playing on top local courses and sampling all the action from Augusta. The six night stay really enables you to get a feel for the atmosphere during Masters Week and enjoy all that it has to offer. Many of our guests also like to upgrade their golf on Wednesday to a Masters Badge and take in the famous Par 3 contest. • 6 Nights • 3 Rounds of Golf • Friday Masters Badge • Sunday Masters Badge • Sunday Hospitality VIEW PACKAGE
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T: 0115 6847780 WWW.EXCLUSIVEGOLFANDTRAVEL.CO.UK
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NEWS • INTERVIEWS • FEATURES • EQUIPMENT • TRAVEL • DESTINATIONS GUIDES • COURSE GUIDES • PRODUCT REVIEWS • AND MUCH MORE . . . INTERVIEW | WINTER 2020
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HIS ■ MCILROY WILL BE HOPING TO REIGNITE MAJOR CAREER AT THE 2020 MASTERS
own quite always work. Everyone’s got their anticipation priorities. Some sports feed off the their big created by having large gaps between others are events, and longer off-seasons, while tell what will more ‘bang, bang, bang’. Time will work best for golf.
What did it mean to you to be voted Tour player of the year?
PGA
I think that it’s one of the greatest compliments like you’ve you can receive; for your peers to feel I was very done something pretty special, so honoured to receive that award. into I think it says a lot about what I’ve put of the this year, and it kind of vindicated some of the decisions that I made at the beginning choices about season. I had to make some tough and I know where and when I was going to play, and sponsors tournament of lot a had to let down make those a lot of fans, but I knew that I had to the best decisions if I was going to give myself chance of playing my best golf.
majority of So do you think that playing the improve your season in the States helped your consistency?
■ MISSING THE CUT AT THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT PORTRUSH HIT MCILROY HARD
the majors, to a pretty successful career. And in 25 we get four chances a year. I play around to play tournaments a year, so I think if I continue chances the golf that I’m playing, I’ll have more to win majors. week, and It’s about how you play that given going perhaps about having a couple of things feel like your way, breaks here and there. I don’t play well. You you can pinpoint certain weeks to week that you try and play consistently well every your fall to tee it up, and some weeks it’s going way, and some weeks it isn’t. standard I think if I continuing to play this good win more of golf I’ll have plenty of chances to memories majors. I’ve certainly got a lot of great me in a to draw on, so hopefully that will put if and when better position to take advantage of I’m in contention.
MY PERFORMANCES THIS YEAR HAVE VINDICATED IN MY DECISION TO BASE MYSELF AMERICA FOR LONGER PERIODS where I’m at, and then we go again.
the new How do you think you adjusted to along in a schedule, with the majors coming four-month stretch?
to playing that It’s been quite tough. I’m not used time. I used to much golf in such a short period of of weeks off, play a couple weeks, take a couple I played play another couple weeks, but I think during the 13 tournaments in a 16-week stretch and it’s middle of this year. So it’s a lot of golf, used to. something we’re going to have to get next That’s going to be even more compacted and the year, when you throw in the Olympics Ryder Cup. but there perfect, means no by is The schedule in the game are so many different stakeholders won’t that’s it not surprising that some things
majors, Apart from winning some more to be a is getting back to world No.1 going priority for you in 2020?
or ninth in Yeah, look, I started this year eighth to play so the world, so to see that progress, and has been well, and get myself back up to No.2, into next satisfying. I have a great platform going months off in year, but I’m going to take a couple goals, assess December and January to reset my
where I now Yeah, I do. Basing myself in Florida, not having live, for the majority of the time and helped for to travel too far from there definitely certainly a the first few months of the year. It’s be more or schedule that works for me, and I’ll or take a less sticking to that next season, give Irish Open for few events. I don’t want to miss the has moved to two years running, so now that that the trip the end of May, I’ll definitely be making back over to play at Mount Juliet. to treat Schedule aside, I set out this season to feel want didn’t I and same, every week the some like I was putting less importance on I treated events and more importance on others. week of the every event like it was the biggest seen year for me, and I think that’s why you’ve there been the improved consistency. I’ve never anyone but to make up the numbers or satisfy my focus helped really has that and myself, performances.
didn’t have Were you disappointed that you title? a chance to win the Race to Dubai No. I’ve won it three times. It’s a wonderful played feeling to be able to do it, but I hadn’t to have enough counting European Tour events Bernd a chance. When look at someone like it is, Wiesberger, who played 25 or 26, whatever be up there those are the guys that deserved to with a chance to win.
THE LATEST GOLF NEWS BY THE UK’S TOP GOLF WRITERS START VIEWING HERE NEWS | APRIL
2019
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FEATURE | APRIL
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Ultimate | NEWS [30] APRIL 2019
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HAMPSHIRE AYRSHIRE
CLUB Y WHERE TO PLA
GUIDE
HOCKLE Y GC
which means g chalk downland, on free-drainin ed Hockley is built James Braid-design all year round. The the top with it remains playable before reaching gently up a valley south towards course meanders Winchester and across the city of stunning views £29pp. the coast. green fees from from £39pp. Visitor Society packages 01962 713165 Available. Tel: Packages p Membershi kleygolfclub.com Email: admin@hoc ygolfclub.com www.hockle Website:
(GLASGOW GC)has hosted 32 GAILES LINKS Ayrshire links course,
from Gailes Links, a classic Open Final Qualifying since 1927, including Park Jnr, championships designed by Willie course, which was include 2014-2017. The while other facilities play all year round, shop and is available for ary golf balls, pro with compliment a practice range room. in its superb dining rate home-cooked food May-Sept fourball £200, Singles £55; visit April fourball rate: 01294 311561 or call For bookings, £380, Singles £100. www.gaileslinks.co.uk
HERTFORDSHIRE
AYRSHIRE HAMPSHIRE
CLUB club, set in an area PETERSFIELD GOLF is an 18-hole members
Club Downs. Petersfield Golf beneath the South beauty, nestling of outstanding through delightful par 72 course meanders acres The 6,437-yard, It is built on 170 outstanding views. drainage, USGA countryside with which affords excellent offers of sandstone beds, draining fairways, coupled with free designed greens, lfclub.co.uk all-year round play. manager@petersfieldgo Email: 895165 Tel: 01730 fieldgolfclub.co.uk Website: www.peters
GOLF CLUB CLANDON REGISyards off the back tees, the course has
6485 round. In With par of 72 and playable all year or greens and is ive practice no temporary tees are comprehens fine course, there addition to the range with practice a full length driving indoor facilities, including chipping area and putting green and bunker, a practice practice nets. Tel: 01483 224888 lfclub.co.uk donregis-go Email: office@clan nregisgolfclub.co.uk Website: www.clando
CONFERENCE CENTRE
& a rural y within Aston, is located convenientl A10. Sevenage G&CC of both the A1 and within easy distance by John part of Stevenage course designed par-72, 18-hole requires Home to a superb par-4 18th that hole is the tricky for Jacobs, the signature is a perfect venue a lake. The clubhouse , and there are a second shot over and other celebrations golf societies, weddings facilities. conference superb s@sll.co.uk. Email: luke.simkin Tel: 01438 880424 uk Website: www.sll.co.
