Vidago Palace Golf Course Hosted International Tournaments

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Tee Times Portugal Golf - Vidago Palace Golf Course Hosts International Tournament

Tee Times Portugal Golf – Vidago Palace Golf Course Hosts International Tournament

Vidago Palace Golf Course in Porto

Tee Times Portugal Golf – Vidago Palace Golf Course Hosted International Tournament – 16th to 18th March 2016

The Vidago Palace Golf Course hosted, from 16 to 18 of March, two of the most prestigious international amateur golf tournaments, played between two teams of 12 players each, representing Europe and Asia-Pacific. Organized for EGA (European Golf Association), the Bonnalack Trophy was named after one of the best amateurs players of the history of golf of late 20th century. It’s a biennial amateur competition that is played to the style of the famous Ryder Cup in three days, in the first two days, comprise five foursomes matches each morning and five four-ball better ball matches each afternoon. On the final day, there are 12 singles matches, when all twelve players compete. The winner of each match scores a point for his team, with a half point each for any match that is tied after the 16 holes.

The Patsy Hankins Tournament was realized for the first time, has the same format than the male tournament but is disputed by the feminine selections. The competition continues to grow in importance and helps to raise the profile of the game, particularly in the Far East, Indian and Australasia areas. The realization of this event counts with technical support of the Portuguese Golf Federation – responsible maximum of golf in Portugal – having an active role in the selection of the North of Portugal, more specifically the golf course of Vidago Palace Hotel for this event. The first edition took place in 1998, being only interrupted in 2010.In the six previous editions, Europe won four times (including the last two) and Asia-Pacific two.

Tee Times Portugal Golf - Vidago Palace Hotel Golf

Tee Times Portugal Golf – Vidago Palace Hotel Golf

The North of Portugal was the region chosen to this tournament, full of motives to visit, renowned by its hospitality and warmth, attracting an international audience, reflecting the quality of its courses to the practice of this sport. Carrying out this tournament is the proof that the north has golf of excellent quality. The choice of de golf course of Vidago Palace Hotel it’s the confirmation of its excellence and the best North has to offer, proving once more, that has a prominent position in the list of the most famous international golf courses, being capable of challenging even the most experienced player.

Declaration of Alexandre Barroso, director of Vidago Palace Golf Course
“We are very pleased for the choice of EGA and very grateful to FPG for the effort in bringing the tournament to the North, more precisely to the Vidago Palace Golf Course. This choice it’s the confirmation of the quality of our course, being certain that this tournament will be another success and an important step towards our consecration internationally.

This is a hotel inserted in the Centenary Park of Vidago, with centuries of history and tradition, with 70 rooms and suites where the Belle Époque style of the great aristocratic houses is predominant. Its thermal waters with therapeutically qualities recognize worldwide gave the mote for the creation of a Thermal Spa, with the signature of the famous architect Siza Vieira, it’s simple lines appeals to the relaxation but without neglecting the elegance. Relatively to the golf course, it was recently renovated, improving its quality, it’s a pair 72 course with the length of 6 308 metres that proportionate an amazing view over the park, in communion with nature and a wide range of services that make the practice of this sport attractive.

Vidago Palace Golf Course recently became Member of World Leading Golf, an international organization that represents some of the best golf resorts in the world. It is a part of this organization added responsibility and provide the best service, an excellent service to our visitors. The World of Leading Golf is an association representing the most distinguished golf clubs in Europe. At the same time, it is an identifying mark of these clubs for the discerning golfer and the interested public.

Source: vidagopalace.com

Courtesy of: Tee Times Golf Agency – Your Best Partner in Portugal & Spain! Would you like to play & stay at Vidago Palace Hotel & Golf?

From Portugal to the Olimpics in Brazil

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Tee Times Portugal Golf - From Cascais, Portugal to the Olimpic Course in Brasil

Tee Times Portugal Golf – From Cascais, Portugal to the Olimpic Course in Brasil

Tee Times Portugal Golf – From Cascais, Portugal to the Olimpic Course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Frederico Santa-Barbara makes history in golf’s return to the biggest sporting event: the Olimpics.

As Director of Jacobsen Market to South America, Frederico Santa-Barbara estimates have already visited 320 golf courses on the continent, but nothing if you compare to the experience of being inside the building of the Rio’s Olympic Course  – the course in Rio de January where next August golf returns to the Olympics, 112 years after the last presence in the sport event (St. Louis, 1904).

Owned by the American Textron Jacobsen is one of the three largest manufacturers of maintenance equipment for golf courses. It was up to you to provide all the specialized machinery for the development of the field and its subsequent maintenance. It is in this context that the Portuguese of 34 years old, resident in Rio, has accompanied the project from the beginning, visiting it at least once a week and being one of the privileged who have played there.

The course, an extension of 35 hectares, is located in Barra da Tijuca, the neighborhood of the “wonderful city” where many more modalities will be hosted by the next Olympic Games, seven kilometers from the village of Athletes. “It’s an unbelievable course, a great natural beauty. Their conditions are spectacular – if you put the foot on the ball in the grass and take away, it raises, it seems that is always on top of the tee , “says Santa-Barbara, who saw the still vacant lot and considers to be watching a “historic moment in golf.”

There currently are about 30 machines Jacobsen employed in the field, but that number will rise to double during the male and female competitions, with 60 participants each. The field has stands for 2500 spectators and will accommodate over 17,500 spectators all the way. “It’s the first time a golf tournament will last two weeks, the grass will be under tremendous stress, so you need to make two daily cuts,” explains Santa-Barbara.

