Portugal Golf Holidays

Discover the history of golf in the Algarve: Penina Hotel and Golf Resort

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The Algarve, a paradise on the southern coast of Portugal, has long been a coveted destination for golf fans worldwide. With its perfect climate, picture-postcard landscapes and several internationally renowned golf courses, this region attracts golfers year after year. At the heart of this enclave is the Penina Hotel and Golf Resort, the original home of golf in the Algarve.

This luxurious five-star resort, set on 360 acres of grassland and natural beauty, is more than just a golf destination – it’s an institution. With three courses, including the Algarve’s first 18-hole championship course, Penina leads the way in high-quality service, Portuguese charm and exceptional golf. It is perfect for luxurious Algarve golf breaks, relaxing family holidays and corporate retreats for those looking for the ultimate Portugal golf break.

Penina Hotel and Golf Resort: a unique experience

In addition to the golf courses, the Penina Resort has 6 restaurants and bars, ATP standard tennis courts, the largest outdoor pool in the Algarve, a football field, a sauna and a 24-hour gym. As if that were not enough, it also has a private beach bar on the nearby Playa de Dunas.

The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina is one of the most challenging in Portugal. Flanked by streams, ditches and water hazards, this course is as unforgiving as beautiful. Maintained to the highest standard, it offers a variety of subtle slopes, elevated greens and stunning scenery. And as host of the Portuguese Open on ten occasions, it guarantees one of the best rounds of golf you can find in the country. It has also received other important international competitions, the most recent being the 74 Portuguese International Amateur Championship organized by the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe.

On the other hand, the Resort Course in Penina offers 9 holes for beginners or 18 holes for more experienced players. Following the principles established by the father of Portuguese golf, Sir Henry Cotton, this course is ideal for golfers of all levels and knowledge looking to enjoy the best Portugal golf holidays.

After a day of play on one of the three exceptional courses, guests can enjoy the best local and international cuisine at the resort’s restaurants. From Portuguese specialities to sophisticated Italian dishes, Penina offers a luxury dining experience to suit all tastes.

The history of golf in the Algarve is one of evolution and growth, which we have witnessed since its beginnings at Tee Times Golf Agency. From the first attempts to build courses in the region to the creation of prestigious tournaments such as the Portuguese Open, the Algarve has become a world-renowned golf destination. At the heart of this phenomenon is the Penina Hotel and Golf Resort. This gem has significantly contributed to the Algarve’s reputation as one of Portugal’s best places to play golf. Discover the magic of golf in the Algarve with a stay at Penina!

Amendoeira Golf Resort: A luxury retreat in the Algarve for golf lovers

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Located in the heart of the central Algarve, the Amendoeira Golf Resort offers an unrivalled experience for golf and nature lovers looking for the best Portugal golf breaks. Just 15 minutes from the picturesque beaches of Armação de Pêra and 35 minutes from Faro Airport, this resort is home to two award-winning golf courses: the Faldo Course and the challenging O’Connor Jnr. Course. The resort also has an artificial lighting par 3 course, the only one in Portugal.

With elegant self-catering apartments and villas, vast sporting facilities and on-site dining alternatives, Amendoeira Golf Resort is the ideal destination for individual golfers, professional groups, and families looking for an unforgettable vacation in Portugal.

 

Amendoeira Golf Resort and two unique courses

Amendoeira Faldo, designed by Sir Nick Faldo in 2008, is an undulating golf course with elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers. Ideal for players with a medium-low handicap, it offers beautiful views of the Algarve countryside and a challenging experience that invites you to return. Faldo Design worked creatively with a decisive premise: to build a strategic Mediterranean desert-style golf course. And they got it.

On the other hand, the Amendoeira O’Connor Jnr, designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr. and also inaugurated in 2008, features a slightly undulating and longer course, with numerous water hazards and wide fairways. It is a jewel of Portuguese golf suitable for players with a medium or medium-low handicap, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Both the Faldo Course and the O’Connor Jnr. course are very popular destinations for the best Portugal golf breaks, and Tee Times Golf Agency offers packages including accommodation and unlimited golf at the Amendoeira Golf Resort. With its world-class courses and unparalleled natural environment, Amendoeira is a standout choice for golfers seeking a unique Algarve experience. Visit Portugal and discover the magic of golf in Amendoeira!

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?