STEVENAGE GOLF
ome Golf days welc week seven days a
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this year, is a is 125 years old Puttenham, which heathland mature woodland/ picturesque and g. The greens test of shot-makin the best course and a great of being some of facilities, also have the reputation clubhouse has excellent d golf in the county. The rooms, a well-stocke area. with modern changing bar and restaurant shop and a welcoming practice driving range, a 300-yard a have also We greens. practice putting bunker and two
TIM COOMBES, DIRECTOR
OF GOLF, PUTTENHA
M GOLF CLUB, SURREY
YOU BEEN A PGA ■ HOW LONG HAVE Professional I have been a PGA PROFESSIONAL? over 30 years. since 1988, so just TO DATE? CAREER PATH BEEN l ■ WHAT HAS YOUR PGA Professiona assistant under I started as a young moved at Silvermere; then Doug McClelland and then Golf Centre in 1991, I onto Hoebridge coach and player. 1994 as a full-time 1998. I've Windlesham in l at Chobham in moved became Head Professiona 2012, and in 2015 since Puttenham been at office to and into the club out of the pro shop manager. assistant the become ROLE AT THE CLUB? ■ WHAT IS YOUR and print marketing, the club’s digital I organise all of I have a golf shop operation. and oversee the legislation revenue generation, ion, responsibility for club office administrat compliance, general , and act as the club membership recruitment manager is away. the general manager when
ATTRACT CLUB DOING TO ■ WHAT IS THE Our former WOMEN GOLFERS? JUNIORS AND as our new just volunteered club chairman has to launch regular He is very keen junior organiser. addition to our for our juniors, in activity sessions by our club sessions conducted Saturday coaching free junior also currently offer orofessional. We en under children and grandchildr at membership to and are looking members, adult the age of 16 of n for all other juniors. reducing the subscriptio SHOP? WELL IN THE PRO this year ■ WHAT’S SELLING , it’s our 125th anniversary range As I mentioned a milestone we launched and to mark this a special club accessories with by the of clothing and been very well supported crest which has
M HEATH ■ PUTTENENHA 125TH CELEBRATES ITS YEAR ANNIVERSARY THIS
membership.
YOUR JOB? BEST THING ABOUT ■ WHAT’S THE days are the same. of the work – no two The varied nature
Summer Golf Days
MOOR
from £26 per player
Special GolfNew
from £39 s Readers Package
per player
IN GOLF, CHANGE ONE RULE ■ IF YOU COULD IT BE? WHICH ONE WOULD a couple of years me that question If you had asked marks, but tapping down spike ago I would said the 2019 rules addressed with now that has been mind. However, major springs to changes, nothing drop. of the new knee-high I’m not a huge fan
UK? COURSE IN THE fortunate
FAVOURITE ■ WHAT’S YOUR Course. I have been Sunningdale’s Old times and they played it several enough to have
2019 [44] AUTUMN
Golfin’ in Dublin
Nick Faldo. His GOLFING HERO? ■ WHO IS YOUR strength was for detail, and mental l. dedication, eye a young PGA Professiona an inspiration to GOLF? YOU TO TAKE UP ■ WHO INSPIRED suffering from 13 and had been My father. I was cricket at a playing too much a knee injury from up all sport until meant I had to give young age. This my father took my 14th birthday I was fit again. On told me I had been public course and me to the local We hired two halfgolf if I wanted. cleared to play par-3 course went out onto their sets of clubs and they say. rest is history, as for 9 holes. The
for Guinness, I have a fondness whisky is erhaps it’s because what a single malt as but don’t understand it over Scotland Ireland just edges slipping all about, that with my game destination. And at my favourite golf ever more loudly my body protests further south as a club, the generally the effort to swing bogeys and having to make of the Irish to double attitude more relaxed limited ambition. nity to es with my own
P
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T BOASTS TWO ■ POWERSCOUR LAYOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
15 minutes down t pulled it off. Just Remarkably, Powerscour terrific courses, blessed with two challenge. the road and similarly to meet the impossible Powerscour t rose mountains and views up to the is a lot With similar striking sea, the East course glimpses of the occasional rare is no less of a challenge. Druids Glen but it has a more rugged than McEvoy, Peter Cup player par fours. Designed by Walker and fives and 14 feel of four par threes traditional mix and the distinctive hole among them striking There’s not a weak them all by the bestowed upon of mature parkland grandeur. the to adds the specimen trees two inland tracks if not quite tamed, my game Having tackled, sea level and test to drop down to time had come has a majesty and dunes. Links golf of among the mighty at the first whiff sets the pulse racing are that Bay authenticity around Dublin the clutch of courses salty sea air and k superb. by both Portmarnoc been beaten up Having previously for a couple of fresh Dublin, I opted about. The Links and Royal tissue to worry no mental scar it could challenges with all but it looks like the isn’t an island at Island Golf Club of the world where part this in enough blurred. be and that’s good and fantasy is thoroughly links is located the line between fact Malahide, of village the of Overlooked by on the east coast stunning dunes golf in some of the most one of the oldest in 1890, it is also Ireland. Founded ranked 13th in Golf and was recently international courses in Ireland It enjoys an enviable 100. Top The for Digest Ireland’s regional qualifying currently hosts reputation and co-hosted the strokeplay hip and this year no Open Champions It’s fabulous and British Amateur. back qualifying for the will want to come you struggle, you matter how hard for more. on an island and St Anne’s is actually Unlike The Island, neighbour of Royal . An immediate to 18 is a lot less threatening only extended in 1921, but was Dublin, it was founded a redesign in 2003 underwent It ‘wow’ years ago. the same those wonderful holes about 30 was opened in elevation to provide lly, it’s new clubhouse enjoy sufficient and, coincidenta a course and an impressive of a feature on threes are gorgeous too, par something The are Flowers, moments. stunners. views out to year. Plateau greens and where the at that are the stand-out nature reserve t water features the 12th at both which adjoins a magnificent. both while the magnificen I said this mountains are are common to Don’t tell anyone sea and up to the simply magical. because it Druid’s Glen are to Augusta but, other tailor-made be invited back this trip, and many me. on for it because I’ll never details edges more hoiceireland.com, For feel, Druid’s Glen Ireland, visit www.clubc has a more natural your playing partner 1490. golf packages to or call 0800 285 onto the tee after hoiceireland.com Rather like stepping centre of the fairway, email info@clubc drive down the is to follow. has belted a 340-yard lt act Druids Glen
embarking on a the high seas before 's capital city Clive Agran hits the Republic of Ireland golfing tour around
were special days.
