Algarve Golf

A Perfect Morning at Pine Cliffs Golf Course

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A review by our CEO, Mr. Carlos Ferreira — sharing his morning on one of the Algarve’s most celebrated coastal layouts.

This morning I had the pleasure of playing at the beautiful Pine Cliffs Resort golf course, and it truly reminded me why golf in the Algarve is considered among the best in Europe. From the moment the sun rose over the Atlantic coastline, the conditions were simply spectacular. Clear blue skies, warm sunshine, and a light ocean breeze created the perfect setting for an unforgettable round.

Tee Times CEO Carlos Ferreira

The course itself was presented in excellent condition. The fairways were immaculate, offering consistent lies throughout the round, while the greens were particularly impressive — fast, firm, and extremely true. Players had to be fully focused on every putt and approach shot, as the pace of the greens demanded precision and good course management. It was the kind of setup that rewards quality golf while still remaining enjoyable for players of all levels.

One of the most striking things this morning was the atmosphere around the course. There was a tremendous turnout, with close to 200 golfers enjoying the magnificent conditions throughout the day. Despite the high number of players, the pace of play remained surprisingly smooth and efficient. Our group completed the front nine in under two hours, which is excellent considering how busy the course was. Credit must go to both the players and the course management for maintaining such a good rhythm during peak conditions.

On the Green Pine Cliffs

Of course, no visit to Pine Cliffs would be complete without mentioning its breathtaking scenery. The dramatic red cliffs, the panoramic ocean views, and the beautifully maintained landscape make every hole memorable. Even between shots, it is impossible not to stop for a moment and appreciate the natural beauty surrounding the course. Few places combine championship golf and coastal scenery quite as effortlessly as Pine Cliffs. For anyone planning a golf break along this stretch of coast, Pine Cliffs is reason enough on its own.

Pine Cliffs Resort Aerial View

The signature par-3 sixth hole, famously played across the cliffs, continues to be one of the most iconic golf holes in Portugal. Standing on the tee box with the Atlantic Ocean stretching endlessly behind the green is an experience that never gets old. It is one of those rare holes where every golfer instinctively reaches for their phone or camera before taking the shot.

Today’s round perfectly captured what makes golf in the Algarve so special: outstanding weather, exceptional course conditions, stunning scenery, and a relaxed but vibrant atmosphere. Whether you are visiting Portugal for a golf holiday or simply looking for a memorable round by the ocean, Pine Cliffs continues to deliver a first-class experience.

After mornings like this, it is easy to understand why so many golfers return to Pine Cliffs year after year.

Portugal Invitational 2026: PGA Tour Champions Makes History in Vilamoura

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The PGA Tour Champions is coming to Portugal. From 31 July to 2 August 2026, The Els Club Vilamoura hosts the Portugal Invitational — the first PGA Tour-sanctioned individual stroke play event on Portuguese soil, and the first PGA Tour Champions event staged anywhere in Europe.

Portugal Invitational 2026

A natural milestone for a region that has spent decades building one of the continent’s most compelling golf destinations.

What the Portugal Invitational Actually Is

The PGA Tour Champions is the professional circuit for golfers aged 50 and over — populated by Major winners and some of the most recognisable names in the modern game.

The Portugal Invitational carries a $3 million purse and a field of 78 players drawn from PGA Tour Champions members, World Golf Hall of Fame inductees, and Legends Tour players. It sits within a three-week European swing alongside the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship. (PGA Tour Champions official announcement)

The Field: A Who’s Who of Senior Golf

Bernhard Langer — holder of 47 PGA Tour Champions wins and six Charles Schwab Cups — heads a field that also includes three-time Major champion Pádraig Harrington, two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal, host Ernie Els, and Colin Montgomerie.

Retief Goosen, David Duval, Thomas Bjørn, and Ángel Cabrera are also confirmed. A Pro-Am is part of the week, giving amateur participants direct access to players of this calibre. (Golf Circus)

The Els Club Vilamoura: The Course at the Centre of It All

Els Club Vilamoura Portugal Invitational 2026

The Els Club occupies the former site of the Victoria Golf Course — an Arnold Palmer design that hosted the DP World Tour’s Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022, producing winners including Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington.

