European Amateur Ranking Highlights Portugal’s Role in Amateur Golf

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Portugal’s golf is expected to attract even more international attention after the European Golf Association confirmed new awards associated with the 2026 European Amateur Order of Merit. The initiative sets up a single ranking system for amateur players all over Europe and makes a straight path from top amateur competitions to the professional game. The news is especially important for Portugal because the new ranking calendar will begin with two big tournaments in the country.

Starting in 2026, the European Golf Association (EGA) will oversee the European Amateur Order of Merit for both male and female golfers. The goal is clear: to make Europe’s top amateur events better and bring the best players in the world to them. The top performers will get direct invites to the European Amateur Championships and to play on professional tours such as the DP World Tour, the HotelPlanner Tour, the Ladies European Tour, and LETAS. This structure strengthens the bridge between doing excellent work as a hobby and getting career opportunities.

From the very beginning of the season, Portugal will be very important. The Portuguese Golf Federation organises the international championships, which are the first events that players can use to prepare for the men’s and women’s world rankings. This puts the country at the top of European amateur golf and makes it even more well-known as a place that is strongly connected to the sport at every level.

The 96th Portuguese International Ladies’ Amateur Championship will be held at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort from January 28 to 31, kicking off the women’s calendar. The person who wins will get a ticket to the Vidago Ladies Open on the LETAS circuit, which will have its second season later this year. The men’s game comes next, with the 96th Portuguese International Amateur Championship happening at Amendoeira Resort from February 11 to 14. The winner will get a prized ticket to the Open de Portugal on the HotelPlanner Tour, which will be held at PGA Aroeira 1 in September 2026.

These events show why golfers, federations, and fans from all over Europe keep coming to play golf in Portugal. The country is a great place for competitive golf because it has good courses, strong organisation, and playing weather all year round. For players who travel, this same setting naturally leads to unforgettable golf holidays in Portugal, which has many welcoming resorts in different areas with great courses.

Portugal’s place in the amateur game is better than ever as the European Amateur Order of Merit comes together. Having the first events of the season take place in your area is not only a privilege for the sport, but it also shows that the country has supported golf for a long time. Portugal is still a place where players and tourists can compete, improve, and enjoy the game all at the same time.

Costa del Sol Supports Costa del Sol Master Madrid Final at Río Real

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The Costa del Sol Master Madrid final brought golf in Spain back into the spotlight, and it was held at the Río Real Golf Club. Besides that, Turismo Costa del Sol significantly contributed to the success of the event. After a long and hard-fought journey across three qualifying events and eight courses, the tournament finished in the middle of the Costa del Sol. It was a mix of sports, travel, and tourism marketing. Things like this keep the region famous as one of the best places in Europe for golf holidays.

The last round of the contest took place at Río Real, a course that is famous for high-level golf and is a popular spot for tourists. Esperanza González, who is the CEO of Turismo Costa del Sol, greeted the players and guests and talked about how important it is to back projects that help make the destination better known. She said that having Costa del Sol take part in projects that help make the area a top vacation spot, especially for golf, which is still an important part of the local economy, is truly an honour.

A Contest with Travel Prizes

The Costa del Sol Master Madrid happened from the 12th to the 14th of December. The schedule was set up to find a good mix between inexperienced and experienced players. People came to formal receptions and transfers on Friday. They had a practice round at Río Real on Saturday. The final was on Sunday. It had a shotgun start, a cocktail reception in the clubhouse, and a formal ceremony to give out the prizes. After a long, well-planned event, the winners enjoyed their victory.

Tourism Costa del Sol used the event to show that it is a great place to play golf. The area has more than 70 golf fields, which is more than anywhere else on the mainland of Europe. As a result, many different classes are available to take. It also keeps drawing in amateur players who want to play year-round in good weather.

Costa del Sol: Year-Round Charm and Golf Holidays

Esperanza González also spoke about how golf can help keep things from changing with the seasons. You can take golf holidays at any time of the year, as they are not dependent on the busy summer months. Besides the tournament, Turismo Costa del Sol also brought tour operators from the UK, the Netherlands, and the US on a familiarisation trip to market the area to people around the world. This was another boost to the area’s status around the world.

Since the Costa del Sol Master Madrid and other events take place there, the Costa del Sol remains Spain’s premier golf destination. Its long-term success is based on a lot of people helping it, making it a competition destination, and having a lot of tourists come. Our Costa del Sol golf holidays show golfers planning their next trip how to create lasting memories.

PGA TOUR Champions Confirms Portugal Invitational at Vilamoura Golf Course

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The Algarve will be the main event on the global golf calendar after the PGA TOUR Champions announced a new five-year deal to bring a professional tournament to Portugal. The Portugal Invitational is a historic event for golf in Vilamoura and the country as a whole. Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo do Algarve support it. Portugal will host an individual strokeplay event for the first time, organised by the PGA Tour. This will help solidify its reputation as a top golf destination in Europe.

The Els Club Vilamoura will host the Portugal Invitational from July 31 to August 2, 2026. There will be 78 players in the tournament, including members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, stars of the PGA TOUR Champions, and a few players from the Legends Tour. The event will bring in some of the biggest names in the sport and put Vilamoura in the international spotlight with a prize pool of $3 million. The tournament is also part of a three-week stretch of top-level senior golf in Europe, between the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the Staysure Senior PGA Championship.

Ernie Els designed the Els Club Vilamoura, which is an important part of this story. The course was called Dom Pedro Victoria before it hosted the Portugal Masters on the DP World Tour from 2007 to 2022. Champions like Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington played there. The new layout is based on Els’ idea of a balanced but difficult test, with world-class practice facilities to back it up. Els says that seeing the course chosen for a PGA TOUR Champions event shows that the design was meant to be ambitious and that Vilamoura can host golf at the highest level.

This news makes golf in Vilamoura even more appealing to fans and golfers who travel. The destination is already known for having a lot of great golf courses. It has championship golf, golden beaches, an award-winning marina, great food, and easy access to real Algarve experiences. The Ria Formosa lagoons, local seafood traditions, and the historic town of Loulé are all nearby and offer more than just golf.

Arrow Global Group sees the Portugal Invitational as a big step towards its long-term goal of making Vilamoura a world-class golf and lifestyle destination. Continued investment in hotels, marina infrastructure, improved golf courses, and future projects like a country club and beach club show that the goal is to bring in visitors all year round. Tourism leaders at both the national and regional levels have also talked about how the event will help the Algarve become more visible around the world, be more sustainable, and grow its economy.

The GOLF Channel will show all three rounds of the Portugal Invitational live, and people in more than 170 countries will be able to watch it. The tournament will also have Legends Tour players thanks to the partnership between the PGA TOUR and the European Tour Group. Expectations are high for a historic event now that Todd Rhinehart has been named Tournament Director. He has decades of experience with the PGA TOUR.

Vilamoura golf courses still have one of the best mixes of quality, variety, and atmosphere in Europe for golfers who want to plan a trip based on this news. This part of the Algarve is starting a new chapter, whether you’re coming to watch the legends or play the same fairways. You can find customised options in our Vilamoura golf holidays collection.