O O R PA R K O L F AT M SOCIETY G onship venue 36 hole champi
2019
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FOURBALL? BE IN YOUR DREAM ■ WHO WOULD Nicklaus. Woods and Jack Nick Faldo, Tiger IF YOU YOU HAVE DONE I ■ WHAT WOULD would like to think BEEN A PRO? I HADN’T HAVE a professional cricketer. would have been
YOUR WORDS WOULD ■ WHAT THREE TO DESCRIBE YOU? COLLEAGUES USE up with manager to come I asked the general as ‘enthusiastic, he described me three words and so I’ll take that! thorough and generous’, FACILITIES G ABOUT THE ■ TELL US SOMETHIN EXPERIENCE AND THE PLAYING
PA R K WWW.EXCLUSIVEGOLFANDTRAVEL.CO.UK and 18 holes. bacon baps on arrival Including coffee and Goes Free 1 in 20 Players
YOU’VE EVER BEST SWING TIP ■ WHAT’S THE I remember a I was about 18, RECEIVED? When in my right knee to maintain flex coach telling me quite tall and when backswing. I am throughout my stable as they legs were not as I was young my difference to my It made a huge the ball. should have been. the distance I struck balance and ultimately T AS A CAREER HIGHLIGH Tour ■ WHAT IS YOUR the final of the European PLAYER? Reaching Massane in France. School in 1994 at
S MONARCH EN OF THE GL
of Golf, Gary Silcock, les Hotel's Director Cup, up with The Gleneag along for September’s Solheim s Golf News catches coming venue’s iconic King’ preparations are renovations to the to find out how in 2019 n on the recent e their centenary and get the lowdow , which celebrat and Queen’s courses
before the six months to go You’ve got under Centenary off on the PGA Solheim Cup tees preparations going? the Course. How are of weather over had a decent run Very well. We’ve that some the storms and snow winter, and avoided weeks. experienced in recent parts of the country grass growth is sea level here, so We’re 700 feet above areas, but it’s all than lower lying always slightly slower all in great shape far. The courses are looking good so the matches. excited about hosting and we’re really taking Cup Junior Solheim We’ve also got the week, and the Course in the same and place on the King’s our hotel guests will be open for Queen’s Course in lots of volunteer have had to draft members, so we those tournament help out during greenkeepers to but will have have a staff of 50, weeks. We normally during that week. it’s over 100 in total up until July, but s won’t be going so the The grandstand as the Ryder Cup, scale same the not on quite stands around quite so long. The set up won’t take 3,000 people, probably seat around the first tee will noise! still be plenty of expect there will
Braid classics? these two James authenticity of Gleneagles right The history and we went new thinking, and underpinned our the courses, at old pictures of back and looked designed the courses and how Braid originally consulted with to play. We also and wanted them they viewed the understand how our members to link, and There was a common golf experience. plan that detailed a by creating it was clear that across the bunker enhanced would see every see both we would not only King’s and Queen’s, vision, but also to Braid’s original courses restored playing quality. significantly improve layout through classic heathland The Queen’s is a to re-establish this and we wanted heather and trees of the King’s, it back at the history fact. Also, looking and, as such, as an inland links, was originally created – in line with seaside fairways to 8mm we now cut the more shots along that you can play links courses, so more. the ball runs out the ground, and three courses, bunker across all We re-lined every and the used on the King’s with capillary concrete us to align the It has also allowed Queen’s courses. Braid on the of vision the back to look of the bunkers King’s and Queen’s. ‘glimpse’ of to offer golfers a Braid wanted bunkers aesthetically challenging and sand, while remaining achieved this, now We’ve eye. pleasing to the were meant to back to how they bringing the courses be seen and played. were Braid’s bunkers It is also worth noting summer on the courses supporting based originally original design them back to his nd, is a play only, so to bring them playable all-year-rou concept, and make t. huge achievemen the fairways led us to change The bunker work have fairway too. We no longer back to Braid’s vision are now in play the rough; they bunkers sitting in in some which, in the fairways, and they are sitting wider. This is great made 40 per cent cases, have been they are now because golfer, news for the amateur making the away from the rough, Having effectively further more enjoyable. whole playing experience also run into fairway will now said that, golf balls to stop them. the rough used bunkers – before and both out some trees, We’ve also taken to them, more open feel courses have a slightly have been in to how they would again, harking back Braid’s day.
on, it’s that has been going Given all the work to come and been a better time probably never . play at Gleneagles , but very have three world-class For sure. We now – something to offer visitors different, golf courses Isles. A lot unique to the British that is probably stay here to play that you need to of people think to our members priority give we do visitor here, but while very much welcome
ISSUE 13
■ THE KING'S AND QUEEN'S COURSES A HAVE UNDERGONE TO MAJOR RENOVATION THE RETURN THEM TO STYLE THAT COURSE BRAID DESIGNER JAMES ORIGINALLY INTENDED
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LISBON'S Golf Coast
PRAIA D’EL REY Photography Peter Corden
Europe's new golfing capital
If you’re looking to combine a relaxing golf break with a visit to one of Europe’s most vibrant capital cities, then Lisbon’s Golf Coast is the place to go
S P E C I A L ISSUE 13
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■ THE STUNNING PAR-THREE 14TH AT OITAVOS DUNES
CAPITAL CHOICES
■ GOLF DO ESTORIL
Drive just a few miles along the coast west of central Lisbon and you’ll discover half a dozen excellent golf courses to enjoy, as well as the must-visit towns of Sintra and Cascais 1. QUINTA DA MARINHA Located close to the pretty coastal town of Cascais, a 35-minute drive from Lisbon, Quinta da Marinha has featured prominently on golfing itineraries to the region ever since it first opened in the mid-80s, thanks to its firstclass accommodation and quality golf. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones, the course hosted numerous tournaments in its early life, including Senior, LET and Challenge Tour events, although it is eminently playable for the holiday golfer, with generous fairways and receptive greens mixed in with the odd water hazard and some wonderful views over the seas. Re-routed in 2016, the course features cleverly located bunkering, raised greens with tight, sloping shoulders, and several fiendish dog-legs. After a round, golfers can relax in the five-star, on-site hotel, which offers 198 rooms and suites and 40 villas, and an excellent choice of bars and restaurants. quintadamarinha.com
