Vale de Janelas have done it again. The West Coast club successfully defended their title at the National Club Championship – Seniors, edging out Estoril by two strokes, in what became a tighter contest than most would have predicted.
The two-day event was played across two formats and two venues. Round one, held at Santo Estêvão Golfe, used Individual Strokeplay — with each club counting its three best scores. Vale de Janelas, arriving as reigning champions, built a commanding nine-stroke lead over nearest rivals Miramar and ACP Golfe.
Day two brought Foursomes into the equation, and with it, a change in tempo. Estoril refused to go quietly, posting an impressive 147 to Vale de Janelas’ 156. In the end, the arithmetic still favoured the champions. Vale de Janelas finished on 385 (+20); Estoril, to their credit, made them work for it, finishing on 387 (+22). Quinta do Peru took third place on 393 (+28).
It is the fourth time Vale de Janelas have lifted this title since 2022 — with only 2024, when Belas Clube de Campo took the honours — interrupting what has otherwise been a rather comfortable reign. The winning team comprised Gonçalo Mota Carmo, Jeffrey Valade, Ken Cooper and John Williams.
Estoril’s challenge was mounted by Miguel Franco de Sousa, Manuel Agrellos Jr., Sofia Paiva and José Maria Cazal-Ribeiro.
