Golf in Portugal

Vilamoura hosting Portugal Masters with a profusion of Word-Class Golf players

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Portugal Masters 2017

Portugal Masters 2017

The Portugal Masters, a European Tour golf tournament is set to begin in Vilamoura from 21st to 24th of September, 2017. A large group of Europe’s leading golfers has affirmed their interest in this great tournament which will happen in Victoria Golf Course.

Vilamoura is a resort in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. It’s known for its large marina, top quality golf courses, is casino, and for many sandy beachs.

Padraig Harrington – three-time Major Champion will return to Vilamoura and Victoria Golf Course, to safeguard his title alongside Andy Sullivan who took the title in 2015. On the other hand, Shown Lowry is coming back to the scene of his first European Tour as a professional.

Danny Willett, 2016 Masters Tournament Champion, will be also in Vilamoura, onboarding additional Major-winning expertise to the Victoria Golf Course, Portugal Masters occasion. He is joined by two energizing youthful gifts, Matt Fitzpatrick and Thomas Pieters – both multiple European Tour winners who won the 2016 Ryder Cup as team mates.

In a statement, Harrington expressed his delight in returning to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters to defend his title. Harrington’s storied profession incorporates triumphs at The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008, the US PGA Title around the same time and six Ryder Cups appearances. The Irishman took the 2016 Portugal Masters on the Victoria Golf Course in noteworthy form, fixing his first European Visit title in eight years.

Vilamoura Victoria Golf Course

Vilamoura Victoria Golf Course

“Last year’s win was exceptionally fulfilling, and I was satisfied to add the title to my rundown of competition triumphs. I felt relaxed all week and awesome around the greens. It’s an occasion I’m particularly anticipating,” said Harrington, who has triumphed 15 times on the European Tour.

Lowry burst on to the scene in 2009, when he won the Irish Open as a novice, and his triumph in Vilamoura at Victoria Golf Course three years after secured his place in history as just the second player to win European Tour titles as both an amateur and a professional. He secured the greatest win of his career in 2015 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

He further stated: “This will dependably be a unique occasion for me. I was over the moon to get my first professional win on such a lofty occasion, and I’m anticipating returning to Vilamoura this year.”

Sullivan stated: “I have some remarkable recollections of this occasion in Algarve, especially from 2015. To win any trophy is phenomenal yet to take a title in Europe, before such a significant number of loved ones, was something exceptional. I can hardly wait for the comeback in September.”

On the other hand, Sullivan is anticipating his 6th appearance in Victoria Golf Course at a competition where he has delighted in huge accomplishment as of late. The Englishman seized the title in 2015 – his third win of the season following the South African Open and the Joburg Open – before completing second behind a resurgent Harrington a year ago.

Willett also will be returning to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters for the first time since 2014. He is the first English player since Sir Nick Faldo to won the Green Jacket when he triumphed at Augusta National last year.

The five-time European Tour victor has an incredible record in the competition, with three best ten completes in five appearances. “It’s been a couple of years since I’ve teed it up in Vilamoura and I’m anticipating it. It is a place where I’ve played well over the years, and so I’m hoping for a good week,” he stated.

In the interim, his comrade Fitzpatrick is making his Portugal Masters debut. The 22-year-old appreciated a stellar 2016 battle, adding more triumphs at the Nordea Masters and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai to his maiden title at the 2015 British Masters. He additionally joined fellow Ryder Cup debutants Pieters, Sullivan, and Willet at Hazeltine a year ago.

Fitzpatrick further expressed his delight: “I’m eager to be playing at the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura for the first time. It’s a competition that I’ve heard a lot about, and I’m anticipating an awesome week in Portugal.”

Pieters, a Belgian and a three-time European Tour winner, has been at the peak of his form this season, with three best ten completes on the European Tour – including fourth place at the Masters.

Pieters put a record at Hazeltine when he became the first European Ryder Cup rookie to scoop four points after playing every match.

Padriag Harrington - Winner 2016

Padriag Harrington – Winner 2016

“This will be the fourth year in succession for me in Vilamoura – Algarve, and it’s a place that I appreciate returning to. I’m pleased to be teeing it up at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course once more,” he stated.

Dom Pedro Golf offers five championship golf courses in the Algarve, Vilamoura´s renowned five – Victoria Golf Course (host of the World Cup in 2005 and Portugal Masters since 2007), The Old Course Golf Club, Pinhal Golf Course, Laguna Golf Course and Millennium Golf Course.

Tickets for the upcoming 2017 Portugal Masters, including hospitality bundles and packages, are accessible at europeantour.com/tickets.

Golf in Portugal and Portuguese Golfers, at European level

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Vitor Lopes

Vitor Lopes

Vilamoura golf club, Miramar, and Oporto golf club, at 30th European Amateur Championship.

Vilamoura golf club player, Vitor Lopes, hcp +2

Miramar Golf Club player, Peter Lencart, hcp +1.8

Oporto golf club player, João Girão, hcp +1.6

A year after he won The Junior Open Championship, the most accredited European amateur tournament for under-16, Pedro Lencart played for the first time the prestigious Individual men’s European Amateur and showed that, at 17 years, is ready to compete with the best.