■ QUINTA DA MARINHA IS A MUSTPLAY COURSE ON ANY TRIP TO LISBON
2. GOLF DO ESTORIL Estoril’s superb 18-hole course is located in one of Europe’s oldest established tourist resorts and boasts wonderful views out to the Atlantic. A masterpiece of design by Mackenzie Ross, the layout makes good use of the surrounding pine trees and eucalyptuses. Although a short course, at 5,808 yards, its par of 69, coupled with uneven terrain and tight fairways, demands accuracy and good course management to score well. clubegolfestoril.com 3. OITAVOS DUNES Providing a hybrid experience of both links and woodland golf, Oitavos Dunes enjoys one of the most dramatic settings on the Lisbon Coast, with magnificent views of the Sintra Mountains, Atlantic Ocean and Cabo da Roca. Host of the European Tour’s 2018 GolfSixes event, precision rather than power is the order of the day over the opening holes, as anything hit off line will almost certainly require a chip out. Once safely negotiated, the course opens up as you rise out of the woodland, with an opportunity to open the shoulders on the par fives at 7 and 8. Moving to the back nine, the pick of the holes are 14, 17 and 18. The 14th is a wonderful par three that plays over ravine, while the final two holes are both par fours measuring over 450 yards. The 17th is slightly easier, as it has a downhill approach, but the green is tricky and the bunker front left must be avoided. The 18th is a classic finishing hole – a long dogleg left with a narrow fairway, and trees and dunes bordering the rough on both sides. The course is largely flat, and a good walk will set you up nicely to enjoy the excellent food on offer in the stylish clubhouse or the five-star hotel. oitavosdunes.com
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4. 4. 4.BELAS BELAS BELAS
LISBON CITY GUIDE Located at the mouth of the River Targus, Lisbon is connected to the south by two iconic bridges, the 25th April and the Vasco da Gama. The former is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and is overlooked by one of city’s most famous landmarks – Cristo Rei – a 260ft statue of Christ, similar to the one found in Rio de Janeiro. The city is very walkable, although living up to its name of ‘The City of Seven Hills’ it’s advisable to make use of the extensive tram system or take a ride on one of the many threewheel tuktuk taxis. Don’t miss a tour around St George’s Castle, which overlooks the whole city, while the streets of the trendy Chiado district will find yourself amid beautiful boutiques and a mix of bohemian cafés and bars, where a glass of Ginjinha – a sweet cherry liqueur – will set you up for an evening of listening to famous Fado singers in a local restaurant.
3. 3. 3.OITAVOS OITAVOS OITAVOSDUNES DUNES DUNES
5. 5. 5.LISBON LISBON LISBONSPORTS SPORTS SPORTSCLUB CLUB CLUB
1. 1. 1.QUINTA QUINTA QUINTADA DA DAMARINHA MARINHA MARINHA 2. GOLF DO ESTORIL
■ BELAS OFFERS A NUMBER OF DROP HOLES THAT WILL TEST YOUR CLUB SELECTION AND DISTANCE CONTROL
4. BELAS Set in the beautiful Carregueira Mountains, a short drive from Lisbon, the Rocky Roquemore-designed Belas is a demanding championship course that offers fantastic views of the surrounding hills and valleys beyond. The 6,700-yard layout features gently mounded fairways – several of them set in deep valleys – large scalloped bunkers, plenty of significant rises and falls, and a liberal number of streams and lakes to avoid. There is a great variety of holes on offer, including an attractive selection of par threes, including a couple of drop holes, while the closing stretch is both challenging and memorable, with the downhill par-5 15th, the par-4 17th, with water on both sides of the green, and the par-4 18th, which requires a carry over a U-shaped lake with your approach, all adding to the drama of an entertaining round. belasclubedecampo.pt 5. LISBON SPORTS CLUB One of the oldest clubs and most traditional clubs in the region, having been founded in 1922, Lisbon Sports Club is a little gem that is well worth searching out during any trip to Portugal’s capital city. Tucked away in the forests of Sintra, 20km from the city centre, the course measures just under 5,300 metres, with a par of 69. A Fred Hawtree design, it is characterised by tree-lined fairways flowing through a peaceful valley setting. Raised tees and greens add to the challenge, while clever bunkering places an emphasis on distance and direction control, rather than brute force. The greens are sloping and fast. Some of the holes criss-cross each other, so it’s advisable to keep your eyes peeled for balls coming from all directions. lisbonclub.com
HOST OF THE EUROPEAN TOUR'S GOLFSIXES EVENT IN 2018, PRECISION RATHER THAN POWER IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY AT OITAVOS DUNES OVER THE OPENING HOLES, AS ANYTHING HIT MARGINALLY OFFLINE WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY REQUIRE A CHIP OUT SIDEWAYS
■ LISBON SPORTS CLUB IS ONE OF PORTUGAL'S OLDEST CLUBS, BUT ITS OFFERS A THOROUGHLY MODERN TEST OF GOLF
ISSUE ISSUE 13 12
SINTRA Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992, Sintra is a charming hilltop town located 25km west of Lisbon that demands a visit between rounds. Don’t miss a tour of the Pena Palace, a former royal summer residence whose mixture of architectural styles will amaze and surprise, while the region’s Moorish influences can be seen most impressively at the Castelo dos Mouros, a mist-enshrouded ruined castle that looms over 400m above the surrounding forest, which can trace its history back to the 10th century.
CASCAIS The historic and beautiful coastal town of Cascais lies on the Estoril coast, just 30 minutes from Lisbon. The pretty harbour town boasts a yacht-filled marina and lots of great fish restaurants, while its small, sandy coves are ideal for swimming and water sports. Take a tour around the Palácio da Cidadela, which was commissioned as a summer palace in 1870 by King Dom Luís I. This captivating museum remains the official residence of visiting heads of state in Portugal. If walking gets too much, hire one of 1,200 bikes offered through the BiCas free bike-hire scheme, which are available from 76 points between Parede and Estoril, and hit the cycle path that runs the entire 9km stretch from Cascais to Guincho. For a bit of nature in the raw, stop off at the Boca do Inferno to watch the Atlantic waves pummel the craggy ‘Mouth of Hell’, 2km west of Cascais.
