The Algarve welcomed another elite field of rising talent this spring as Penina Golf Resort hosted the 2025 Portuguese International Ladies Amateur Championship. Organised by the Portuguese Golf Federation, this annual event has become one of the most respected on the European amateur circuit, both for its level of competition and the quality of its venues.

Taking place in ideal spring conditions, the 2025 edition brought together a diverse international field and delivered four days of high-calibre golf. Players faced off on one of the Algarve’s most iconic courses, with national pride, world amateur ranking points, and personal milestones all on the line.

The result? A week of pressure-tested golf, promising new faces, and yet another reason Portugal continues to shine on the competitive women’s golf map.

A Championship with History

Organised by the Portuguese Golf Federation (FPG), the Ladies Amateur Championship is part of the World Amateur Golf Ranking calendar and has long been a launchpad for future professionals. Its winners’ list includes names who have gone on to compete, and win, on the Ladies European Tour and LPGA.

By hosting the event at Penina, a course known for its strategic layout and historical significance, the championship offered a tough but fair test of competitive golf under pressure.

👉 Explore Portugal’s top golf courses

Penina Golf Resort – Still a Benchmark Venue

Located near Portimão, Penina Hotel & Golf Resort is often regarded as the spiritual home of golf in the Algarve. The course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton and has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the Portuguese Open.

For this year’s amateur championship, Penina delivered again: tight fairways, firm greens, and ideal Algarve spring conditions made for a compelling tournament atmosphere, one where course management and mental focus were just as important as shot-making.

A Spotlight on Rising Stars

While the final leaderboard told one story, the week offered many narratives. From up-and-coming Portuguese talent gaining international experience to visitors from Scandinavia, France, and Spain putting in strong performances, the championship continues to serve as an essential stepping stone for Europe’s brightest young players.

It’s not just about results, it’s about development. And events like this are key to keeping Portugal on the map as both a golf holiday destination and a serious player in tournament hosting.

Why It Matters

The Portuguese International Ladies Amateur Championship 2025 is more than a title, it’s part of a broader strategy to promote women’s golf at all levels in Portugal. By pairing world-class venues with top-tier competition, the country not only supports player development but reinforces its image as a dependable, aspirational place to play.

Whether you’re a competitive amateur, a casual player, or a golf traveller seeking quality experiences, Portugal continues to offer the full package.

👉 Book a golf holiday in the Algarve

Castro Marim Golf Resort Senior Tournament

On a clear and sunny day in April, Castro Marim Golf Resort played host to the third tournament of the 2024/2025 South Circuit of the Portuguese National Senior Golf Association (ANSG). With over 50 players competing across the Guadiana and Atlântico courses, the event showcased not only excellent conditions but the enduring energy of Portugal’s senior golfing community.

The tournament drew a diverse field of senior golfers, including many travelling from Lisbon and a strong contingent of international members based in the Algarve. Their commitment, some crossing the region from Barlavento to the Eastern Algarve, underscored just how meaningful these events are to the senior circuit.

The resort itself was in excellent shape, with players praising the fairways, greens, and overall experience. It was, in every sense, a celebration of senior golf: competitive, social, and anchored in one of the Algarve’s most scenic settings.

Highlights from the Leaderboard

The tournament saw competitive play across multiple categories:

• Gross Champion: James Thomson led the field with 28 points

• Net Winner: José Ramos Paulino took top honours with 39 points

• Runner-Up (Net): David Ziai, a consistent performer on the day, followed closely with 31 points

• Super Seniors: Hilderico Vaz claimed victory with 38 points, just edging out João Jacinto Silva with 37

• Master Seniors (75+): Renato Farias and Armando Bernardo both posted 38 points, with Farias taking the top spot on countback

• Women’s Division: Stacey Thomas emerged as the winner with 30 points, followed by Josette Renzi, also with 30, decided by countback

The strength of the women’s division reflected the growing participation of expat members, many of whom made the trip from the western Algarve to compete.

A Showcase for Senior Golf in Portugal

Beyond the scores, the event was a reminder that senior golf in Portugal is thriving. The ANSG’s South Circuit continues to attract long-time residents, domestic travellers, and foreign members alike, offering more than just competitive golf, but a real sense of community.

The friendly-yet-focused spirit of these events has made them a staple of the national calendar, particularly in regions like the Algarve, where courses like Castro Marim provide excellent year-round conditions and welcoming hospitality.

👉 Explore Portugal’s golf courses

What’s Next on the Calendar

The next stop on the ANSG South Circuit will be at Benamor Golf in late May, offering another opportunity for the region’s senior golfers to gather and compete. But before that, the circuit’s Pitch & Putt event returns on Saturday, April 19, at the Amendoeira Academy Course, perfect for short-game specialists and those new to the format.

Whether you’re an active member or considering joining for the first time, the South Circuit continues to offer rewarding experiences for golfers aged 50 and up, on some of Portugal’s most enjoyable courses.

Rolex Backs Comporta’s Dunas Course

The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta, now partnered with Rolex, is already one of Portugal’s most talked-about new golf developments. In March 2025, the course officially announced a partnership with Rolex, joining a select group of golf destinations around the world associated with the iconic Swiss watchmaker.

Set along Portugal’s unspoiled west coast, the Dunas Course has quietly built a reputation for its natural design and strategic character. But this new partnership signals something more: a shift from under-the-radar favourite to international flagship.

Rolex doesn’t attach its name lightly. The brand is known for backing venues with history, ambition, and staying power. So when it aligns with a relatively new course like Dunas, it raises a clear question: is Comporta on the verge of becoming Portugal’s next great golfing destination?

For Portuguese golf, this isn’t just a name-drop, it’s a statement of intent. Comporta is no longer up-and-coming. It has arrived.

What Sets the Dunas Course Apart

Designed by David McLay Kidd, the Dunas Course has made waves for its minimalist approach, routing through natural dunes just south of Lisbon. Unlike many modern layouts, it resists over-shaping or over-polishing. This is a course built for the purist: firm, fast, and visually striking without being flashy.

Its character has already earned comparisons to top-tier links destinations. Now, with Rolex backing, that reputation is likely to expand even further.

👉 Explore Portugal’s top golf courses

A New Era for Comporta

While the Algarve and Lisbon Coast have long dominated Portugal’s golf tourism, Comporta’s quieter, more refined appeal is carving out a niche of its own. The region has drawn attention from travellers looking for privacy, luxury, and understated beauty. With Rolex now part of the picture, the Dunas Course may well become a flagship for this new model of Portuguese golf travel.

This isn’t just a boost for a single property, it could shift perception of the entire west coast as a high-end golf destination.

Tradition Meets Innovation

The Dunas–Rolex partnership also speaks to a deeper alignment in values. Rolex is synonymous with tradition, precision, and longevity. The Dunas Course, though new, was built with those same principles in mind: a focus on timeless design, strategic play, and long-term environmental harmony.

It’s a pairing that feels less like marketing, and more like philosophy.

Raising the Bar for National Golf Identity

Portugal has long been viewed as a great place to play golf, but this partnership suggests it’s also becoming a great place to shape golf. Courses like Dunas, with international appeal and world-class design, help raise the country’s profile beyond just sunshine and affordability.

It’s about time Portugal was seen not only as a host, but as a benchmark.

👉 Discover more about golf in Portugal

👉 Book your Transfers and Car Hire when playing Golf in Portugal

Source: https://golfbusinessnews.com/