World Kids Golf by Amendoeira Golf Resort 2024

The World Kids Golf has maintained its status as the first Portuguese junior international event to count towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking.The World Kids Golf by Amendoeira Golf Resort was again held in Silves, Algarve, from July 24th to 26th. Golfers from nine countries participated, showcasing an impressive increase in numbers and diversity. Talented and young golfers competed on the renowned Faldo Golf Course and O’Connor Jnr Golf Course, representing nations such as Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Norway, and France.

World Kids Golf in detail

The tournament has maintained its status as the first Portuguese junior international event to count towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Despite the emergence of other youth events in Portugal, World Kids Golf by Amendoeira Golf Resort has always stood out, offering a professional experience to its participants. From learning to give TV interviews to managing their equipment with a caddie, young golfers gain invaluable insights into professional golf, ensuring a high-quality experience for all participants.

The event started with a fun pitch-and-putt tournament for parents and children at the Amendoeira Golf Academy’s 9-hole course. However, the competition quickly heated up as the first round of the 13th edition began on Wednesday.

Sanctioned by the Portuguese Golf Federation and recognized by the R&A, the event featured male and female players in age groups ranging from under 10 to under 18. Notably, the under-16 and under-18 categories were combined this year, with all players competing from the challenging ‘white’ tees.

Tournament Director Nelson Cavalheiro explained, “To ensure we meet the minimum participant numbers required for the World Amateur Golf Ranking points, we combined the under-16 and under-18 categories. All players competed this year from the ‘white’ tees, making it even more challenging.”

The competition ended with an awards ceremony and dinner. This year’s changes, including the adjusted timing, added to the event’s unique charm, creating an intriguing and memorable experience for all involved.

For the final results, click here

The golf courses

The young golfers competed on two of the finest courses in the Algarve: the Faldo Golf Course and the O’Connor Jnr Golf Course. The Faldo Course, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, features elevated greens, numerous bunkers, and beautiful views of the Algarve countryside. It is known for its challenging layout, making it a perfect test for these aspiring professionals. The O’Connor Jnr Course, designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr, is characterized by its wide fairways, large fast greens, and various water features. Its slightly hilly terrain and stunning views make it a favourite among golfers of all talents.

For those looking to experience these world-class courses, Tee Times Golf Agency offers exceptional packages that include accommodation and unlimited golf at the Amendoeira Golf Resort. With Tee Times, golfers can enjoy a seamless booking experience and access to some of the best golf courses in the Algarve, providing an exciting opportunity for all golf enthusiasts.

With 34 participants representing nine nations, the World Kids Golf by Amendoeira Golf Resort 2024 celebrated young talent, sportsmanship, and the unyielding spirit of golf.

Photos by: Carlos Sousa.

Valderrama shines: the economic impact of LIV Golf Andalucía

The LIV Golf Andalucía at the Real Club Valderrama has once again underscored the immense potential of sporting events in boosting tourism and economic growth in Andalucía. The regional Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Arturo Bernal, highlighted in dialogue with ‘La Voz de Cádiz’ the tournament’s significant contribution to promoting Andalucía as a prime sports tourism destination. This year’s event is projected to generate an impressive economic impact of around €30 million, according to the Junta de Andalucía, a promising sign for the region’s financial future.

During the final day of the competition in San Roque, Cádiz, Bernal highlighted the significance of the Costa del Golf. This renowned destination gained iconic status following the 1997 Ryder Cup. He noted that the tournament showcases world-class golfing, is a powerful economic driver for the region, and is a superb platform for promoting sports tourism, reaching over 360 million viewers across 180 countries.

LIV Golf Andalucía: a premier global event

Bernal praised the LIV Golf Andalucía as one of the premier global sporting events, asserting that such prestigious tournaments rightly belong on the Costa del Golf in Andalucía. The region’s long-standing partnership with the Real Club Valderrama and the broader golf industry generates approximately €3 billion in revenue annually. Bernal assured the Andalusian government’s unwavering commitment to supporting major sporting events, a reassuring sign for the future of sports tourism in the region.

Alongside key figures such as Francisco Javier Ros Rodríguez, the Junta de Andalucía’s Deputy Delegate in the Campo de Gibraltar, and Tania Barcelona, the Regional Delegate for Tourism, Culture, and Sport in Cádiz, Bernal attended the tournament where Sergio García triumphed, winning in a thrilling playoff.

The Real Club Valderrama’s reputation

The Real Club Valderrama, with its exquisitely maintained fairways and challenging yet enjoyable 6356-meter par-71 course, is widely regarded as one of the finest golf courses in the world. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., the course’s exceptional design and storied history make it the perfect destination for golfers of all skill levels. Its unique features, such as the iconic 17th hole, add to the allure of the course and the tournament.

Tee Times Golf Agency offers the best packages for those looking to play at this wonderful course and experience one of the finest golf designs in the world. Booking a package with Tee Times ensures a memorable golfing experience in one of Spain’s premier destinations.

Photos by: LIV Golf.

From Postage Stamp to Turnberry: the extremes of Royal Troon at the 152nd Open

The 152nd Open Championship, the oldest and most prestigious tournament in golf, will take place at the iconic Royal Troon Golf Club from July 18 to 21.

The 152nd Open Championship, the oldest and most prestigious tournament in golf, will take place at the iconic Royal Troon Golf Club from July 18 to 21. As the year’s final major, this historic event promises a week filled with thrilling competition and memorable moments on one of the world’s most challenging courses and connects you to the sport’s rich legacy.

Royal Troon (par 71), a venue hosting The Open for the tenth time, has seen several great champions such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Bobby Locke, Justin Leonard, and most recently, Henrik Stenson in 2016. This year’s The Open promises to be just as thrilling with a star-studded lineup that includes Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, Ludvig Aberg, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Brooks Koepka, and Collin Morikawa. And, of course, Tiger Woods. We can’t wait to see what this edition has in store!

Royal Troon extremes

Royal Troon, a Scottish course steeped in history and tradition, is a treasure trove of secrets and stories that have shaped its legendary status. The course boasts two particularly notable holes among its many renowned features: the sixth and the eighth. Each offers a unique challenge and a distinct place in the Open Championship history, promising an intriguing and exciting experience for all.

At 601 yards, the sixth hole at Royal Troon is the longest in Open Championship history. It demands precision and power from the tee, with an arrow-straight drive needed to land between fairway bunkers on both sides. The second shot, typically with a fairway wood, must be aimed slightly left to avoid the right-side bunker, setting up a soft pitch to a narrow green framed by picturesque sand dunes.

The eighth hole, the “Postage Stamp,” is the shortest in Open Championship history, measuring just 123 yards. And from the front tee to a short flag, it’s just 99 yards. Originally called “Ailsa” for its perfect view of the rocky islet of that name, it earned its current moniker when William Park described the green as “a pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a postage stamp” in Golf Illustrated. The tee shot is played from high ground over a gully to a long, narrow green set into a sandhill. Bunkers on the left and a large crater bunker guarding the approach add to the challenge, making accuracy paramount. Over the years, this tiny target has been the downfall of many top players, underscoring its reputation as a deceptively tricky hole.

As the world’s best golfers gather at Royal Troon, Tee Times Golf Agency extends its best wishes to all participants and spectators. We hope you enjoy a spectacular week of golf at the year’s final major. May the players find inspiration in the rich history of this remarkable course, and may the fans revel in the excitement and beauty of the game.

Photos by: Royal Troon.