La Sella Open 2025 Returns to Dénia

Posted on by

La Sella Open 2025 lands on the Ladies European Tour from 18 to 21 September in Dénia, Alicante, and it is free to attend. The venue is La Sella Golf, a José María Olazábal design set by Montgó Natural Park, with a reputation for technical, rewarding golf. This is the third straight edition on Olazábal’s first course project, started in 1992 and refreshed in 2021. The event launched with a €1,000,000 purse, then the largest women’s prize fund in Spain, and it keeps its player-first ethos at the heart of the week. For fans, it is an easy sell: late-summer Costa Blanca, elite women’s golf, and a setting made for spectators.

Olazábal’s pride in the place is clear. He speaks about how the course has matured, how the original goals still echo in the current set-up, and how much it matters that players enjoy the challenge. That challenge is honest and varied. The routing rewards controlled tee shots, precise approaches, and a sharp short game. Undulating greens raise the stakes. Hit it long and keep the wedges tidy and you will be in business.

A 2021 redesign sharpened conditioning and put sustainability front and centre. The resort moved to Bermuda grasses for resilience in heat and efficient water use, reducing inputs without dulling the test. The result is surfaces that hold up under tournament stress and a profile that fits the climate. Three nine-hole loops allow flexible set-ups that show off elevation shifts, water, and angles that make you think.

The tournament has already delivered drama. In 2023, Nuria Iturrioz came from four back and won a playoff over Laura Fuenfstueck. In 2024, Helen Briem took her first LET title with a flawless closing six under. The players have also had their say off the course, voting La Sella Tournament of the Year 2023 and Best Player Services 2024. That combination of course quality and care is why the field looks forward to Dénia.

Expect a lively atmosphere across four days. Practice facilities sit close to the action, sightlines are friendly, and the coastal setting does the rest. If you are building a Spanish golf break around the tournament, keep travel simple and stay within reach of Dénia, Alicante, or Valencia. And if you want to add your own tee times to the week, explore our Costa Blanca Golf Holidays for packages that pair Costa Blanca golf with easy access to the event.

Sporting Golf Summer Open

Posted on by

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.

Michelin-Starred Dinners at Vilamoura’s Old Course Clubhouse

Posted on by

This summer, Vilamoura will serve up more than just elite golf. From 16 August to 13 September 2025, the Old Course Clubhouse will host a five-week series of Michelin-starred chef dinners, combining culinary excellence with one of the Algarve’s most iconic golf destinations.

groundforce baggage handler on the tarmac delivering luggage

Every Saturday evening between 20:00 and 22:00, a different Michelin-starred chef will take over the Clubhouse kitchen, offering guests a five-course tasting menu built around the theme Portugalidade à mesa, a celebration of Portugal’s regional flavours and culinary identity. Each dining experience is priced at €150 per person and takes place inside the Clubhouse’s recently renovated space, styled after traditional British golf pubs.

The series opens on 16 August with Rodrigo Castelo (Ó Balcão, Santarém), who’ll reinterpret classic Ribatejo flavours. On 23 August, Louis Anjos (Al Sud, Lagos) brings a refined Algarvian touch to the table. The chef for 30 August remains a surprise, with the name set to be announced via the Clubhouse’s social media channels.

Rounding out the event are two acclaimed Lisbon-area chefs: Alexandre Silva (Loco) on 6 September, known for his experimental flair, and Gil Fernandes (Fortaleza do Guincho) on 13 September, who specialises in local seafood and coastal cuisine.

For golf travellers, this is a rare chance to enjoy a round at the historic Old Course followed by a Michelin-level meal, all without leaving the resort. With demand expected to be high, early booking is advised.

Planning your next Portugal golf holiday? Browse our Vilamoura Golf Holidays for handpicked packages near the Old Course and enjoy the very best of golf and gastronomy this season.