Among 144 players of the European elite, national amateur champion, not only passed the cut at the end of the third day – something only achieved by 64 players – as still took the luxury of complete the race in the top-40, after having included the top-20 at the end of the second of four rounds of competition.

Pedro Lencart was 39th (tied), 283 shots, 5 under Par after rounds of 71, 68, 73 and 71. In the difficult golf course of the Walton Heath Golf Club in England, which has played host to a Ryder Cup and for 12 consecutive years welcomes European qualifications of the US Open, the Portugal national team player stamped three rounds under Par in four possible.

«It was a positive week for me and I felt good on the golf Course. The first two days were very important for me because I was able to get in a good position inside the cut. It is always important to pass the cut, however, I feel that I could do better ‘, said the Press Office of the FPG, after a last round, where he scored 1 eagle, 2 birdies and 3 bogeys.

«The golf course is considered one of the best in England, has tight fairways and tough roughs, making the tee shots fundamental to make a good result», he added.

The other two Portuguese who went to England, Vítor Lopes, from Vilamoura golf club and João Girão from Oporto golf club, played for the third consecutive season the European Amateur Championship, but hasn’t been this time yet which they passed the cut, but Vitor Lopes had a third round of high level, scoring (-5) 67 shots.

Their results were as follows:

Vítor Lopes: 217 (74 + 76 + 67), +1;

John Girão: 223 (77 + 75 + 71), +7.

Nelson Ribeiro, national selector who accompanied the players to the European Championship made a brief analysis to the national provision:

«Victor Lopes, in 54 holes played, made 3 putts on 13 greens, and 4 putted 1 green. John Girão, in 54 holes he played, only made 19 fairways in regulation at 45 possible. Pedro Lencart, despite being the only one to pass the cut in 72 holes he played, made 3 putts in 5 greens. In such a competitve enviroment as the European Championship, does consecutive errors have a high price when you want to have a good rank. Players were able to identify a pattern of error in their game, what defines a way to guide the practice of assertively».

The 30th edition of the European Amateur Championship was won by Englishman Alfie Plant (72 + 68 + 66+67), who tied with the Italians Lorenzo Scalise (64 + 65 + 69 + 75) and Luca Cianchetti (70 + 67 + 67 + 69), last year’s champion, with 273 shots, 15 under Par. In the play-off, Cianchetti was eliminated on the first hole and the second Plant, the 64th-ranked amateur in the world rankings, made 1 birdie to beat Scalise and crowned European amateur champion.

A Spectator’s Guide to a Happening Golf Event, in Portugal and Spain!

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michael douglas and friends golf tournament

The Portugal Masters, Andalucia Valderrama Masters , the European Ladies’ Team Championship, and the European Young Masters to name a few, there are a number of golf events queued up in Portugal and Spain, this June and July. As much they are enthralling for players, the events are anticipated with an equal zeal and zest by spectators and non-playing enthusiasts of golf.

Golf events in Portugal and Spain are desperately anticipated and provide a good opportunity for the spectators to head out on the grassy meadows, in the bright and glorious sunshine, and make the most of your day. However, to make sure that you enjoy the game in its truest spirit, you have to stick to some basic rules and etiquettes.

Here is an insight into some essential tips, restrictions, and etiquettes for spectators to have a memorable time watching the tournament.

Attire

Being a spectator does not mean that you can just roll out of your bed and arrive at the event venue to watch the match. Just like players, the spectators are also required to don appropriate attire in order to maintain the sanctity of the game.

Overly casual attires such as crop tops, tube tops, tank tops, short skirts, short shorts, and denim are a strict no-no! Classic styles such as a decent polo shirt paired up with Khakis are a smart choice that never goes wrong. Similarly, for women, a modest sundress or a decent top paired with caprice or skirts will do the job.

Basic Etiquettes

Whether you are a player or spectator, using mobile phones is prohibited on the course. Any communication between the players and spectators during the round is against the rules. Make sure that you turn off your phones, or at least, set it on silent, to avoid any inconvenience for you as well as others.

Speak in low tones on the course and stay quite while a player is hitting. Do not roam around on the greens and fairways. If you want to follow a player, stay no less than 25 yards behind, on the rough or cart paths.

Things to Bring

If it is allowed, carry a nice and decent handbag, with some essential accessories to accompany you on the game. Many golf events allow you to bring your kids along, and if you plan on taking them with you, make sure that you supervise them to avoid misconducts.

Aside from that, since you will be spending a lot of time on the open fields, make sure that you take some hats, sun shades, a good sunscreen, a bug repellent, a pair of binoculars, some loose cash, a folding chair, and your camera with some extra batteries.

Also, if there is a dark overcast with the prediction of some passing showers, remember to take an umbrella and a rain poncho with you.

Things to Avoid

There are certain prohibitions for spectators coming over to attend a gold event. You are not allowed to bring toddlers and infants, alcoholic drinks, pets, armaments, large furniture items, signs, placards, radios or musical devices on the court. Check your bag and leave all such things at home.