Redesigned by Ernie Els, one nine retains its original routing while the other is an entirely new layout. The result is the fifth Els Club in the world and the first in Europe. (Golfweek via Yahoo Sports)

Why Vilamoura Was Always Going to Host Something Like This

Vilamoura is consistently ranked among the finest golf resorts in Continental Europe. Five golf courses, premium accommodation — including the recently arrived Hyatt Regency — and a food scene that takes itself seriously.

Vilamoura Marina View
Faro Airport sits 25 minutes away, with direct routes to 89 airports across 20 countries. Transfers and car hire are easily arranged. The tournament is backed by a five-year partnership between PGA Tour Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo do Algarve — this is not a one-off. (Portugal Invitational)

Planning Around the Portugal Invitational

Tournament week runs 27 July to 2 August, with the 54-hole competition concluding on 2 August. Spectator access and ticketing details will be confirmed closer to the event.

Whether the plan is to watch the professionals and then play the same course, or simply use the tournament as the nudge to finally book that Algarve golf holiday, the summer of 2026 has handed you a rather good excuse.

Portugal Makes Its Mark at the French Pitch & Putt Open

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Hugo Espírito Santo and Tomás Ribeiro excel at a wet and competitive weekend near Lyon

The 22nd Open International de France de Pitch & Putt brought 71 players to UGOLF Mionnay, just 20 kilometres north of Lyon, for three rounds across the 8th to 10th of May. Portugal sent a four-man contingent — and came away with a podium finish.

Though it was not the biggest tournament in the golf calendar, it was exactly the kind of result that reminds you how broad and deep the game runs beneath the surface of the DP World Tour. (Federação Portuguesa de Golfe)

Open International de France

Third Place in Testing Conditions

Hugo Espírito Santo, representing Quinta das Lágrimas, and Tomás Ribeiro of Paredes Golf Club closed with a combined total of 144 shots, 18 under par, to share third place. The final round was played in persistent rain, with the top seven players separated by just two shots entering the day — conditions that test patience as much as technique.

Espírito Santo, a former champion of this event in 2023, showed the composure of a player who has been here before. Ribeiro matched him card for card, returning three identical rounds of 48 — a consistency that is harder to achieve than it looks across 54 holes of strokeplay.

The Winner and the Field

The title went to Noa Auch-Roy, a young French player from the host club, who posted a composed 47-47-47 for 141, 21 under par — three shots clear of the field and arguably the performance of the weekend. The runner-up spot went to Spaniard José Maria Ortiz, the defending champion from the 2025 edition at Le Puy-en-Velay, on 143.

The field of 71 also included players from the Netherlands, Italy, Algeria, and Benin — a reminder that Pitch & Putt has a genuinely international following, particularly across southern Europe, where the format has been growing steadily for two decades.

The Other Portuguese Results

Portugal Pitch and Putt Team
Matteo Balzer, playing out of Amendoeira Golf Resort in the Algarve, finished a creditable sixth on 148, 14 under par. Arnaldo Paredes of Quinta das Lágrimas closed in 13th on 160, two under. Four Portuguese starters, four finishers — and three of them inside the top fifteen. By any measure, a strong showing for the national squad on foreign soil.

A Format Worth Knowing

Pitch & Putt is played on a par-54 course, with holes typically ranging from 40 to 90 metres. Every shot is either a pitch or a putt — no drivers, no long irons, no excuses. The format strips the game back to its most transferable skills: touch, trajectory, and reading a green. Portugal has a long tradition in the discipline, and the Algarve in particular has produced players capable of competing at the highest international level.

For the visiting golfer, it is also worth knowing that many of the region’s leading resorts offer Pitch & Putt facilities alongside their full-length layouts — a useful option on a rest day, or for travelling companions who are new to the game.

The Algarve remains one of Europe’s most versatile golf destinations, with courses and formats to suit every level. Whether you are chasing a competitive round on one of the region’s championship layouts, or looking for something more relaxed, Tee Times Golf Holidays can put together a package that fits — tee times, hotels, and transfers all taken care of.