Both Portuguese Spanish golf courses are steeped in golfing history and play an integral part in the European golf tours every year.
Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Club
You need only look at the players in recent history who have come from both regions, and the golf courses that you can find there, to realize why it’s such an admired part of Europe. With Sergio García winning The Masters in 2017, and Jon Rahm surging through the ranks on the PGA Tour, 2018 is sure to be an exciting year for Spanish golf fans.
Portuguese Spanish golf courses
We’ve put together a list of the golf courses that will be hosting the professional tour or qualifying school tournaments in Spain and Portugal over the coming months. Although some are yet to be announced, the following are confirmed.
European Tour
The biggest golfing event in Portugal returns in 2018 to its home course, Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Club, in Vilamoura. The event, which will run between 20th-23rd September will as always host come of the tours biggest names – something the region is familiar with! The golf course was designed by none other than golfing legend, Arnold Palmer, and since 2007 it has been the proud home of the annual Portuguese Masters.
Real Club Valderrama
The Par-72 Championship layout, measuring 6.651 meters (7,273 yards), makes use of the natural wetlands and the typical vegetation of carob, olive and almond trees in the area. Lakes form a formidable hazard throughout the course – even for the skilled professional – hence why it has remained a popular test on the tour for over ten years. The course is also known for its contrasting front and back nine – with each side of the course offering its own type of challenge.
The 2017 edition of the event was won by Lucas Bjerregaard who carded a blistering final round 65 to finish on 20-under par, four clear of his nearest competitor – Marc Warren.
Andalucia Valderrama Masters
The Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande will host the 2018 Andalucia Valderrama Masters on the 18th-21st October. The tournament was first played here in 2010, and it previously hosted the Volvo Masters.
Gramacho Golf Club
After being canceled in 2012, the event returned to the region last year when it was hosted by local hero and 2011 champion Sergio García. García went on to win the event last year, and it will return in 2018 for what is set to be an amazing four days.
Valderrama is renowned as a tough Tour course that trails its way through the Sotogrande hills and meanders in between tightly clustered umbrella pine trees which makes for a tight, unforgiving test. Rather than being overly long, or having thick rough, Valderrama focuses on making sure that each shot a golfer takes has to be thought through meticulously – for some this is both the attraction and the fear when they play here.
Staysure Tour (Seniors Tour)
Qualifying School 2018
For the 18th consecutive year, the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School returns to the Pestana Golf Resort on Portugal’s Algarve.
Vale Pinta Golf Course
Taking place over three venues, the 2018 Qualifying School will include the first stage being conducted for 36 holes on Silves Golf Club and Gramacho Golf Club. After that, the Finals will be played over 72 holes of stroke play on the Pinta Course at Pestana Golf Resort.
Silves is a par 70 course nestled into the foot of the Monchique mountains, while Gramacho, a par 72 course co-designed by former World Number One Nick Price, has previously hosted the Portuguese Ladies Open.
Challenge Tour
Challenge de España
Details yet to be confirmed by the Tour. This tournament featured here in 2017 and was won by Victor Perez who claimed a maiden European Challenge Tour title in some style, shooting an impressive 24-under par over the four days and winning by three shots.
Silves Golf Club
Andalucía Costa del Sol Match Play 9
Details yet to be confirmed by the Tour. This tournament featured here in 2017 and was won by Aaron Rai who secured his second European Challenge Tour victory of the 2017 season by beating Ireland’s Gavin Moynihan 2&1 in the final match.
