From Campus to Fairway: Portugal’s Universities Make Their Golf Debut

Golf in Portugal has always had one eye on the future. From junior development circuits to the national training centre at Jamor, the FPG has spent years building the infrastructure of a sport with serious long-term ambition. The first University Team Golf Tournament, held at Jamor in 2026, is the latest piece of that puzzle — and arguably one of the most significant.

A New Competition on Home Ground

The Centro Nacional de Formação de Golfe do Jamor is state property, integrated within the national sports complex and managed by the FPG under a 25-year agreement. Its nine-hole course, inaugurated in 2013, has since been recognised with GEO Certified® status for its sustainability credentials. Located 20 minutes from central Lisbon, it made a fitting home for a tournament with growth at its heart.

Jamor 9 Hole Golf Course

The FPG organised the event with a stated goal: to bring golf closer to the university community. The mixed-team format — students from across Portugal’s higher education institutions competing together — added a dimension that pure strokeplay rarely achieves. It was competitive and sociable, which, when you’re trying to grow a sport inside a campus culture, is more or less the point.

Universidade de Lisboa Take the Title

The inaugural title went to Universidade de Lisboa. Their team — captained by Eduardo Bianchi and comprising Inês Simão Gonçalves, Mafalda Soares, Clement Guertener, Enzo Blanc, Tomás Massena, William Bao, Francisco Jorge, and Dinis Isidro — played with enough composure to claim a clear victory on the day. IP + Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa finished second, with Universidade Católica Portuguesa in third. (Federação Portuguesa de Golfe)

Competitors First University Tournament Portugal

Nine teams, one course, and a first edition that delivered on both atmosphere and competition. The FPG’s instinct to stage it as a team event — rather than an individual ranking exercise — was well-judged. Universities rally around collective identity. Golf in Portugal now has a platform to benefit from that.

Portugal in the Wider Picture

This tournament doesn’t exist in isolation. Portugal already features as a qualifying venue in the R&A Student Tour Series — an international circuit designed to provide elite student golfers outside the USA and Mexico with high-performance competition. The Series was launched in 2019, and the R&A invests close to £500,000 annually in student and university golf through its Foundation Scholars programme. (The R&A)

What the FPG has done here is to complement that elite pathway with something broader — a domestic platform for students who love the game, regardless of whether they’re chasing amateur titles. The Portugal golf courses that host the international circuit are a different world from Jamor’s nine holes. But the pipeline runs in one direction.

Portugal’s golf ecosystem has momentum on multiple fronts. The Algarve remains one of Europe’s most established golf holiday destinations, the FPG’s youth development circuits have been expanding their reach, and the Portugal golf competitions calendar grows more varied each year. The first University Team Golf Tournament isn’t just a feel-good footnote to all of that. It’s evidence that the federation is thinking carefully about where the next generation of Portuguese golfers comes from — and making sure there’s a competition waiting for them when they arrive.

Amendoeira Golf Resort Triumphs at National Pitch & Putt Championship

Amendoeira Golf Resort, with 391 strokes (-41), emerged victorious at the National Pitch & Putt Club Championship, played at their home course.Amendoeira Golf Resort emerged victorious at the National Pitch & Putt Club Championship, played at their home course. Competing against top teams, Amendoeira secured the title by a single stroke, surpassing the defending champions, Vilamoura Golf Club. This triumph marked a historic win for the club, with the final tally of 391 strokes (-41), edging out Vilamoura’s 392 strokes (-40). The team (Alexander Amey, Matteo Balzer, Walter Faustini, and Miguel Silva) displayed remarkable skill and consistency throughout the competition.

The second day of the tournament featured the decisive “Stroke Play” Individual round, where the three best scores from each team member were counted towards the team’s total. Amendoeira, trailing after the first day, delivered a brilliant performance with 143 strokes, overtaking Vilamoura’s 148 and Paredes’ 152 strokes. Paredes and Quinta das Lágrimas tied for third place, both finishing with 396 strokes (-36).

