Oporto Golf

Tee Times Golf Holidays Oporto – All things related to the region and city of Oporto (Porto) in the north of Portugal. Great culture, traditions, food and awesome golf resorts are here.

Estela Golf Club: a slice of Scotland in Portugal

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Nestled along Portugal's breathtaking coastline, Estela Golf Club is a hidden gem that mirrors the essence of traditional Scottish links courses.

Nestled along Portugal’s breathtaking coastline close to Oporto, Estela Golf Club is a hidden gem that mirrors the essence of traditional Scottish links courses. Often referred to as “a piece of Scotland on Portuguese soil,” this exclusive golf club offers a unique and luxurious golfing experience that transports players to the rugged landscapes and challenging fairways reminiscent of British golf links.

Estela Golf Club is a meticulously crafted link course, a testament to the dedication to providing an incredible golfing experience. The course stretches over 3.5 kilometres of stunning Atlantic coastline over 62 hectares, featuring narrow fairways bordered by natural dunes and strategically placed hazards. The Atlantic breeze adds a layer of challenge and excitement. The firm, fast greens, made of Penncross Bentgrass, demand precision and skill, ensuring a fulfilling game for golfers of all levels.

Estela Golf Club: exclusivity and luxury

Estela Golf Club is one of Portugal’s most exclusive golf clubs, offering unparalleled privacy and luxury. With breathtaking ocean views, direct and private access to pristine beaches, and impeccable service, the club caters to golfers seeking an elite and tranquil environment. The clubhouse exudes elegance and comfort, offering traditional Portuguese cuisine that delights visitors after a rewarding round of golf.

The club’s layout and ambience closely mimic the historical courses of Scotland, providing golfers with an extraordinary experience that blends the best of both worlds. Every aspect of Estela Golf Club is exceptional, from the challenging dunes and undulating fairways to the scenic ocean vistas.

With 18 captivating and demanding holes spanning 6,148 meters, Estela Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise. The course’s design, by architect Duarte Sotto-Mayor, ensures a blend of beauty and golfing challenge. The fairways, covered with Tifton Bermuda grass, are narrow at the landing areas, demanding precision from the tee. Natural obstacles like dunes and lakes, combined with a few strategically placed bunkers, create a course that is as visually stunning as it is demanding, promising an adventure for every golfer.

Tee Times Golf Agency packages

For those looking to experience this Scottish gem in Portugal, Tee Times Golf Agency offers exceptional golf packages tailored to avid golfers’ desires. Whether you’re seeking a weekend escape or a large golfing holiday, we provide exclusive packages with access to Estela Golf Club, ensuring a seamless and memorable golfing experience.

As the world celebrates The Open Championship, there’s no better time to highlight Estela Golf Club, the most Scottish of Portugal’s golf courses. Its unique design, luxurious amenities, and unparalleled exclusivity make it a must-visit destination for golfers. Experience the magic of Estela Golf Club with Tee Times Golf Agency and discover a slice of Scotland on the stunning Portuguese coast.

Photos by: Estela Golf Club.

The road to 125 years of golf in Portugal: a journey through time

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Golf in Portugal has a rich history that dates back almost 125 years. The story began in 1890 when the Oporto Niblicks Golf Club, now Oporto Golf Club, emerged as the first course on the Iberian Peninsula and the fifth in continental Europe. 24 members gave life to the founding golf club in Portugal.

Initially enjoyed by Britons who had left their country, golf found its home near the mouth of the Douro River in Porto. By 1900, the golf course had expanded from 9 holes to 18. As the 20th century progressed, Lisbon also embraced golf, and the Lisbon Sports Club and Estoril Club created their courses, expanding the niche.

Today, the Oporto Golf Club honours its history. Its undulating holes wind through the Portuguese geography with the same charm as the holes on the best courses in the United Kingdom. Philip Mackenzie Ross remodelled the course in the late 1950s and was responsible for maintaining the original imprint.

 

Sir Henry Cotton’s vision to transform golf in Portugal

In the 1960s, Sir Henry Cotton’s vision transformed the Algarve by introducing the Penina Resort Championship course. At this crucial moment, it integrated golf into the region’s tourism offering, laying the foundation for future developments. Cotton also designed Vale do Lobo and one of the golf jewels in the south of the Algarve: Quinta de Benamor. A par 71 of 6,100 yards that shines among hills and leafy trees.

The late 1970s and 1980s saw a boom in golf courses in the Algarve, with iconic designs such as Palmares, Vilamoura Old Course, and San Lorenzo enriching the landscape. At the end of the 1980s, Portugal had 23 courses.

The 1990s saw a golf boom, which doubled the number of courses, surpassing 50 in the millennium. The Algarve remained a hotspot, but other regions, including the north, the central continent, Madeira and the Azores, joined the golf scene. In that decade, we founded Tee Times Golf Agency, offering Portugal golf breaks to worldwide golfers who began hiring our services.

As The Clubhouse Algarve Magazine explains, Oporto Golf Club proudly claims the Skeffington Cup, created in 1891, to be one of the world’s oldest continuously contested golf trophies. This rich history illustrates the development of the sport, becoming an integral part of Portugal’s culture and sport.

In 2024, we commemorate 75 years of the Portuguese Golf Federation as we approach the celebration of the 125 years of the Oporto Golf Club. Golf in Portugal is an example of a harmonious coexistence between sport and nature, with spectacular golf courses that serve as a perfect transition between land and sea. The century we live in promises to add more colour and personality to Portugal’s golf legacy. And we will be there, providing the best service for those who choose to enjoy their Portugal golf holidays with us.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Portugal’s golf courses offer something for everyone. From the Algarve’s stunning coastal courses to the Oporto’s historical courses, Portugal is a golfing paradise that should be on every golfer’s bucket list. So, why not book your next trip to play golf in Portugal today and experience the country’s rich golfing history for yourself?

Portugal Golf Holidays – Meet the stunning Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel

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Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel. The stunning Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel

Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel is a reference in Viseu

The Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel is a prominent establishment in Portugal’s North region, and it is part of the Portuguese and Mozambican-based Montebelo Hotels & Resorts chain.

The hotel is only 5 minutes away from the heart of Viseu and offers quick access to major highways that lead to the nearby Serra da Estrela and Caramulo natural parks as well as Porto, which can be reached in only 1 hour.

Any tourist will find the modern 5-star Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel to be a great starting point to begin to explore Viseu and the rest of Portugal’s north region, where they can enjoy the region’s renowned hospitality, great cuisine, and artisanal products.

The Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel features a spa, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a fitness centre in addition to a gourmet restaurant and a lounge with panoramic views of the area.

Just 10 minutes away from the hotel, the Montebelo Golf course is a genuine challenge for golfers of all experience levels thanks to its 27 holes and its location on 200 hectares of land that features gorse and heather in addition to pines and oaks as prominent vegetation types.

Montebelo Golf offers several functional areas near the golf course, namely the driving range, pitch & putt, bunkers shot, putting green and an academy, as well as a magnificent restaurant, where everyone can quietly enjoy the magnificent atmosphere.

Book your golf holidays in Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel with Tee Times Golf Agency and enjoy the marvels of the North region of Portugal.

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