Castro Marim Golf Resort Senior Tournament

On a clear and sunny day in April, Castro Marim Golf Resort played host to the third tournament of the 2024/2025 South Circuit of the Portuguese National Senior Golf Association (ANSG). With over 50 players competing across the Guadiana and Atlântico courses, the event showcased not only excellent conditions but the enduring energy of Portugal’s senior golfing community.

The tournament drew a diverse field of senior golfers, including many travelling from Lisbon and a strong contingent of international members based in the Algarve. Their commitment, some crossing the region from Barlavento to the Eastern Algarve, underscored just how meaningful these events are to the senior circuit.

The resort itself was in excellent shape, with players praising the fairways, greens, and overall experience. It was, in every sense, a celebration of senior golf: competitive, social, and anchored in one of the Algarve’s most scenic settings.

Highlights from the Leaderboard

The tournament saw competitive play across multiple categories:

• Gross Champion: James Thomson led the field with 28 points

• Net Winner: José Ramos Paulino took top honours with 39 points

• Runner-Up (Net): David Ziai, a consistent performer on the day, followed closely with 31 points

• Super Seniors: Hilderico Vaz claimed victory with 38 points, just edging out João Jacinto Silva with 37

• Master Seniors (75+): Renato Farias and Armando Bernardo both posted 38 points, with Farias taking the top spot on countback

• Women’s Division: Stacey Thomas emerged as the winner with 30 points, followed by Josette Renzi, also with 30, decided by countback

The strength of the women’s division reflected the growing participation of expat members, many of whom made the trip from the western Algarve to compete.

A Showcase for Senior Golf in Portugal

Beyond the scores, the event was a reminder that senior golf in Portugal is thriving. The ANSG’s South Circuit continues to attract long-time residents, domestic travellers, and foreign members alike, offering more than just competitive golf, but a real sense of community.

The friendly-yet-focused spirit of these events has made them a staple of the national calendar, particularly in regions like the Algarve, where courses like Castro Marim provide excellent year-round conditions and welcoming hospitality.

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What’s Next on the Calendar

The next stop on the ANSG South Circuit will be at Benamor Golf in late May, offering another opportunity for the region’s senior golfers to gather and compete. But before that, the circuit’s Pitch & Putt event returns on Saturday, April 19, at the Amendoeira Academy Course, perfect for short-game specialists and those new to the format.

Whether you’re an active member or considering joining for the first time, the South Circuit continues to offer rewarding experiences for golfers aged 50 and up, on some of Portugal’s most enjoyable courses.

Rolex Backs Comporta’s Dunas Course

The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta, now partnered with Rolex, is already one of Portugal’s most talked-about new golf developments. In March 2025, the course officially announced a partnership with Rolex, joining a select group of golf destinations around the world associated with the iconic Swiss watchmaker.

Set along Portugal’s unspoiled west coast, the Dunas Course has quietly built a reputation for its natural design and strategic character. But this new partnership signals something more: a shift from under-the-radar favourite to international flagship.

Rolex doesn’t attach its name lightly. The brand is known for backing venues with history, ambition, and staying power. So when it aligns with a relatively new course like Dunas, it raises a clear question: is Comporta on the verge of becoming Portugal’s next great golfing destination?

For Portuguese golf, this isn’t just a name-drop, it’s a statement of intent. Comporta is no longer up-and-coming. It has arrived.

What Sets the Dunas Course Apart

Designed by David McLay Kidd, the Dunas Course has made waves for its minimalist approach, routing through natural dunes just south of Lisbon. Unlike many modern layouts, it resists over-shaping or over-polishing. This is a course built for the purist: firm, fast, and visually striking without being flashy.

Its character has already earned comparisons to top-tier links destinations. Now, with Rolex backing, that reputation is likely to expand even further.

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A New Era for Comporta

While the Algarve and Lisbon Coast have long dominated Portugal’s golf tourism, Comporta’s quieter, more refined appeal is carving out a niche of its own. The region has drawn attention from travellers looking for privacy, luxury, and understated beauty. With Rolex now part of the picture, the Dunas Course may well become a flagship for this new model of Portuguese golf travel.

This isn’t just a boost for a single property, it could shift perception of the entire west coast as a high-end golf destination.

Tradition Meets Innovation

The Dunas–Rolex partnership also speaks to a deeper alignment in values. Rolex is synonymous with tradition, precision, and longevity. The Dunas Course, though new, was built with those same principles in mind: a focus on timeless design, strategic play, and long-term environmental harmony.

It’s a pairing that feels less like marketing, and more like philosophy.

Raising the Bar for National Golf Identity

Portugal has long been viewed as a great place to play golf, but this partnership suggests it’s also becoming a great place to shape golf. Courses like Dunas, with international appeal and world-class design, help raise the country’s profile beyond just sunshine and affordability.

It’s about time Portugal was seen not only as a host, but as a benchmark.

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Source: https://golfbusinessnews.com/

Pedro Nunes Pedro — A New Era for Portuguese Golf

When Pedro Nunes Pedro was elected president of the Portuguese Golf Federation (FPG) in November 2024, the announcement came with a clear message: Portuguese golf would grow not just from the top, but from the grassroots up. Now, just a few months into his tenure, that philosophy is already taking shape.

Nunes Pedro inherits a sport with growing momentum. Portuguese players are appearing more frequently in international leaderboards. Interest in Portugal’s golf travel scene continues to surge. But behind the scenes, there’s still work to be done to expand access, improve training infrastructure, and engage the next generation of players, not only in the Algarve or Lisbon, but nationwide.

As of March 2025, his administration is moving ahead with a programme that balances practical investment with long-term development. It’s not a flash-and-fanfare approach. It’s foundational, and that might be exactly what Portuguese golf needs.

What’s on the Agenda

Shortly after taking office, Portuguese Golf Federation president Pedro Nunes Pedro outlined several immediate goals for the 2024–2028 term. These include:

• Finalising the 2025 operating budget to align with national development priorities

• Expanding training programmes for golf coaches to ensure consistent, high-quality instruction

• Investing in new public golf infrastructure, including pitch & putt areas, 9-hole courses, and driving ranges

• Strengthening school sports programmes to introduce golf to younger audiences

The emphasis? Scale. Not in headline-grabbing events, but in the number of people, especially youth, who touch a golf club for the first time.

Vision for Portuguese Golf

While Portugal is best known abroad for its golf resorts and championship-level experiences, Nunes Pedro’s vision is focused inward. His strategy centres on growing participation, creating access in underserved regions, and supporting players throughout their development, not just the elite few.

It’s a bet on sustainability: the idea that building a deeper national talent pool, supported by better coaching and community-level facilities, will lead to broader success over time.

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Competitive Ambitions Still in Focus

Despite the grassroots-first approach, Nunes Pedro hasn’t lost sight of elite competition. Among his stated goals:

• Continuing to host the Portuguese Open at Royal Óbidos in 2025, with ambitions to eventually restore its place on the DP World Tour

• Introducing a Ladies Access Series event in Portugal, expected in spring 2025, to strengthen opportunities for female players and build visibility in the women’s game

These aren’t distractions from development, they’re part of a broader strategy to elevate Portuguese golf across all levels.

A President with a Development Mandate

Pedro Nunes Pedro’s presidency may be in its early stages, but the direction is clear. If successful, his legacy won’t just be in tournaments or titles, but in the number of children introduced to golf, the number of coaches empowered to teach, and the number of regions with new facilities.

His term is a chance to turn momentum into infrastructure, and enthusiasm into access. And for Portuguese golf, that might prove more transformative than any single trophy.

Source: This article includes information originally reported by The Portugal News.