Vilamoura hosting Portugal Masters with a profusion of Word-Class Golf players

Portugal Masters 2017

Portugal Masters 2017

The Portugal Masters, a European Tour golf tournament is set to begin in Vilamoura from 21st to 24th of September, 2017. A large group of Europe’s leading golfers has affirmed their interest in this great tournament which will happen in Victoria Golf Course.

Vilamoura is a resort in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. It’s known for its large marina, top quality golf courses, is casino, and for many sandy beachs.

Padraig Harrington – three-time Major Champion will return to Vilamoura and Victoria Golf Course, to safeguard his title alongside Andy Sullivan who took the title in 2015. On the other hand, Shown Lowry is coming back to the scene of his first European Tour as a professional.

Danny Willett, 2016 Masters Tournament Champion, will be also in Vilamoura, onboarding additional Major-winning expertise to the Victoria Golf Course, Portugal Masters occasion. He is joined by two energizing youthful gifts, Matt Fitzpatrick and Thomas Pieters – both multiple European Tour winners who won the 2016 Ryder Cup as team mates.

In a statement, Harrington expressed his delight in returning to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters to defend his title. Harrington’s storied profession incorporates triumphs at The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008, the US PGA Title around the same time and six Ryder Cups appearances. The Irishman took the 2016 Portugal Masters on the Victoria Golf Course in noteworthy form, fixing his first European Visit title in eight years.

Vilamoura Victoria Golf Course

Vilamoura Victoria Golf Course

“Last year’s win was exceptionally fulfilling, and I was satisfied to add the title to my rundown of competition triumphs. I felt relaxed all week and awesome around the greens. It’s an occasion I’m particularly anticipating,” said Harrington, who has triumphed 15 times on the European Tour.

Lowry burst on to the scene in 2009, when he won the Irish Open as a novice, and his triumph in Vilamoura at Victoria Golf Course three years after secured his place in history as just the second player to win European Tour titles as both an amateur and a professional. He secured the greatest win of his career in 2015 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

He further stated: “This will dependably be a unique occasion for me. I was over the moon to get my first professional win on such a lofty occasion, and I’m anticipating returning to Vilamoura this year.”

Sullivan stated: “I have some remarkable recollections of this occasion in Algarve, especially from 2015. To win any trophy is phenomenal yet to take a title in Europe, before such a significant number of loved ones, was something exceptional. I can hardly wait for the comeback in September.”

On the other hand, Sullivan is anticipating his 6th appearance in Victoria Golf Course at a competition where he has delighted in huge accomplishment as of late. The Englishman seized the title in 2015 – his third win of the season following the South African Open and the Joburg Open – before completing second behind a resurgent Harrington a year ago.

Willett also will be returning to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters for the first time since 2014. He is the first English player since Sir Nick Faldo to won the Green Jacket when he triumphed at Augusta National last year.

The five-time European Tour victor has an incredible record in the competition, with three best ten completes in five appearances. “It’s been a couple of years since I’ve teed it up in Vilamoura and I’m anticipating it. It is a place where I’ve played well over the years, and so I’m hoping for a good week,” he stated.

In the interim, his comrade Fitzpatrick is making his Portugal Masters debut. The 22-year-old appreciated a stellar 2016 battle, adding more triumphs at the Nordea Masters and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai to his maiden title at the 2015 British Masters. He additionally joined fellow Ryder Cup debutants Pieters, Sullivan, and Willet at Hazeltine a year ago.

Fitzpatrick further expressed his delight: “I’m eager to be playing at the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura for the first time. It’s a competition that I’ve heard a lot about, and I’m anticipating an awesome week in Portugal.”

Pieters, a Belgian and a three-time European Tour winner, has been at the peak of his form this season, with three best ten completes on the European Tour – including fourth place at the Masters.

Pieters put a record at Hazeltine when he became the first European Ryder Cup rookie to scoop four points after playing every match.

Padriag Harrington - Winner 2016

Padriag Harrington – Winner 2016

“This will be the fourth year in succession for me in VilamouraAlgarve, and it’s a place that I appreciate returning to. I’m pleased to be teeing it up at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course once more,” he stated.