Amendoeira Golf Resort, where the championship took place, is renowned for its top-tier facilities and is one of the finest golf destinations in Portugal. Its world-class amenities include two 18-hole award-winning golf courses (Faldo Course and the O’Connor Jnr. Course), a 9-hole illuminated course for night play, and an array of luxurious accommodations and leisure options. Tee Times Golf Agency proudly features Amendoeira as a premier destination for those seeking unforgettable golf experiences in the Algarve for their Portugal golf holidays.

Whether it’s the courses’ competitive edge or the resort’s serene beauty, Amendoeira provides everything a golfer could desire. With its recent championship victory and its standing as a prime location for Portugal golf holidays, Amendoeira Golf Resort continues solidifying its place among the best in the country.

Portugal has solidified its reputation as a world-class golf destination, attracting players from across the globe to experience its exceptional courses, stunning landscapes, and welcoming climate. The Federação Portuguesa de Golfe, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has been instrumental in promoting the sport throughout the country. Through their dedicated efforts, the federation has developed high-calibre events, such as the National Pitch & Putt Championship played at Amendoeria Golf Resort, supported local clubs, and fostered talent, ensuring that Portugal remains at the forefront of the global golf scene.

Photo by: Filipe Guerra (Federação Portuguesa de Golfe)

Top golfers represented 11 prestigious Portuguese courses at the Open de Portugal

The latest edition of the Open de Portugal showcased an impressive lineup of 15 Portuguese players representing 11 of the country's top golf clubs.The latest edition of the Open de Portugal, held at the prestigious Royal Óbidos Golf Course and part of the Challenge Tour calendar, showcased an impressive lineup of 15 Portuguese players representing 11 of the country’s top golf clubs. Their courses, including some of the most iconic in Portugal, play a crucial role in promoting golf nationwide and have been instrumental in developing local touch.

Pedro Lencart, representing Penina Golf Course, was among the standout players, while Pedro Almeida competed under the banner of Lisbon Sports Club. Vitor Lopes, from Golf Club Vilamoura, and Hugo Camelo Ferreira and Diogo Rocha, both from Club Golf Miramar, brought experience and skill to the tournament. Vasco Alves and Miguel Cardoso represented Oporto Golf Club, further showcasing the depth of Portuguese golfing talent.

Alexandre Abreu competed for Pinheiros Altos Golf Course, and Quinta do Lago was present with two of its finest, Tomás Bessa and Ricardo Santos. JM Franco de Sousa represented Estoril Golf Club, while Alfonso Oliveira and Joao Pereira showcased their gifts for Aroeira Golf Club. Pedro Figueiredo, a rising star, represented Dunas Terras da Comporta, and the talented Tomás Melo Gouveia played for San Lorenzo Golf Club. Notably, five players—Franco de Sousa, Cardoso, Rocha, Pereira, and Oliveira—are amateurs, highlighting the strength of Portugal’s golfing future.

These prestigious golf courses are part of Tee Times Golf Agency‘s extensive offerings, allowing golfers worldwide to experience the best Portugal golf holidays. Tee Times is renowned for crafting unique golf packages with access to these top-tier clubs, ensuring unforgettable golfing experiences.

Open de Portugal special celebration

This year, the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe celebrates its 75th anniversary, a milestone that marks its decades of tireless dedication to promoting golf throughout Portugal. The federation’s instrumental role in growing the sport, nurturing talent from the grassroots to professional stages, and organizing prestigious tournaments like the Open de Portugal is something every golf enthusiast should appreciate. Its efforts have helped elevate Portugal as a global golf destination, providing opportunities for both amateurs and professionals to excel on some of the finest courses in the world. As it commemorates this milestone, the federation continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of Portuguese golf.

Portugal was named the World’s Best Golf Destination last year at the World Golf Awards, reflecting the country’s exceptional golf landscape. This year, Tee Times Golf Agency is nominated for Best Tour Operator in Europe 2024 (you can vote here), further cementing its status as a leader in the golf tourism industry.

The Open de Portugal remains a cornerstone of European golf. It offers a thrilling competition that continues to inspire Portuguese golfers and elevate the sport’s history across the country.

Photo by: Rodrigo Gatinho (Federação Portuguesa de Golfe).