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The 13th edition of the Sporting Golf Summer Open brought together 92 players, families, and guests for two days of competition and camaraderie at the renowned Amendoeira Golf Resort in Silves. Held in early August, the event drew golfers from 32 clubs across Portugal, from the north and centre to Lisbon and the Algarve, as well as several international guests, particularly from Italy.

The tournament kicked off with a full round on the O’Connor Course, played in excellent conditions under a hot summer sun. Following the first day’s play, participants gathered for a convivial dinner and prize ceremony, with entertainment provided by live music from Zélia Almeida. The evening ended with the traditional tômbola, where 83 prizes, ranging from golf gear and fine wines to travel vouchers, were raffled off. A special painting donated by club member José Reis was awarded to Fernando Guerra in a final draw.

The second day saw the competition move to Amendoeira’s Pitch & Putt course, where players tested their short game on the resort’s diverse sports complex. The two-day format offered a mix of standard and short-form golf, creating an inclusive atmosphere ideal for both serious competitors and recreational players.

Tournament Highlights

In the main O’Connor event, Rogério Beatriz won the Net category with 41 points, followed by Manuel Trindade and Fernando Flores Santos (both with 38). The Gross category was won by Bernardo Silva Carvalho with 29 points.

In the women’s division, Maria Pereira topped the Net leaderboard with 36 points, while Arminda Von Kaenel claimed the Gross title with 27 points.

Among international guests, Italian players stood out:

• Matteo Balzer won Net (37 points), with Pedro Jerónimo and Luís do Pão following.

• Walter Faustini dominated the Gross category with 38 points.

• In the women’s guest division, Sonia Dubois and Teresa Melo Cabral shared the top Net score of 27 points, with Carlotta Balzer winning Gross with 21.

On the final day’s Pitch & Putt event, Paulo Azevedo claimed victory with 53 strokes, trailed by Paulo Jorge Alves (55) and Maurício Farinha (57). In the guest bracket, José Melo Cabral matched the winning score of 53, edging out Domingos Sousa Silva with 55.

As is tradition with Sporting Golf tournaments, players were also awarded for longest drives and precision shots across all 18 holes of the O’Connor layout, adding an extra layer of excitement and technical challenge.

A Celebration of Golf and Community

More than just a competition, the Sporting Golf Summer Open highlighted what makes Portugal such a standout destination for golf lovers: excellent courses, strong club culture, and a spirit of hospitality that blends competitive sport with shared experience. From family-friendly gatherings to post-round cocktails and live music, the event showcased how Portugal continues to deliver golf with character.

Want to experience Amendoeira for yourself? Explore our Algarve Golf Holidays to discover packages that include the O’Connor and Faldo courses, ideal for both social rounds and serious play.

The final round of the International Pairs Portugal 2025 took place on 19 July at Quinta do Perú Golf & Country Club, concluding a fiercely competitive series of qualifiers held across the country. The national final brought together Portugal’s top amateur pairs, all vying for the chance to represent their nation at one of the most prestigious events in amateur golf.

Rising to the top were Gonçalo Belchior and Mateus Costa, representing Team OLIVIER, who secured 1st place and booked their spot at the International Pairs World Final in Sun City, South Africa, with all expenses covered. They’ll go head-to-head with amateur champions from more than 30 countries, a proud moment for both the players and Portuguese golf as a whole.

Now in its third decade, the International Pairs tournament has grown into a global celebration of amateur talent. For Portugal, events like this are not just competitive fixtures, they’re proof of the country’s continued investment in grassroots golf and its rising profile on the international stage. With initiatives like these gaining traction, Portugal is steadily cementing its reputation not just for scenic fairways, but for serious talent.

The day also saw strong performances from Team MRT Auditores (Hugh Thomson & José Gonçalves Roberto), who finished second, and Team G-FORCE (Grace Xiao & Shane O Laochadha), who placed third. Xiao also picked up the Nearest the Pin award, while Guilherme Jerónimo claimed Longest Drive.

If you’d like to experience Quinta do Perú and other top courses in the area for yourself, be sure to explore our Lisbon Golf Holidays page for exclusive golf packages in the region.

Portugal’s leading golf export, Ricardo Melo Gouveia, wrapped up a challenging two-week swing in the United States with a T57 finish at the Barracuda Championship, a PGA Tour event famed for its high-altitude views and unconventional scoring. Played at the Old Greenwood Course in California’s Sierra Nevada region, the championship marked an opportunity for select DP World Tour players to test their skills against top American talent.

This event was more than just another tournament, it was a proving ground. Featuring a rare modified stableford format, it rewarded bold, attacking play and punished hesitation. For Melo Gouveia, it was a chance to represent Portugal on one of golf’s most competitive stages, strengthening his presence on the PGA radar while showcasing the quiet resilience that has defined his rise in European golf.

A Solid Finish in Challenging Conditions

The Barracuda Championship is no standard stroke play affair. Its scoring system incentivises risk-taking: eight points for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, zero for par, minus one for a bogey, and minus three for a double or worse. Over four rounds, Melo Gouveia accumulated +18 points, finishing in a tie with England’s Callum Shinkwin and American Pierceson Coody.

On the final day, he posted four birdies, a bogey, and a double bogey, typical of the format’s rollercoaster nature. It was a performance that demonstrated both flashes of brilliance and the fine margins that separate contenders from the chasing pack in elite-level golf.

Competing on Two Fronts

This result followed his appearance at the ISCO Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also flew the Portuguese flag high on U.S. soil. Both events were strategically placed during the same fortnight as the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship in Europe, offering a vital alternative platform for DP World Tour players to gain PGA experience and ranking points.

For Melo Gouveia, participation in these events shows not just ambition but consistency. These appearances serve as critical stepping stones toward deeper PGA Tour integration, and a potential full-time transition to the U.S. circuit, a move that would elevate the international profile of Portuguese golf considerably.

Looking Ahead

While the leaderboard may not reflect a headline-making finish, the value of exposure, experience, and adaptability in foreign playing conditions cannot be overstated. Every round played on American soil sharpens Ricardo’s game and raises Portugal’s visibility in the global golf conversation.

As Portugal’s golf scene continues to grow, bolstered by world-class courses and homegrown talent, performances like these help bridge the gap between local passion and international recognition. Whether it’s a marquee tournament or a quiet birdie on the back nine, Ricardo Melo Gouveia remains Portugal’s ambassador to the world of golf.