Dom Pedro Golf offers five championship golf courses in the Algarve, Vilamoura´s renowned five – Victoria Golf Course (host of the World Cup in 2005 and Portugal Masters since 2007), The Old Course Golf Club, Pinhal Golf Course, Laguna Golf Course and Millennium Golf Course.

Tickets for the upcoming 2017 Portugal Masters, including hospitality bundles and packages, are accessible at europeantour.com/tickets.

MONTE REI. The best golf courses in Portugal. Created by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2007

Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

We (Carlos Ferreira, Tomas Carlota, Graca Vinhas Carter and yours truly Doug Smith) were there on Friday 28th. 2017, representing Tee Times Golf Agency, to help celebrate Monte Rei’s 10th anniversary.

It was an extremely hot day but from the moment of arrival at the assisted club drop to the warm welcome at reception by the Director of Golf, Darren Griffiths, the standards were impeccable.

Set in the picturesque foothills of the Eastern Algarve, with sweeping views of the Serra do Calderon mountains to the North and the Atlantic Ocean to the South, this is the perfect place to visit and to play golf.

The course measures 6567m from the championship tees but thankfully we were playing from the ‘gold’ tees (no yellows here). Each hole is cocooned in its own golfing wonderland and never another player in sight. My own favorites are the 13th and 14th holes. The par 4, 13th descends towards the stunning backdrop of a natural lake and then the lake borders the par 3 14th on the left. Truly wonderful. The whole course was in exceptional condition and the greens were receptive and immaculate. But this is no pushover. You need your very best game to score well on this course.

But, the wonderful golfing experience was not the end of it. After a fantastic shower and change of clothes in the luxurious changing facilities, it was onto the terrace to be greeted by champagne and music. The whole terrace, with stunning views over the golf course, was dotted with food stations and attentive staff with trays of snacks and drinks. A never-ending bar served drinks throughout the evening. And as the evening drew on, the live music gathered momentum and everyone was really enjoying themselves.

What a fantastic day. Thank you to Monte Rei and thank you to Carlos Ferreira owner and CEO of Tee Times Golf Agency, the best golf holiday organizer in Portugal.

Foral Cup Tournament, & BBQ at Chez Carlos Rest.

The Venue was the Vale do Lobo Royal golf course, on Saturday 8th July, with a field of 20 golfers competing for the second biggest trophy in the Chez Carlos Golf Society calendar, which is played for on an annual basis, the Foral Cup.
The trophy was donated and the prizes sponsored by our friend and Society member, Tracey McCall.

Foral Cup Winner 2016

Rosangela Barbosa de Gois – Winner 2017

Trophy Foral Cup

Trophy Foral Cup

The weather was hot and sunny and the Royal golf course was in splendid condition. The fairways were good and the greens were true and running moderate to quick. The competition was hot and some good scores were on the cards. There were 2 nearest the pin prizes, the first at the 7th hole, a lovely par 3 125mt over a small lake was won by John Gibson and the second at the 9th hole again 100mt shot over the water was won by Andy Robinson. The ‘Longest Drive’ on the 17th hole an uphill fairway was won by our youngest player, Stuart Graham, with was a fantastic shot, about 240 mt center of the fairway.

Andy Robinson - Second Classified

Andy Robinson – Second Classified

Tony Roberts - Third Classified

Tony Roberts – Third Classified

In the main prizes, 3rd and 4th places were decided by countback with Tony Roberts winning over Tom Taylor by a better back 9 on 33 points. Second place was a wonderful steady handicap score of 36 points by Andy Robinson, playing off a handicap of 4. But the day belonged to Rosangela Gois who stormed the field to take the Foral Cup Trophy with a wonderful 38 points. Well done Rosangela.

Award Delivery
Award delivery

Award Delivery

Afterwards, there was a wonderful social dinner and prize giving event at the Chez Carlos restaurant where everyone had a great time, not least Rosangela, who accepted the trophy with huge delight. Well done to Tracey McCall and to the Chez Carlos Golf Society. Same again next year please.

Group of players Foral Cup 2017

Group of players Foral Cup 2017