In northern Portugal, just a few minutes from Chaves and the Spanish border, Vidago Golf Club stands as one of the most inspiring stories in Portuguese golf. With a history spanning 57 years, the club is much more than a place to play. It is a symbol of resilience, community spirit and a deep love for the game.
Founded on 13 September 1969, the club originally had its home at the historic Vidago Palace Golf Course, a landmark venue that first opened in 1936. But when the famous course was redesigned and expanded from nine to eighteen holes in 2010, the costs associated with playing there became too high for many local members. Most were ordinary working people with modest financial resources, but they were determined not to lose access to the sport they loved.
Rather than give up, they chose another path. Under the leadership of club president António Manuel Carvalho Rodrigues, they purchased land in Camba, near Vidago. At the beginning, the site was little more than overgrown ground and a small ruin. Step by step, through volunteer effort, borrowed machinery and extraordinary determination, the members cleared the land and began shaping their own course.
First came four holes, then six, and eventually a full nine-hole layout. The small ruin was transformed into a warm and welcoming stone clubhouse. Officially inaugurated on 13 September 2009, the course is a par 71, with separate tees for each loop and additional tees prepared for Pitch & Putt competitions.
Set among mountains, green landscapes and traditional villages, the course offers a peaceful and distinctive setting. It also remains committed to accessibility, making golf available to people from different social backgrounds.
Today, Vidago Golf Club hosts monthly tournaments, interclub matches and events that attract players from different parts of Portugal, including Lisbon, as well as many golfers from nearby Spain. The club also continues to welcome younger players who are discovering the game there.
Behind this project are key figures such as vice-president Júlio Teixeira and director Rafael Martins, whose dedication has helped sustain the club’s growth. Vidago Golf Club is proof that with commitment, passion and collective effort, even the most ambitious dreams can become reality.
