Algarve Golf

Tee Times Golf Holidays Algarve – All things related to the region and city of Algarve in the south of Portugal. Great sunny weather, culture, traditions, food and awesome warm sandy white beaches and golf resorts are here.

Amendoeira Golf Resort: A luxury retreat in the Algarve for golf lovers

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Located in the heart of the central Algarve, the Amendoeira Golf Resort offers an unrivalled experience for golf and nature lovers looking for the best Portugal golf breaks. Just 15 minutes from the picturesque beaches of Armação de Pêra and 35 minutes from Faro Airport, this resort is home to two award-winning golf courses: the Faldo Course and the challenging O’Connor Jnr. Course. The resort also has an artificial lighting par 3 course, the only one in Portugal.

With elegant self-catering apartments and villas, vast sporting facilities and on-site dining alternatives, Amendoeira Golf Resort is the ideal destination for individual golfers, professional groups, and families looking for an unforgettable vacation in Portugal.

 

Amendoeira Golf Resort and two unique courses

Amendoeira Faldo, designed by Sir Nick Faldo in 2008, is an undulating golf course with elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers. Ideal for players with a medium-low handicap, it offers beautiful views of the Algarve countryside and a challenging experience that invites you to return. Faldo Design worked creatively with a decisive premise: to build a strategic Mediterranean desert-style golf course. And they got it.

On the other hand, the Amendoeira O’Connor Jnr, designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr. and also inaugurated in 2008, features a slightly undulating and longer course, with numerous water hazards and wide fairways. It is a jewel of Portuguese golf suitable for players with a medium or medium-low handicap, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Both the Faldo Course and the O’Connor Jnr. course are very popular destinations for the best Portugal golf breaks, and Tee Times Golf Agency offers packages including accommodation and unlimited golf at the Amendoeira Golf Resort. With its world-class courses and unparalleled natural environment, Amendoeira is a standout choice for golfers seeking a unique Algarve experience. Visit Portugal and discover the magic of golf in Amendoeira!

The road to 125 years of golf in Portugal: a journey through time

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Golf in Portugal has a rich history that dates back almost 125 years. The story began in 1890 when the Oporto Niblicks Golf Club, now Oporto Golf Club, emerged as the first course on the Iberian Peninsula and the fifth in continental Europe. 24 members gave life to the founding golf club in Portugal.

Initially enjoyed by Britons who had left their country, golf found its home near the mouth of the Douro River in Porto. By 1900, the golf course had expanded from 9 holes to 18. As the 20th century progressed, Lisbon also embraced golf, and the Lisbon Sports Club and Estoril Club created their courses, expanding the niche.

Today, the Oporto Golf Club honours its history. Its undulating holes wind through the Portuguese geography with the same charm as the holes on the best courses in the United Kingdom. Philip Mackenzie Ross remodelled the course in the late 1950s and was responsible for maintaining the original imprint.

 

Sir Henry Cotton’s vision to transform golf in Portugal

In the 1960s, Sir Henry Cotton’s vision transformed the Algarve by introducing the Penina Resort Championship course. At this crucial moment, it integrated golf into the region’s tourism offering, laying the foundation for future developments. Cotton also designed Vale do Lobo and one of the golf jewels in the south of the Algarve: Quinta de Benamor. A par 71 of 6,100 yards that shines among hills and leafy trees.

The late 1970s and 1980s saw a boom in golf courses in the Algarve, with iconic designs such as Palmares, Vilamoura Old Course, and San Lorenzo enriching the landscape. At the end of the 1980s, Portugal had 23 courses.

The 1990s saw a golf boom, which doubled the number of courses, surpassing 50 in the millennium. The Algarve remained a hotspot, but other regions, including the north, the central continent, Madeira and the Azores, joined the golf scene. In that decade, we founded Tee Times Golf Agency, offering Portugal golf breaks to worldwide golfers who began hiring our services.

As The Clubhouse Algarve Magazine explains, Oporto Golf Club proudly claims the Skeffington Cup, created in 1891, to be one of the world’s oldest continuously contested golf trophies. This rich history illustrates the development of the sport, becoming an integral part of Portugal’s culture and sport.

In 2024, we commemorate 75 years of the Portuguese Golf Federation as we approach the celebration of the 125 years of the Oporto Golf Club. Golf in Portugal is an example of a harmonious coexistence between sport and nature, with spectacular golf courses that serve as a perfect transition between land and sea. The century we live in promises to add more colour and personality to Portugal’s golf legacy. And we will be there, providing the best service for those who choose to enjoy their Portugal golf holidays with us.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Portugal’s golf courses offer something for everyone. From the Algarve’s stunning coastal courses to the Oporto’s historical courses, Portugal is a golfing paradise that should be on every golfer’s bucket list. So, why not book your next trip to play golf in Portugal today and experience the country’s rich golfing history for yourself?

Honouring golf and camaraderie in Quinta do Lago: highlights from the 7th Tee Times Open Championship

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January was marked by the 7th Tee Times Open Championship (19-21 January), bringing together 60 amateur golfers (in teams of two players) at the prestigious Quinta do Lago, which has some of the best golf courses in Portugal. 

Supported by sponsors like Hilton, Penina Resort, NAU Palm Village, Quinta do Vale, Espiche, Benamor and Quinta da Tor Wines, the championship showcased the golfing prowess of the players. The “Driving Range Heroes” team emerged victorious with Jim Gillis & Axel Bleymann’s outstanding performance, clinching the champions’ cup and fantastic prizes, including stays at Hilton Vilamoura and green fees in Quinta do Lago.

The camaraderie of the Tee Times Open Championship kicked off on January 18 with a warm welcome at Chez Carlos Restaurant, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament.

 

7th Tee Times Open Championship recap

Despite a rainy start at Quinta do Lago North, players enthusiastically navigated the challenging course. The competition continued at Quinta do Lago Laranjal, where strategic play was crucial on the picturesque, sun-soaked course surrounded by orange groves. Axel Bleymann’s remarkable hole-in-one on Laranjal’s second hole added an extra thrill to the event. 

The final showdown at Quinta do Lago South tested golfers with its natural surroundings overlooking Ria Formosa’s reserve. “Last Minute” claimed victory on the last day (John Balvers and Jorge Diogo), demonstrating resilience and skill. Each day featured unique formats, emphasising teamwork and individual prowess.

“Our Open Championship at Quinta de Lago was an excellent excuse to meet friends and clients. We faced three very demanding golf courses, especially in the first round, with adverse weather. Then the sun shone, and the weather was fantastic to enjoy these wonderful and well-prepared golf courses,” said Carlos Ferreira, CEO and founder of Tee Times Golf Agency.

“We celebrate our friendship and the work we have done for more than 30 years, providing golf and tourism services with professionalism and passion,” added Ferreira, who was grateful to the sponsors and those who organised the championship.

The Tee Times Open Championship celebrated exceptional golf and fostered fellowship and friendship among participants from England, Ireland, Netherlands, France and Portugal. The event showcased the beauty of golf in Portugal and the dedication of Tee Times Golf Agency, a key player in promoting golf and tourism in Portugal and Spain for over 30 years. With a legacy of excellent service, Tee Times continues to attract golf enthusiasts worldwide, solidifying its position as a trusted name in the industry.

 

FINAL RESULTS
1st Driving Range Heroes (Jim Gillis & Axel Bleymann) 110 points.
2nd Longman & Rothwell (Paul Longman & Neal Rothwell) 109 points.
3rd Urban Rhino (Michael Hall & Scott Couper) 106 points.