Golf

Discover the Best Golf Experience in Costa Blanca

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Costa Blanca is a prime destination for golfers seeking the perfect blend of stunning landscapes and a world-class golfing experience. With its beautiful coastline, warm Mediterranean climate, and rich cultural heritage, the region offers an ideal setting for any golf holiday. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, Costa Blanca’s variety of golf courses promises a challenging and enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels.

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The allure of Costa Blanca lies in its diverse selection of golf courses, each designed to showcase the natural beauty of the region. Golfers can enjoy rounds with stunning views of rolling hills, coastal scenery, and lush greenery. These courses are tailored to suit players of all abilities, offering a range of challenges that keep the game exciting while allowing for a memorable and scenic experience.

Costa Blanca’s exceptional climate makes it a standout destination for year-round golf. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, the region provides ideal playing conditions regardless of the season. Whether you prefer a sunny summer round or a quieter game in the mild off-season, the Mediterranean weather ensures that every golfing day is enjoyable.

Costa Blanca offers endless opportunities for golfers to customize their ideal getaway. Combine your rounds of golf with exploring charming local towns, enjoying Mediterranean cuisine, or simply relaxing by the coast. With personalized golf packages available, it’s easy to design the perfect holiday that balances sport, leisure, and relaxation in this stunning region.

Book your unforgettable golf holiday in Costa Blanca today with Tee Times Golf Agency!

Newsletter: Golfing in the Sun

 

Six Portugal’s designs compete for Europe’s Best Golf Course 2024 at the World Golf Awards

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Portugal’s golf courses are once again in the spotlight as candidates for the prestigious Europe’s Best Golf Course 2024, a distinction granted by the World Travel Awards. This year, six great golf destinations are contending for the title, showcasing the country’s continued excellence in golf and tourism. The 11th annual World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony will take place on the evening of November 22, 2024, at the Savoy Palace in Funchal, Madeira. Among the nominated courses, each one brings a unique blend of wild beauty and demanding play.

Best Golf Course 2024 candidates in detail

Club de Golfe Santo da Serra, with its stunning vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and lush landscapes, stands out as one of Madeira’s most picturesque courses. Its reputation for challenging holes and its history of hosting European Tour events make it a must-visit for golf enthusiasts.

Palheiro Golf, another gem in Madeira, is set amidst a lush garden estate. It offers both historical charm and sweeping views of Funchal Bay. Its elevated tees and undulating greens provide golfers with a mix of leisure and challenge.

Porto Santo Golfe, nestled on the serene island of Porto Santo, is a true coastal paradise. Crafted by the legendary Seve Ballesteros, this course marries striking coastal vistas with a layout that demands technical prowess, making it a dream destination for golfers seeking beauty and challenge.

Quinta do Lago (South Course), located in the Algarve, is renowned for its championship layout. Regularly ranked as one of Europe’s top golf courses, the South Course has hosted the Portuguese Open multiple times. It is lauded for its precision-demanding fairways and beautiful setting among lakes and pine trees.

Terras da Comporta (Dunas Golf Course) offers an untamed natural environment with rolling dunes and seaside charm. Designed by renowned architect David McLay Kidd, the course is noted for its environmental harmony and provides a serene yet challenging round of golf.

Finally, West Cliffs Golf Links is a relatively new addition to Portugal’s golfing landscape. The rugged, coastal terrain offers a dramatic backdrop to this challenging links-style course, which has earned accolades for its design and environmental stewardship.

These Portuguese contenders are up against some of Europe’s finest, including SSpain’sFinca Cortesin Golf Club and La Reserva de Sotogrande, as well as iconic Scottish courses like Carnoustie Golf Links and the Old Course at St. Andrews. You can find the complete list here.

Tee Times nomination

In addition to these exceptional courses, Tee Times Golf Agency is once again nominated for Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator 2024. Established over 30 years ago, Tee Times has grown into one of the largest and most respected operators, specialising in golf tourism across Portugal, Spain, and beyond for the best golf holidays. The agency is a member of recognised associations such as the International Association of Golf Tour Operators and the Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies, ensuring top-tier service for its clients. Their commitment to excellence and passion for tourism and the best golf breaks continue to drive the company’s success, making them a key player in the industry. If you want, you can vote for Tee Times here.

As the November 22 ceremony approaches, the nominated for Europe’s Best Golf Course 2024 represent the best in Portuguese golf tourism, each deserving recognition for their contributions to the sport.

Golf impact: a booming billionaire industry fueling Portugal’s economy

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Golf impact: an article published last month by Diário de Notícias of Portugal, shows significant numbers for national economy.An article published last month by Diário de Notícias of Portugal, “Golf has an impact of four billion euros on the economy“, shows significant numbers, with figures revealing a doubling of its contribution since 2019, now reaching €4 billion. Under this context, the golf impact also supports the creation of 20,000 jobs. These insights, provided by the Conselho Nacional da Industria do Golfe (CNIG), are part of a finalised macroeconomic study. The reported amount includes direct golf course revenues and additional expenditures like buggy rentals, restaurants, hotels, vehicle rentals, and transfers.

Golf’s growth is closely tied to tourism, with 2023 seeing record indicators. Direct revenues grew by 4% from green fees alone, totalling €160 million. Foreign tourists represent 85% of all rounds, with the UK leading, followed by Sweden, Germany, and France. However, emerging markets like the US are slowly gaining ground, particularly in Lisbon, presenting significant opportunities for growth. CNIG’s president, Nuno Sepúlveda, notes, “The North American market continues to grow but still has a low presence.”

Golf impact and visitors

Despite the dominance of foreign players, local residents still contribute 15% of the rounds, especially in Porto, Lisbon, and the islands. Sepúlveda highlights the need to attract more players from the US, Canada, and Asia, stressing that many courses need updating, as “most of our courses are between 20 and 40 years old,” requiring renovation to meet the higher quality demands of these markets.

Another key issue raised is the need for government investment. “There’s little support, and, for example, in the PRR [Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan], the word ‘golf’ is not even mentioned,” the president laments. He stresses the strategic importance of golf, which brings in “high-quality markets, with long stays outside peak seasons.”

Finally, water scarcity is a looming threat, especially in the Algarve. Some courses risk closure unless desalination processes and water-saving measures are accelerated. “We can’t rely solely on rain,” Sepúlveda warns, adding, “golf courses only account for 6% of water consumption in the Algarve, and we have made significant improvements in irrigation efficiency.”

The complete article about golf impact on Portugal’s economy can be read here.

Photo by: Visit Algarve.