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10 THINGS TO DO IN LISBON • Take a trip on one of the five tram routes that criss-cross the city. The most scenic tram route is 28, which travels through the Alfama district, while 12E is also popular, climbing from the Baixa to the Castle. • Hop on one of three funicular railways to climb Lisbon’s steepest hills, or take a ride in the Elevador de Santa Justa, a 150ft tall vertical lift built in 1902 which offers fine views of the city from the top. • Visit the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) and Gulbenkian museum and gardens. • Visit the historical quarters of Chiado and Bairro Alto, which are packed with avant-garde boutiques, lively bars and buzzing restaurants. • Reserve a table for dinner in one of the many Fado houses in Alfama and Bairro Alto which offer this melancholic, but extremely moving musical art form while serving a traditional Portuguese menu. • Visit The Pilar 7 Bridge Experience - an interactive exhibition overlooking the April 25 Bridge which combines virtual reality technology with a panoramic viewing platform over the bridge and the city. • Take the 15 tram out to the Belém monumental area and discover the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco de Gama is buried, and visit the architecturally impressive Belem Tower. Take in an exhibition at the Centro Cultural de Belem, and don’t forget to stop off at the iconic Pasteis de Belem café for coffee and a Pasteis de Nata – a custard pastry treat to die for. • Walk through the Parque das Naçoes - the exhibition grounds for Expo ‘98 – and visit the Oceanarium, which is home to over 8,000 different aquatic species, including sharks, penguins, rays and sea dragons. • Visit the Time Out Market. Boasting a dizzying choice of 32 restaurants and food stalls, eights bars, a dozen shops, a cookery school and a live music venue, the market brings together all of Lisbon’s finest culinary traditions under one gigantic roof. • Catch a football match between Lisbon’s two Primeira Liga teams, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. Tickets are like gold dust for this fiercely competitive derby, so book ahead for the games on January 18 and May 17, 2020.
6. PENHA LONGA RESORT Located 30 minutes east of Lisbon, Penha Longa (‘Long Rock’) boasts 27 holes of championship golf set against a spectacular and ever-changing backdrop of beautiful countryside and stunning coastal views to Estoril and Cascais. Home to a five-star Ritz-Carlton Resort, it’s a peaceful spot in which to test your skills on the famed Atlantic North Course. With its requirement for bold drives, courageous approaches and artful putting on the fast greens, Robert Trent Jones Jr’s design is both an adrenaline rush and a soothing journey through one of Portugal’s most inspiring landscapes. With half the holes framed by trees, and several lakes to contend with, straight hitting is required to score well, although there are plenty of birdie opportunities out there on an undulating course which is not long by modern standards. The Atlantic South Course is a less challenging, but still entertaining option, with its nine holes winding through some of the most historical parts of the estate. The Ritz-Carlton hotel boasts 194 guest rooms, six restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a spa and fitness centre, jogging track and a children’s activity centre. penhalonga.com 7. PESTANA BELOURA RESORT Located between Sintra and Estoril, 30 minutes from Lisbon, Pestana Beloura boasts a pleasant parkland course set among the verdant foothills of the Sintra mountains. Featuring mature, tree-lined fairways, six lakes and several streams, there are plenty of natural hazards to contend with on the 5,573-metre, 18-hole course, which was designed by Rocky Roquemore and first opened in 1993. Full irrigation ensures the course is always presented in great condition year-round, while the bentgrass greens are a please to putt on. The welcoming clubhouse features an excellent restaurant and bar with a terrace overlooking the course in which to enjoy a post-round meal. The course is located next to the Pestana Sintra Golf and Spa Resort, which boasts air-conditioned rooms and offers two restaurants, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts. pestanagolf.com
WITH ITS REQUIREMENT FOR BOLD DRIVES, COURAGEOUS APPROACHES, AND ARTFUL PUTTING, PENHA LONGA IS BOTH AN ADRENALINE RUSH AND A SOOTHING JOURNEY THROUGH ONE OF PORTUGAL'S MOST INSPIRING LANDSCAPES
■ FADO CAN BE ENJOYED IN A WIDE RANGE OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS THROUGHOUT LISBON
■ PESTANA BELOURA'S 18 HOLE LAYOUT FEATURES NO FEWER THAN SIX LAKES
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■ DOLCE CAMPOREAL
14. DOLCE CAMPOREAL
SILVER SERVICE There is a wonderful collection of championship layouts to enjoy on Portugal’s Silver Coast, an hour north of Lisbon, with the new links at West Cliffs being a dazzling highlight
■ PENHA LONGA'S ATLANTIC NORTH COURSE
■ DONALD STEEL'S BOM SUCESSO IS ACLASSIC RESORT GOLF TEST, WITH GENEROUS FAIRWAYS MIXED IN WITH PLENTY OF WATER AND SOME DRAMATIC ELEVATION CHANGES
ISSUE ISSUE 13 12
13. BOM SUCESSO Occupying a spectacular site alongside the Lagoa de Obidos, the 18 holes at Bom Sucesso first opened in 2008 and were designed by Donald Steel. It is the very epitome of resort golf – offering generous fairways, a smattering of water, and some interesting changes in elevation. After a gentle opener, the course quickly gets into it stride at the second, a very strong par-5 which sweeps downhill to a green protected by a lake on the right. The same lake is then carried to the par-3 third. The back nine kicks off with a pretty par three, while the 12th is a testing 400-yard par four with water to the right with the hole turning left to an off-set green. The closing two holes are show stoppers, with the tee on the par-5 17th commanding the best view on the entire estate, although this demanding 580-yard dogleg will require all of your attention. The 18th offers a similarly inviting view from the tee, although the drive requires a little more thought, as a stream crosses the hole twice before you reach the safety of the green. bomsucesso.net
6. PENHA LONGA RESORT
7. PESTANA BELOURA RESORT
14. DOLCE CAMPOREAL A 45-minute drive north of Lisbon will take you to the championship course at CampoReal, a Martin Ebert design which first opened in 2005 and blends serenely into the surrounding countryside, while providing an enjoyable and interesting round. Blind shots, steep inclines and wooded valleys create a series of hazards that will test all of your shot-making skills on this charming layout, which hosted the Ladies Portugal Open in 2010 and 2011. The on-site hotel coasts 155 well-appointed rooms and suites, while there is also a range of private apartments, town houses and villas which are ideal for families and larger groups. The hotel boasts four restaurants and two bars, the Southeast Asian-themed Mandalay Spa, while other leisure facilities include tennis courts, bike hire and a children’s activity club. dolcecamporeal.com
