Tee Times

Bernardo Pinheiro German U18 Amateur Championship 2025

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Portuguese junior golfer Bernardo Pinheiro, representing Oporto Golf Club, delivered Portugal’s best performance at the German International Amateur Championship U18, finishing tied for 26th place. The event, hosted at GC Bad Saarow near Berlin, brought together top youth talent from across Europe, highlighting the growing depth of Portugal’s emerging golf generation.

The tournament ran over three rounds and concluded on May 17, 2025. Bernardo finished with an aggregate score of 226 (+10) after carding a final round of 77, sharing the 26th spot with three other players. This consistent showing follows on the heels of his solid T22 finish at the Italian International Championship just three weeks prior at Royal Park I Roveri in Turin, once again making him the top Portuguese performer.

Portuguese Girls Also Hold Their Own in Berlin

On the women’s side, Amélia Gabin (Quinta do Lago) and Inês Belchior (Comporta) also showed competitive spirit in the international field. Amélia posted a final round of 78 for a total of 230 (+11), finishing T28, while Inês recorded a 79 to close at 232 (+13) in a T35 finish.

Though outside the top tier, these finishes reflect the increasing consistency and international presence of Portugal’s young golfers in top amateur events.

Champions and Course Highlights

The tournament was dominated by Filip Grave of Sweden and Charlotte Naughton of England, both of whom maintained their leads from the final round to secure championship victories. Naughton, in particular, controlled the women’s division from start to finish.

The challenging setup at GC Bad Saarow tested players with its fast greens, tight approaches, and strategic hazards, offering valuable experience for rising talents competing on the international stage.

Looking Ahead for Portugal’s Youth Golfers

Bernardo Pinheiro’s back-to-back top finishes in Italy and Germany reinforce his growing reputation as one of Portugal’s most promising young golfers. As Portugal continues to invest in junior development and international exposure, results like these are stepping stones to future success at elite amateur and professional levels.

Spain’s Tourism Surge in Q1 2025

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Spain’s tourism industry has kicked off 2025 with a record-setting first quarter, and Golf holidays in the Costa del Sol are poised to reap the rewards. According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), over 17.1 million international tourists visited Spain between January and March 2025, a 5.7% year-on-year increase. Total tourism spend for Q1 soared to €23.5 billion, with March alone contributing over €9.1 billion.

Crucially for the golf travel market, average spending per visitor hit €1,382, while daily expenditure climbed to €188, signalling the rise of a more affluent, experience-driven tourist base. The UK remains Spain’s top source market, with over 3.1 million visitors, followed by France, Germany, and a notable 11% increase from the United States.

Explore our Costa del Sol Golf Holidays as well as our Car Hire and Transfer services for a seamless Costa del Sol golf experience.

Costa del Sol: Luxury, Leisure, and Golf Combine

Already famed for its 70+ golf courses, sunny climate, and coastal glamour, the Costa del Sol has emerged as one of the main beneficiaries of Spain’s Q1 tourism boom. Regions like Marbella, Estepona, and Benahavís are welcoming waves of high-spending visitors, many combining rounds of golf with luxury stays, fine dining, and beachfront leisure.

Golf resorts such as Los Flamingos, La Quinta, and Finca Cortesin are seeing increased interest, not just from players, but also from international travellers exploring golf-and-stay experiences and second-home opportunities. The sharp rise in short-term rentals, especially near golf courses, further reflects the segment’s growing appeal.

From Tee Time to Property Investment

Spain’s shift toward year-round quality tourism is creating a unique window for both holidaymakers and real estate investors. Many golf resorts now cater to dual-purpose travellers, those who arrive for sport and leave considering a long-term foothold.

Luxury communities such as Cabo Bermejo, Torre Bermeja, and areas along the New Golden Mile are seeing upticks in rental demand and property viewings, thanks to the region’s reputation for wellness, security, and recreational lifestyle.

Golf Holidays and Off-Season Travel

Spain’s government continues to promote seasonal diversification and regional tourism, which bodes well for golf-centric destinations. Unlike sun-and-beach travel, golf tourism thrives outside the peak summer months, offering visitors mild temperatures, quieter greens, and lower rates during spring and autumn.

This aligns perfectly with the preferences of UK-based golf travellers, many of whom seek flexible tee time bookings, scenic coastal courses, and an escape from northern Europe’s colder months.

Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

With Spain maintaining strong momentum in infrastructure, visa policy, and destination marketing, the Costa del Sol golf holiday sector is set for further growth. As premium beachfront and golf-side inventory tightens, those booking early, or investing now, are well positioned to capitalise on rising demand.

For golfers seeking a mix of lifestyle, sport, and sun-drenched scenery, Spain’s 2025 tourism boom isn’t just a headline, it’s a golden opportunity.

Portugal’s First Fairmont Golf Resort

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Fairmont Victoria Golf Resort Portugal: Vilamoura’s Golf Flagship Reinvented

A new chapter is underway for one of Vilamoura’s crown jewels. The Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, long admired for its location beside the iconic Victoria Golf Course, soon to be renamed the Els Club Vilamoura, is being reimagined as the first Fairmont-branded hotel in Portugal.

As of 30 April 2025, global hospitality group Accor assumed management of the 260-room property, marking the beginning of a bold transformation. With a full renovation now in motion, the resort will soon join the prestigious Fairmont Hotels & Resorts portfolio, known globally for delivering refined luxury rooted in local culture. For golf travellers with an eye for comfort, consistency, and course access, this is a story worth following closely.

The property already features four restaurants, four bars, multiple outdoor pools, a gym, and a spa with six treatment rooms. Every room and suite includes a private balcony, and its expansive conference centre can host up to 700 guests, making it ideal not only for leisure breaks, but for high-end events, golf retreats, and society travel. As the resort undergoes its transformation, these features are being enhanced under Accor’s direction, with the Fairmont rebranding expected to complete in 2026.

But what truly sets this hotel apart is its proximity to the Els Club Vilamoura, formerly the Victoria Course and host of the Portugal Masters. Now a private members-only course designed by Ernie Els, it offers guests the rare opportunity to play one of the Algarve’s most prestigious layouts, steps from their room.

This development is more than cosmetic. It signals Vilamoura’s continued rise as the beating heart of luxury golf in Portugal. Already a mainstay in Algarve golf holidays, Vilamoura is being redefined, less as a sun-and-golf stopover, and more as a complete lifestyle destination. The arrival of the Fairmont brand only reinforces this trajectory.

According to Fairmont CEO Omer Acar, the company is “thrilled” to debut in Portugal through this flagship project, calling Vilamoura “one of the country’s most exciting and sought-after destinations.” The sentiment is echoed by property owner Arrow Global Group, whose long-term strategy is to create a multi-layered leisure, sports, and hospitality hub in Vilamoura. The result is a destination that blends international standards with authentic local experiences.

Guests won’t just be drawn to the greens. Beyond the fairways, the Algarve offers hiking along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, oyster tastings in the Ria Formosa, and day trips to the market town of Loulé, all easily reached from the resort. And with Faro Airport just 30 minutes away, access remains effortless.

For those planning golf holidays in Portugal for late 2025 or 2026, the Fairmont Victoria Golf Resort Portugal is poised to become a flagship experience: high-spec, well-located, and rooted in the best of Algarve golf.

Explore our full range of Vilamoura golf holiday packages