Golf in Portugal has a rich history that dates back almost 125 years. The story began in 1890 when the Oporto Niblicks Golf Club, now Oporto Golf Club, emerged as the first course on the Iberian Peninsula and the fifth in continental Europe. 24 members gave life to the founding golf club in Portugal.
Initially enjoyed by Britons who had left their country, golf found its home near the mouth of the Douro River in Porto. By 1900, the golf course had expanded from 9 holes to 18. As the 20th century progressed, Lisbon also embraced golf, and the Lisbon Sports Club and Estoril Club created their courses, expanding the niche.
Today, the Oporto Golf Club honours its history. Its undulating holes wind through the Portuguese geography with the same charm as the holes on the best courses in the United Kingdom. Philip Mackenzie Ross remodelled the course in the late 1950s and was responsible for maintaining the original imprint.
Sir Henry Cotton’s vision to transform golf in Portugal
In the 1960s, Sir Henry Cotton’s vision transformed the Algarve by introducing the Penina Resort Championship course. At this crucial moment, it integrated golf into the region’s tourism offering, laying the foundation for future developments. Cotton also designed Vale do Lobo and one of the golf jewels in the south of the Algarve: Quinta de Benamor. A par 71 of 6,100 yards that shines among hills and leafy trees.
The late 1970s and 1980s saw a boom in golf courses in the Algarve, with iconic designs such as Palmares, Vilamoura Old Course, and San Lorenzo enriching the landscape. At the end of the 1980s, Portugal had 23 courses.
The 1990s saw a golf boom, which doubled the number of courses, surpassing 50 in the millennium. The Algarve remained a hotspot, but other regions, including the north, the central continent, Madeira and the Azores, joined the golf scene. In that decade, we founded Tee Times Golf Agency, offering Portugal golf breaks to worldwide golfers who began hiring our services.
As The Clubhouse Algarve Magazine explains, Oporto Golf Club proudly claims the Skeffington Cup, created in 1891, to be one of the world’s oldest continuously contested golf trophies. This rich history illustrates the development of the sport, becoming an integral part of Portugal’s culture and sport.
In 2024, we commemorate 75 years of the Portuguese Golf Federation as we approach the celebration of the 125 years of the Oporto Golf Club. Golf in Portugal is an example of a harmonious coexistence between sport and nature, with spectacular golf courses that serve as a perfect transition between land and sea. The century we live in promises to add more colour and personality to Portugal’s golf legacy. And we will be there, providing the best service for those who choose to enjoy their Portugal golf holidays with us.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Portugal’s golf courses offer something for everyone. From the Algarve’s stunning coastal courses to the Oporto’s historical courses, Portugal is a golfing paradise that should be on every golfer’s bucket list. So, why not book your next trip to play golf in Portugal today and experience the country’s rich golfing history for yourself?
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