Royal Obidos

Open de Portugal: largest participation ever at Royal Obidos

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The 62nd edition of the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos stands out for having the largest list of participants since the event, organized by the PGF.

BY HUGO RIBEIRO

The 62nd edition of the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos stands out for having the largest list of participants since the event, organized by the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe (FPG), began being held at the course designed by the late Seve Ballesteros in 2020.

In that year, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 120 players, which increased to 132 in 2021 and 144 in 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, the number will rise to 156 players, restoring the number from the editions held at the Morgado Golf Resort in the Algarve between 2017 and 2019.

The Open de Portugal will take place from September 12th to 15th, with the always popular Pro-Am kicking off tomorrow (the 11th) at the Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort.

It is the most important Portuguese golf tournament and one of the oldest on the European professional circuit calendar, dating back to 1953.

This year, it offers prize money totaling 270,000 euros and awards points for the Challenge Tour ranking (Race to Mallorca), the Official World Golf Ranking, and the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

The FPG tournament was one of the founding events of the European Tour (now DP World Tour), which was founded in 1972.

Due to a lack of funding, it wasn’t held from 2011 to 2016, but it was revived in 2017 and has since played a key role in the national golf development program.

The Challenge Tour’s commitment to bringing so many players back to Portugal in 2024 indicates the tournament’s prestige. After last year’s struggles to keep it alive, all partners worked together to ensure its survival in 2024.

Open de Portugal in detail

“One of the major goals for 2024 was to hold the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos. The reduction of state support by around 80,000 euros last year could have definitively impacted the event this year. However, with increased support from Royal Óbidos and the European Tour, along with efforts to strengthen partnerships, we made it possible. It was difficult and at risk, but here we are,” said FPG president Miguel Franco de Sousa.

“It is the only major professional event held in Portugal, and everyone should aim to increase the number of major golf events in the country, as the sector’s impact on the national economy cannot be ignored. According to numbers shared by the National Golf Industry Council (CNIG) president, Nuno Sepúlveda, golf’s contribution to the Portuguese economy now exceeds 4 billion euros. At the FPG, we will do everything to bring back tournaments on the DP World Tour, the Ladies European Tour, satellite circuits, or other large-scale events to showcase our courses and country to the world,” added Franco de Sousa.

In this 62nd Open de Portugal, quantity is matched by quality. Last year, it featured perhaps the best edition ever of the Challenge Tour (European professional golf’s second division), with eight of the top 10 players in the ‘Race to Mallorca.’

This year is the same, with seven members of that elite group, and only the eighth is missing because Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen moved up to the DP World Tour (Europe’s top division) last Sunday.

As highlighted by LUSA news agency this morning, “the spotlight is on the experienced Englishman John Parry, ranked second in the ‘Road to Mallorca,’ the Challenge Tour’s rankings. He has already won two titles at the Deli Challenge and the Blot Open in Brittany this season. Along with the 37-year-old Brit, the only Portuguese tournament eligible for the Challenge Tour will also feature Danish player Hamish Brown, ranked 4th in the ‘Road to Mallorca,’ Spaniard Joel Moscatel (5th), Swede Mikael Lindberg (6th), South African Robin Williams (7th), Frenchman Alexander Levy (8th), and Englishman Jack Senior (10th).”

The number two in the Challenge Tour ranking, John Parry, is one of two players at Óbidos who have already won two titles this season. The other is Spaniard Joel Moscatel. A third title in 2024 would automatically propel them to the DP World Tour, Europe’s top division. This happened to Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen last week when he won the Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG and moved up to Europe’s first division.

This feat, winning three titles in a single season on the Challenge Tour, hasn’t been achieved since 2017, and the Scandinavian’s success will surely motivate Parry and Moscatel even further to do the same. Parry won the Delhi Challenge in March (India) and the Blot Open Brittany in June (France), while Moscatel claimed the Challenge España in May and the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in June (France).

The Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos will feature nine players who have won a total of 11 titles from the 22 tournaments held so far in 2024 on the Challenge Tour. It will be a summit of champions!

In addition to John Parry and Joel Moscatel, we have the names of Rhys Enoch (Wales), winner of the SDC Open in South Africa in February; Bjorn Akesson (Sweden), champion of the NMB Championship in South Africa in February; Mikael Lindberg (Sweden), winner of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open, in South Africa in February; Jonathan Goth-Rasmussen (Denmark), the top finisher in the Challenge de Cádiz, Spain, in June; Hamish Brown (England), winner of the Kaskáda Golf Challenge in the Czech Republic in June; Frank Kennedy (England), who triumphed at the Euram Bank Open in Austria in July; and Christopher Blomstrand (Sweden), who prevailed at the Vierumaki Finnish Challenge in Finland in August.

Photo by: Rodrigo Gatinho (Federação Portuguesa de Golfe).

Severiano Ballesteros and his undying love for Portugal

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Severiano Ballesteros is celebrated as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Born on April 9, 1957, in Pedreña, Spain, Ballesteros’ influence on the sport transcends national boundaries, and his fondness for Portugal played a significant role in his illustrious career.

“Seve” first made his mark in Portugal at 17, when he competed professionally at the Estoril Golf Course, his first tournament out of Spain. This historic course, renowned for its challenging layout and picturesque scenery, was more than just a stage for Seve to showcase his talent and love for the game. It was a place that held a special place in his heart, a place that he always carried with him. In Estoril, a bond was formed, a love affair with Portugal that would endure throughout his life and career.