Tee Times Portugal Golf - From Cascais, Portugal to the Olimpic Course in Brasil

Tee Times Portugal Golf – From Cascais, Portugal to the Olimpic Course in Brasil

This Portuguese from Cascais working in the golf area, does not surprise those who know him. Lover of the sport from the 6, 7 years (started playing during the summer holidays in Vimeiro), former president of Grove Tigers Club and also a member of the Estoril Golf Club, as when working at Nespresso involved this brand in golf, helping to found the Nespresso Trophy and sponsoring various events, especially Expresso BPI golf Cup. “One must work on what you like, and I always tried to combine my job to golf,” he explains.

In May 2011, it went to a wedding in Brazil and decided to hop over to Nespresso shop in Sao Paulo. This visit resulted, six months later, in his move to the company’s subsidiary in that country, with responsibility for managing the restaurants and hotels in Rio de Janeiro. He played that role two years, while it was revealed providential, to work behind the scenes so that Jacobsen could make the supply of equipment to the Olympic field.

As a golfer, Santa-Barbara feels that golf in the Olympics is something transcendent not only for Brazil, but for all of South America, because from this new club, which will be public, there will be many opportunities for the golf world across the continent. Despite this optimism casts some doubts about whether all the promises and responsibilities assumed by the Brazilian government will be fulfilled: “Of all the negotiations I have had in Brazil, one thing I learned, no one says no, but it’s not sure that in the end is a yes”.

What he likes most of Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro, summarized as follows, with a musical analogy: “Fado and Samba are not much different in terms of the letter, both speak of longing, love, loss, etc. The difference is in the pace! Rather than sit and cry, they dance and laugh! The lightness with which the locals view life, should be an example for the Portuguese.”

In addition to Santa-Barbara, who is involved in the Olympic golf project from the start, another Portuguese from ProGolf company, Benjamin Silva and António Miranda, are responsible for delivering the course in the best conditions in the world. Headquartered in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, this company built on Brazilian soil an Arnold Palmer course – Fazenda da Boavista in São Paulo – and are today the company responsible for maintaining the Rio’s Olympic Golf Course.

The Portuguese show up once more out there and leave your name in the history of world golf setting the stage the biggest sporting event in the world!

Source: golftatto.com

Courtesy of: Tee Times Golf Agency – Your Best Partner in Portugal & Spain! Call us today and let us help you have the best Golf Break! We take care of all bookings, reservations, rentals and transfers for you. You just have fun and peace of mind! Call +351 289 300 680.

FPG 2nd Circuit Tournament Champions

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Tee Times Portugal Golf - FPG 2nd Circuit Tournament - Beatriz Themudo & Afonso Girão - First Time Champions

Tee Times Portugal Golf – FPG 2nd Circuit Tournament – Beatriz Themudo & Afonso Girão

Tee Times Portugal Golf – FPG 2nd Circuit Tournament Champions – Beatriz Themudo & Afonso Girão – First Time Champions

The Estela Golf Club has crowned two players that never had won before in most important circuit of the Portuguese Golf Federation (FPG).

Beatriz Themudo and Afonso Girão won Sunday (6th March 2016) their first titles in tournaments of the FPG Circuit, the most important at national level for amateurs of high competition.

All of them had already shined before at the national team and individual level. For example, they have in common have been national champions sub-18, Beatriz Themudo in 2014 and Afonso Girão in 2015, but a title in FPG circuit is always a landmark, and so, somehow both made personal history at Estela Golf in Povoa de Varzim.

“There had been a tournament of this circuit I had placed at 3rd but this is my first win. Today I started playing very well, I spent the first nine holes with only one above par when yesterday was already with 9 in the first five holes. I remained calm and only at the very end I felt some pressure to win. This victory is a reward for what I have been working since the beginning of the year. It was a difficult victory with a first complicated day, with wind and rain, but it’s great to win, “said Beatriz Themudo, the player of the Club de Golf de Miramar.

In the men’s tournament, Afonso Girão was at 18 holes, just one stroke behind the leader, his twin brother João, who sought to regain the title, but a second round of 70 strokes, two below par (the best of the tournament) led him to a tasty victory with an aggregate of 147 (+3).

“This last round had very important moments, with chip and putts that enabled me to secure the lead, especially at the beginning, I stand it very well until the hole 10. If the titles are kept between brothers no problem, on top he finished 2nd. Not that I do not like to win but if I lose and he wins I’m happy and I think with him is the same, ” said the player of Oporto Golf Club, referring to this twin brother.

The last nine holes were decisive because Afonso Girão played them in 3-under-par with three birdies, free bogeys, while João Girão had a back nine in 1 below par, with 1 birdie on the last hole to hold the 2nd position, just one stroke of his winning brother, with a total of 148/76 + 72) +4.

The next tournament FPG Circuit will be played on 21 and 22 April in Praia d’El Rey in Obidos area, one of the 2016 circuit novelty.

Source: fpg.pt

Courtesy of: Tee Times Golf Agency – Your Best Partner in Portugal & Spain. Would you like to play in any of the above courses? We’ll help you with all the bookings, reservations, rentals and transfers. We take care of your next golf break, you have fun with peace of mind. Call us at +351 289 300 680 for a free quote. Or contact us.