In the eastern Algarve, far from dense resort developments, Castro Marim Golf & Country Club unfolds across open hills shaped more by wind and sun than by construction. This is Algarve golf in a quieter register, where the landscape sets the tone and the built environment steps back.
The course stretches over 27 holes, divided into the Grouse, Guadiana and Atlântico loops. Fairways are framed by native vegetation that acts as a natural corridor for wildlife. Partridges move in small groups along the rough. Rabbits and hares appear at first light. A wide range of birdlife circles above the greens and settles near the lakes. Regular players often recognise specific families of partridges that return to the same feeding areas morning and late afternoon.
One recent visitor stood out. A young Iberian lynx spent time within the perimeter of the course, briefly disappearing before returning accompanied by a female. Its presence, calmly observed and documented, underscored the ecological continuity of this part of the Sotavento.
Winter mornings bring frost across the fairways, and the first tee shots share space with wildlife searching for food. Around the water hazards, ducks and moorhens gather, adding movement to the still air. Wild boar occasionally pass through at night, an unwelcome but infrequent reminder that this is still shared terrain.
Castro Marim Golf also remains active on the competitive calendar, hosting events such as the Southern Circuit tournament of the National Senior Golf Association of Portugal. Yet even during competition, the defining feature is the setting itself. In this corner of the Algarve, golf and landscape coexist with minimal interruption.
With contributions of Valdemar Afonso