Severiano Ballesteros’ Portuguese designs

Ballesteros’ impact on Portuguese golf is not just significant; it’s monumental. He designed three prestigious golf courses in the country: Royal Óbidos, Quinta do Vale, and Porto Santo Golfe. These courses, each a testament to his skill and vision, have left an indelible mark on the Portuguese golfing landscape.

Royal Óbidos, Severiano Ballesteros’ final project, is a par-72 championship course that is a testament to his design philosophy. It offers a stern test for even the most accomplished golfers, with strategic water hazards and challenging shots that reflect Seve’s flair and creativity. With its elegant atmosphere, the modern clubhouse provides the perfect setting for players to reflect on their game. Like all of Seve’s designs, this course is not just a place to play golf but a place to experience the game in all its beauty and challenge.

Quinta do Vale, located near the Spanish border, is another testament to Seve’s design genius. This course features long holes, generous fairways, and complex greens, demanding precision and strategy from players. The hilly terrain adds a layer of difficulty, making it a favourite among those seeking a rigorous golfing challenge. The 15th hole is particularly memorable with its stunning view of the Guadiana River.

Porto Santo Golfe, spanning from beach dunes to basalt cliffs, epitomizes Seve’s vision of blending natural beauty with a challenging game. The club offers two distinct designs: the South Course, with its lakes, and the cliff-top North Course, which offers diverse playing experiences. The accompanying nine-hole pitch-and-putt course and driving range enhance its appeal. The clubhouse, harmoniously integrated into the landscape, exemplifies Seve’s dedication to environmental sustainability and aesthetic harmony.

All of them are part of the list of courses that we offer at Tee Times Golf Agency for those who wish to enjoy their Portugal golf holidays playing at the highest level.

Seve also contributed to the promotion of golf in Portugal through his company, Amen Corner, which organized the Algarve Open many times and the Madeira Open. Although he never won a tournament in Portugal, his presence and influence were deeply felt, and his affection for the country was reciprocated by golf enthusiasts.

Seve: an eternal champion

Severiano Ballesteros overcame numerous challenges throughout his career, securing three Open Championships (1979, 1984, 1988), two Masters titles (1980, 1983), five Ryder Cups, 50 European Tour titles, and countless other victories, accumulating 91 professional wins. 

He has also been named a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, World Player of the Year (by Golf Digest), European Player of the Century, World Athlete Most Influential in Changing the Game, Lifetime Achievement Award, BBC Sports Personality Award and much more.

His charismatic playing style and relentless drive endeared him to fans worldwide, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of golfers.

In late 2006, Severiano Ballesteros announced his intent to join the senior tour but retired from professional golf in July 2007. His health began to decline following a brain tumour diagnosis in October 2008. Despite undergoing several surgeries, Seve passed away on May 7, 2011, at the age of 54. His legacy, a testament to his victories, course designs, and the lasting impact he had on the game of golf, continues to inspire and shape the future of the sport, as well as his special connection with Portugal. His legacy is not just a memory but a living, breathing force that continues to shape the world of golf.

Photo by: Daily Mail.

Portugal Golf – International Pairs Golf Final returns to Portugal

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International Pairs Golf Óbidos 2023. Portugal hosts another International Pairs Golf final.

International Pairs Golf Final returns to Portugal for the 4th time in 7 years

The International Pairs Golf World Final 2023 will be held at Royal Óbidos and Bom Sucesso, in the Lisbon region, from 6 to 10 November.

Armandt Scholtz, managing director of International Pairs Golf, says that Portugal “has always been a great place for the event, with its beautiful golf courses, friendly people, and lively culture”, and that “the International Pairs tournament has had the privilege of hosting previous finals in the Algarve from 2017-2019″.

For a number of reasons, Portugal stood out as an outstanding choice for the event’s final. To begin, Portugal has become a well-known golf destination that draws golf fans worldwide. The country has a huge number of excellent golf courses with a wide range of landscapes and difficult layouts that appeal to both amateur and professional players.

According to Armandt Scholtz: “There are many economic, cultural, and publicity benefits for Portugal that come from hosting the International Pairs World Final: the event brings a lot of people to the area, which creates jobs, brings in more tax money, and helps the business grow in general. It makes the country more well-known in the world of golf and has a good effect on tourism, local businesses, and community involvement”.

The managing director of the competition also says that the tournament brings business opportunities in the hospitality, food and beverage, retail, transport, tourism, sponsorship, advertising and event services sectors.

Scholtz affirms that golf is very important to tourism and could have a big effect on the industry. Over the holidays, golfers tend to stay longer so they have time to try out new courses while they move around the country.

Another interesting statistic is that golf generally attracts “high value” tourists who have a higher disposable income and are willing to spend a little more during their golf holiday. This plays an important role in the overall growth of the economy of a region.

Check out Tee Times Golf Agency in order to play on the best golf courses in Portugal with outstanding green fees and you’ll find the best deals for your next golf holidays.

You can also read other posts about Golf in Portugal:
Marco Penge wins Open de Portugal 2023
Open de Portugal 2023 guide
2023 Absolute National Championship of Portugal