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WEST CLIFFS IS SPREAD OUT AMONG 200 ACRES OF ROLLING SAND DUNES AND COASTAL VEGETION, OFFERING SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN FROM EVERY HOLE
15. PRAIA DE’L REY RESORT Situated less than an hour north of Lisbon, on Portugal’s magnificent Silver Coast, Praia D’El Rey enjoys a well-earned reputation as being one of Europe’s top golf resorts. A firm favourite with golf groups and families thanks to its extensive array of five-star facilities, which include a 177room Marriott hotel, a wide selection of rental villas, five restaurants, tennis academy, multi-sports court, luxury spa, health club, and two championship golf courses - Praia D’El Rey and West Cliffs. The former is a par-73 championship course is set amidst a combination of extensive pine forests and undulating dunes, and features spectacular views over the Atlantic and the Berlengas Islands beyond. Designed by Cabell Robinson, it deserves its reputation as one of the continent’s top layouts. While the front nine flits between the ocean and some inland holes, the course gets into its stride on the back nine, especially on the three-hole stretch from 13-15 that runs along the coast. All are superb tests, with the signature par-3 13th and the 15th, a demanding 400-yard par-4 with a big dip short of the green, being personal favourites. praia-del-rey.com 16. ROYAL OBIDOS SPA & GOLF RESORT Royal Obidos was a stunning addition to the golf offering on the Silver Coast when it opened in 2011. Well known as the last course ever designed by the late Seve Ballesteros, it provides a superb lasting legacy, with the 7,320-yard layout being one of the great man’s best works. With views over the Atlantic and the Obidos Lagoon, its presents a serious challenge to all levels of golfer, especially on the eight holes that feature water, while the numerous run-offs around the greens offer the chance to practice your Seve-style up-and-downs. Opened in 2014, the boutique-style Evolutee Hotel sits in splendid
■ ROYAL OBIDOS SPA & GOLF RESORT
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■ THE DRAMATIC COURSES AT WEST CLIFFS (ABOVE) AND NEIGHBOURING PRAIA D’EL REY (LEFT) HAVE TURNED PORTUGAL’S SILVER COAST INTO ONE OF EUROPE HOTTEST GOLF DESTINATIONS
isolation overlooking the golf course. Boasting just 39 rooms – make sure you bag one with an ocean view – the five-star venue features an Elemental spa, two swimming pools, a restaurant and bar. More importantly, it’s just a short walk down the hill to the clubhouse. royalobidos.com 17. WEST CLIFFS Voted one of the most exciting new course openings of 2017, the stunning links at West Cliffs, located on Portugal’s dramatic Silver Coast an hour north of Lisbon, deserves to be on everyone’s list of must-play courses in 2020. Designed by Cythia Dye, niece of the legendary golf architect Pete, it took 14 years to create West Cliffs from start to finish, and her first layout in Portugal has been well worth the wait. Occupying a privileged location high above the sea, the spectacular par-72 clifftop links has been created over 200 hectares of natural landscape, rolling sand dunes and coastal vegetation, and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean from each hole. Not overly long – it measures barely 7,000 yards off the back tees –its clever design features a number of carries and an array of outstanding holes that have to be negotiated if you’re to score well. The experience is enhanced by stylish, eco-friendly clubhouse, which was built using natural and certified materials, and offers exclusive panoramic views of the course and the Atlantic from three sides of the glass-fronted building. West Cliffs is managed by Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, which is situated less than a 10-minute drive away and provides the ideal base for a golfing break. westcliffs.com 13 ISSUE 12
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16. ROYAL OBIDOS SPA & GOLF RESORT
SOUTHERN STARS
17. WEST CLIFFS
Photography Peter Corden
Head south across Lisbon’s two iconic bridges to sample yet more superb golfing treats 8. AROEIRA I & II Tucked away in a 900-acre private estate 30km south of Lisbon, Aroeria’s two championship layouts, named I and II, cut a swathe through a dense pine forest. Aroeira I, which was built in 1972, some 30 years before II came along. Despite its numbering, the lower numbered course is not the first string, as it perhaps lacks the stadium setting, and the length, of its younger sibling, although they both enjoy similarly elevated positions in the various European course rankings. Designed by Frank Pennink, Aroeira I plays 6,650 yards off the back tees and requires unerring accuracy off the tee to score well. The round kicks off with a gun-barrel straight par five, but the pressure soon ramps up at the testing 400-yard, par four second, which gently turns right off the tee around a large pond, before rising to a well-protected green. Water comes into play at the first par three – the 170-yard fourth – and reappears besides the green at the 340-yard par-four sixth, where a 3-wood off the tee leaves you a short iron to a large, but undulating green. Arguably some of the best holes can be found on the back nine, with the par-3 14th, with the green fronted by water all the way from the tee, and surrounded by a canopy of majestic pines behind, being a highlight. The par-four 17th and 18th provide a strong finish, with the former requiring an accurate tee shot to set up an approach to this sharply angled dogleg, while the 18th is as straight as you like, but is uphill all
■ MONTADO HOTEL & GOLF RESORT IS SURROUNDED BY VINEYARDS
■ AROEIRA BOASTS TWO CHAMPIONSHIP LAYOUTS THAT THREAD THEIR WAY THROUGH DENSE FORESTS
15. PRAIA D’EL REY RESORT
8. AROEIRA I & II
10. QUINTA DO PERU
9. MONTADO
the way to green and requires two good whacks to reach the heavilysloping green. Aroeria II is more of a championship layout than I, and it’s easy to see why it enjoys a reputation as being the ‘Wentworth of Lisbon’. Built at the turn of the century, there is plenty of maturity to the pine-tree lined layout. Measuring just under 7,000 yards from the back tees, water comes into play on no fewer than nine holes, and there are many pot bunkers and large, undulating greens to negotiate. Although wider off the tee in places, it’s grown up golf, and is more demanding than your average holiday golf course. orizontegolf.com 9. MONTADO Located close to Setubal, a 30-minute drive south of Lisbon, Montado Hotel & Golf Resort is surrounded by famous muscatel vineyards that were planted more than a century ago, and offers a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. The par-72, 6,380m course, which opened in 1992, and was redesigned in 2005, enjoys a pleasant rural setting, with easy-walking fairways laid out between lines of old oaks and younger olive trees, chestnut and pines, winding around creeks and natural lakes. There are plenty of interesting holes on which to test your skills, but there’s no doubting that the par-three 18th, which requires a tee shot to a island green, is among the highlights, especially if the match is all-square. On-site accommodation is offered in a four-star hotel, which boasts 90 rooms, two restaurants and a spa. montadoresort.com 10. QUINTA DO PERU Just a 30-minute drive from the centre of Lisbon, the enchanting tree-lined course at Quinta do Peru is framed by the Arrábida Natural Park with its 18 finely-crafted holes meandering gently through avenues of tall pines. First opened in 1994, it was designed by American architect Rocky Roquemore, the 6,640-yard layout has matured nicely over the last 25 years, and is tidy without being pristinely manicured, and the greens are devilishly quick, so its vital to be below the hole if you want to give it anything more than a nudge with the putter. Although the tree-lined fairways are generally not too narrow, big and astutely-placed bunkers, and rapid putting surfaces, ensure that Quinta do Peru is a solid test off the back tees, and most holiday golfers will have more fun off the yellows, which take the course down to a more manageable 6,175 yards. clubgolfquintadoperu.com
■ QUINTA DO PERU
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12. RIBAGO 12. RIBAGOLFE I &
12. RIBAGOLFE I & 12. RIBAGOLFE I & II
18. ALDEIA 18. ALDEIA DOS DOS CAPUCHOS CAPUCHOS GOLF &GOLF SPA & SPA 18. ALDEIA 18. ALDEIA DOS DOS CAPUCHOS CAPUCHOS GOLF &GOLF SPA & SPA ■ RIBAGOLFE TWO SUPERB ■ RIBAGOLFE OFFERSOFFERS TWO SUPERB LAYOUTS EAST OF LISBON LAYOUTS EAST OF LISBON ■ RIBAGOLFE OFFERS TWO ■ RIBAGOLFE OFFERS TWO SUPERBSUPERB LAYOUTS EAST OF LISBON LAYOUTS EAST OF LISBON
TROIA 11.11. TROIA Located hour south of Lisbon, accessible a lovely Located an an hour south of Lisbon, andand accessible via avia lovely shortshort ferryferry 11. TROIA 11. TROIA crossing from Setubal, offers a accessible magical for Robert Trent crossing from Setubal, offers aand magical setting for Robert Trentferry JonesJones Located an hour south ofTroia Lisbon, a lovely short Located an hour south ofTroia Lisbon, and accessible viasetting avia lovely short ferry Senior’s magical, yetyet significantly seaside course, which first Senior’s magical, significantly seaside course, which first crossing from Setubal, Troia offers aunderrated, magical setting for Robert Trent Jones crossing from Setubal, Troia offers aunderrated, magical setting for Robert Trent Jones opened formagical, play in 1980. Jones utilised his trademark bold bunkering, opened for play in 1980. Jones utilised his trademark bold bunkering, Senior’s magical, yet significantly underrated, seaside course, which first first Senior’s yet significantly underrated, seaside course, which raised greens and doglegs onutilised the par-72, 6,317m layout, which stretches opened forgreens play inand 1980. Jones his trademark bold bunkering, raised doglegs onutilised the par-72, 6,317m layout, which stretches opened for play in 1980. Jones his trademark bold bunkering, along the beach and sweeps between pine trees, offering panoramic viewsviews raised greens and doglegs on the par-72, 6,317m layout, which stretches raised greens and doglegs on the par-72, 6,317m layout, which stretches along the beach and sweeps between pine trees, offering panoramic ofalong the Atlantic Ocean and the Arrábida mountain range. Although too along beach and sweeps between pine trees, offering panoramic views the beach and sweeps between pine trees, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Arrábida mountain range. Although too of the Atlantic Ocean and thetournament Arrábida mountain range. Although tooPortuguese short and tight for modern play, Troia hosted the Portuguese of the Atlantic Ocean and the Arrábida mountain range. Although too short and tight for modern tournament play, Troia hosted the short and tight for1983, modern tournament play, Troia hosted the Portuguese Open back in 1983, when Sam Torrance was theTroia only player to par par short and tight for modern tournament play, hosted thebreak Portuguese Open back in when Sam Torrance was the only player to break Open back in 1983, when Sam Torrance wasyou theyou only player break par forOpen the championship, telling everything need to know about the par back in 1983, when Sam Torrance was theneed only player to break for the championship, telling everything toto know about the for thethe championship, everything youinyou need to know about the course’s challenge. It’stelling recent rise to No.8 Golf World’s Top 100 Courses in in for championship, telling everything to know about the course’s challenge. It’s recent rise to No.8 inneed Golf World’s Top 100 Courses course’s challenge. It’s recent rise to No.8 in Golf World’s Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe ranking shows atoclub that is not resting on 100 itsonlaurels. course’s challenge. It’sranking recent rise No.8 in that Golf World’s Top Courses in Continental Europe shows a club is not resting its laurels. Continental Europe ranking shows a club thatthat is not on itsonlaurels. troiaresort.pt Continental Europe ranking shows a club is resting not resting its laurels. troiaresort.pt troiaresort.pt troiaresort.pt
11. TROIA 11. TROIA 18. ALDEIA 18. ALDEIA DOS DOS
11. TROIA 11. TROIA
CAPUCHOS CAPUCHOS SPA & SPA 18. ALDEIA DOS &GOLF 18. ALDEIA DOS GOLF Located in the&historic of Vila dos Located in the&GOLF historic town Vila dos CAPUCHOS SPA oftown CAPUCHOS GOLF SPA Capuchos, onthe thehistoric Costa 20km Lisbon 3kmand from Capuchos, on the Costa 20kmofsouth ofand Lisbon 3km from Located in town ofCaparica, Vila dossouth Located in the historic town ofCaparica, Vila dos the sea, the 4-star Capuchos Resort boasts a3km aparthotel, a the sea, the 4-star Aldeia dos Capuchos Resort boasts a aparthotel, a Capuchos, on the Costa Caparica, 20km south ofsouth Lisbon from Capuchos, on theAldeia Costados Caparica, 20km ofand Lisbon and 3km from full-service spa, three swimming pools and a 9-hole the sea, thesea, 4-star Aldeia dos Capuchos Resort boasts aboasts aparthotel, a There full-service spa, three swimming pools and agolf 9-hole golf course. the the 4-star Aldeia dos Capuchos Resort acourse. aparthotel, a is There a driving range, practice putting green and shop. Eating and full-service three swimming poolsputting and a 9-hole course. There isdrinking full-service spa, threepractice swimming pools andpro agolf 9-hole golf course. There aspa, driving range, green and pro shop. Eating andisdrink options on range, site on include twoputting restaurants, cafépro and twoand bars. a driving range, practice putting green proaand shop. Eating drinking a driving practice green Eating drinking options site include twoand restaurants, a shop. café and twoand bars. options on site include two restaurants, a café and twoand bars.two bars. golfaldeiadoscapuchos.com options on site include two restaurants, a café golfaldeiadoscapuchos.com golfaldeiadoscapuchos.com golfaldeiadoscapuchos.com
TROIA OFFERS TROIA OFFERS TROIA TROIA OFFERS A MAGICAL AOFFERS MAGICAL ASETTING MAGICAL ASETTING MAGICAL FORFOR SETTING FOR SETTING FOR ROBERT TRENT YOUR GOLFING TRIP TO LISBON ROBERT TRENT BOOK BOOK YOUR GOLFING TRIP TO LISBON ROBERT TRENT BOOK YOUR GOLFING TRIP TO LISBON ROBERT TRENT For more onGOLFING Lisbon and its many attractions, visit JONES SNR'S BOOK YOUR TRIP TO LISBON Fordetails more details on Lisbon and its many attractions, visit JONES SNR'S For more on Lisbon and its and many visit hotels, JONES SNR'S www.visitlisboa.com, where you will findwill details Fordetails more details on Lisbon itsattractions, many attractions, visit JONES SNR'S MAGICAL, www.visitlisboa.com, where you find on details on transport, hotels, trans MAGICAL, www.visitlisboa.com, where you findwill details on hotels, MAGICAL, restaurants, sightseeing andwill shopping, sport and leisure activities, www.visitlisboa.com, where you find details on transport, hotels, transport, MAGICAL, YETYET restaurants, sightseeing and shopping, sport and leisure activitie restaurants, sightseeing anddesign shopping, sport and leisure activities, 12. RIBAGOLFE I & II music festivals, art and exhibitions and much, muchactivities, more. YET restaurants, sightseeing and shopping, sport and leisure 12. RIBAGOLFE I & II music festivals, art and design exhibitions and much, much more YET SIGNIFICANTLY 12. RIBAGOLFE I & II music festivals, art and design exhibitions and much, much more. SIGNIFICANTLY You Set within a natureI reserve 40km east of Lisbon, Ribagolfe offers can festivals, also call +351 210design 312 700. 12. RIBAGOLFE & IIreserve music art and exhibitions and much, much more. SIGNIFICANTLY Set within a nature 40km east of Lisbon, Ribagolfe offers You also call SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERRATED Set within a nature 40km east oftranquil. Lisbon, Ribagolfe offers You can also callcan +351 210 312+351 700.210 312 700. Portuguese atreserve itsreserve most rural and Boasting two courses, I and UNDERRATED Set within golf a nature 40km east oftranquil. Lisbon, Ribagolfe offers You can also call +351 210 312 700. UNDERRATED Portuguese golf at its most rural and Boasting two courses, I and Portuguese its most rural and tranquil. Boasting two courses, I and to UNDERRATED SEASIDE II, Portuguese Ribagolfegolf I, golf a at monstrous 7,300-yard thatBoasting we thankfully reduced at its most rural andlayout tranquil. two courses, I and SEASIDE SEASIDE II, Ribagolfe I, a monstrous 7,300-yard that we thankfully to II, Ribagolfe I, a monstrous 7,300-yard layoutlayout that we thankfully reducedreduced to SEASIDE COURSE, WHICH a still not inconsiderable 6,600 yards by layout hittingthat fromwe the yellow tees. Played II, Ribagolfe I, a monstrous 7,300-yard thankfully reduced to COURSE, WHICH a still inconsiderable by hitting from the yellow tees. Played COURSE, WHICH a still not not inconsiderable 6,6006,600 yardsyards by hitting from the yellow tees. Played inaearly spring, the course was lush, green and visually stunning, COURSE, WHICH FEATURES HISHIS still not inconsiderable 6,600 yards by hitting from the yellowand tees.with Played in early spring, the course was green lush, green and visually stunning, and with in early spring, the course was lush, and visually stunning, and with FEATURES FEATURES HIS noinvillas houses tocourse interrupt views or the of the layout. Each earlyorspring, the wasthe lush, green andflow visually stunning, and with FEATURES HIS TRADEMARK no villas or houses to interrupt the views or the or flow the layout. Each Each no villas or houses to interrupt the views theofflow of the layout. TRADEMARK TRADEMARK hole is sheltered fromtothe next, and utmost concentration no villas or houses interrupt therequires views oryour the flow of the layout. Each TRADEMARK BOLD holehole is sheltered from the next, and requires your utmost concentration is sheltered from the next, and requires your utmost concentration BOLD BOLD tohole make Deep bunkers halt progress the utmost fairway,concentration while sheer is par. sheltered from thewill next, and requiresupyour BOLD to make par. par. Deep bunkers will halt progress up theup fairway, while sheer BUNKERING, to make Deep bunkers will halt progress the fairway, while sheer BUNKERING, length willpar. prove most players’ undoing. The huge greens are even paced to make Deep bunkers will halt progress up the fairway, while sheer BUNKERING, length will will prove mostmost players’ undoing. The huge greens are even paced BUNKERING, RAISED GREENS length prove players’ undoing. The huge greens are even paced and excellent to putt on, players’ although finding the right level wasare never easy. RAISED GREENS length will to prove most undoing. The huge greens even paced RAISED GREENS and excellent putt on, although finding the right level was never easy. and excellent toinclude putt on, although finding thefour right level was never easy. RAISED GREENS AND DOGLEGS Hole highlights the 7th, a 448-yard par which is framed by a and excellent putt on, findingpar thefour right leveliswas never AND AND DOGLEGS Hole highlightstoinclude thealthough 7th, a 448-yard which framed byeasy. a DOGLEGS Hole highlights include the 7th, a 448-yard par four which is framed by a AND DOGLEGS lakeall allthe the waydown down theright right side. water is barely in play, it a Hole highlights include the 7th, aAlthough 448-yard par four which is framed lake way the side. Although thethe water is barely in play, it by lakeall allthe the waydown down the right side. Although water isindex barely in play, provides stunning view from the green this testing stroke lake way the right side. Although thethe water isindex barely intwo. play, it it provides aastunning view from the green at at this testing stroke two. providesaaIIstunning stunning view from the green at this testing stroke index two. Ribagolfe is a shorter test than its sibling, but still measures more than provides view from the green at this testing stroke index two. Ribagolfe II is a shorter test than its sibling, but still measures more than Ribagolfe ismore shorter testthan than its sibling, but still measures more than 6,800 yards.It’s It’sIIaIIaismore forgiving, but equally appealing course, with wider Ribagolfe a ashorter test its sibling, but still measures more than 6,800 yards. forgiving, but equally appealing course, with wider 6,800and yards. It’sagenerous agenerous moreforgiving, forgiving, but equally appealing course, with wider fairways and more landing areas, while large, contoured greens 6,800 yards. It’s more but equally appealing course, with wider fairways more landing areas, while large, contoured greens fairways and more generous landing areas, while large, contoured greens make stiff test, especially the wind blows. fairways and more generous landing areas, while large, contoured greens make ititaastiff test, especially if ifthe wind blows. makeititaastiff stifftest, test,especially especiallyif if the wind blows. orizontegolf.com make the wind blows. orizontegolf.com orizontegolf.com orizontegolf.com
■ ALDEIA DOS CAPUCHOS ■ ALDEIA DOS CAPUCHOS ■ ALDEIA DOS CAPU ■ ALDEIA DOS CAPUCHOS
TROIAISISAAJEWEL JEWELININTHE THECROWN CROWN LISBON GOLF, RANKED ■■ TROIA OFOF LISBON GOLF, RANKED 8TH■ INTROIA GOLFWORLD'S WORLD'S TOP 100 COURSES IN EUROPE 8TH GOLF TOP 100 COURSES INOF EUROPE JEWEL THE CROWN LISBON GOLF, RANKED ■INTROIA ISISAAJEWEL ININ THE CROWN OF LISBON GOLF, RANKED
8THININGOLF GOLFWORLD'S WORLD'STOP TOP100 100 COURSES EUROPE 8TH COURSES IN IN EUROPE
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