Senior Golf

Senior Golf Heads North: A Day at Estela

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The fifth leg of Portugal’s national senior Order of Merit drew sixty competitors to one of the rarest courses in continental Europe

The 5th National Order of Merit tournament of the Associação Nacional de Seniores de Golfe (ANSG) took place at Estela Golf Club in Póvoa de Varzim on 24 May 2026. Sixty players made the trip, with two of the competition’s largest delegations travelling from Viseu and the Algarve — a sign of how far the national senior circuit now reaches. (apsgolfe.pt)

A Rare Setting

Estela holds a particular distinction in Portuguese golf. Situated on the Atlantic coast north of Porto, it is considered a pure links — one of the very few courses of its kind in continental Europe. The fairways presented in immaculate condition on the day, drawing unanimous praise from competitors, and mild weather ensured play ran smoothly from first tee to final putt.

Estela Golf Course North Portugal

The Results

Competition across all four categories was closely fought throughout.

In Seniores, António Viegas took the net title with 37 points, ahead of José Vale on 35. The gross prize went to Rui Batista Santos.

Super Seniores saw Ignácio Fierro claim net honours on 36 points, with José Manuel Castro second on 35. James Thomson was the gross winner.

In Master Seniores, António Lobo led net on 37 points, ahead of Michell Fichaux on 35. Mário Casimiro Paiva took the gross prize with 23 points.

5th National Order of Merit Tournament Winners

The Senhoras competition was among the most closely contested of the day. Isabel Guedes won net on 35 points, Fátima Pitta second on 33. Margarida Sampaio claimed the gross prize, with Maria José Pinto in second. Pedro Carvalho of ACP Golfe was named best guest.

Nearest the Pin honours went to : Hole 2: José Vale  |  Hole 4: Margarida Sampaio  |  Hole 12: Maria José Pinto  |  Hole 17: João Souto

After the Round

Competitors gathered for a well-regarded post-round lunch before the prize-giving and a tombola closed out the day. The ANSG circuit has earned its reputation on exactly this kind of occasion: competitive golf taken seriously, followed by an afternoon taken well.

5th National Order of Merit Tournament Lunch
Portugal’s senior golf community travels. From the Algarve to Viseu, players make the journey — and Estela, on the Atlantic coast north of Porto, is worth every kilometre.

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For those looking to explore the courses of the north, Tee Times has golf breaks around Porto to suit every itinerary.

Retief Goosen Wins Mitsubishi Electric Classic

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— and Completes a 24-Year Double at TPC Sugarloaf

Some courses have a way of remembering you. TPC Sugarloaf, it seems, has a particularly long memory.

Retief Goosen won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic on Sunday in Duluth, Georgia — 24 years after he claimed the PGA Tour’s BellSouth Classic on the very same course. A tidy bit of symmetry for a man who has always made the game look effortlessly unhurried.

Retief Goosen holds the trophy after winning the 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Classic at TPC Sugarloaf

The 57-year-old South African closed with a 14-point final round under the Modified Stableford scoring system, finishing on 39 points to beat Stephen Ames by two. It was his fifth win in 150 starts on the Champions Tour.

The Modified Stableford format rewards aggression — birdies earn two points, eagles five, while bogeys cost you one and doubles three. It is golf with the handbrake off. Goosen entered the final round three points behind 36-hole leader Zach Johnson, then made five birdies in a six-hole stretch between the 2nd and 7th to surge clear. A bogey-free back nine and a birdie at the last sealed it with quiet authority. “The putter this week got me going,” Goosen said, “and that’s how you win tournaments.”

Hard to argue with a man who has been saying that sort of thing since his first US Open in 2001.

But the moment that will linger longest had nothing to do with the leaderboard. Goosen’s son Leo, 23, was there in person to watch it happen — the first time he had seen his father win since the 2004 US Open, when Leo was just one year old. “I think the biggest emotion is that I’ve won in front of my son,” Goosen said. Twenty-three years in the making. Worth the wait.
Zach Johnson finished third on 36 points, with Stewart Cink a shot further back in fourth.

At 57, Goosen is proof that timing, touch, and a hot putter remain ageless. A two-time US Open champion. A Champions Tour winner. And now, a man who has conquered the same course in two different decades.

Some courses, it turns out, remember the right people.

Portugal Shines at ESGA 2025: Vice-Champions in Super Seniors Net

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Portugal’s journey at the ESGA 2025 (European Senior Golf Association) Super Seniors & Masters Team Championship in Denmark ended with pride, passion, and remarkable achievements. Representing the Associação Nacional Sénior de Golfe de Portugal (ANSGP), the Portuguese teams delivered an impressive performance that left a lasting mark on the European senior golf scene.

From July 14 to 17, the competition was played on three golf courses: Lyngbygaard Golf Club, Stensballegaard Golf Club and Mollerup Golf Club.

The spotlight was firmly on the ESGA Super Seniors Team Cup (Net), where Portugal secured a prestigious second place, finishing just three points behind the host nation, Denmark. This runner-up position crowns one of the best collective performances by the Portuguese in ESGA history, marked by unity, resilience, and competitive spirit across all three days.

Standout performances came from the duo Joaquim Pires and Anastácio Mendes, who scored 43 and 45 points on the first two days of the pairs format. The final round was also filled with emotion, as Valdemar Carvalho celebrated his 80th birthday—an unforgettable moment commemorated with a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday” on the tee box by his teammates.

In the ESGA Super Seniors Team Championship (Gross), Portugal achieved its best-ever result: a commendable 13th place. The entire squad performed consistently well, with all three pairs posting identical scores on the first day. José Cruz and José Cândido de Oliveira showed steady form on Days 2 and 3, contributing to a strong overall team effort.

ESGA 2025: high-level golf

The Portuguese contingent in the ESGA Masters Team Trophy also impressed, finishing in 10th place. The pair of José Melo Cabral and Agostinho Lucas stood out in the early rounds, showcasing great form and focus.

Across all three competitions, the Portuguese teams displayed high-level golf, sportsmanship, and a strong team spirit—qualities that elevated the name of ANSGP and Portugal throughout the event.

With 2026 challenges set in Italy, Finland, and Croatia, the road ahead begins now. Participation in upcoming ANSGP tournaments will determine who carries the Portuguese flag in next year’s ESGA European Championships. The bar has been set high, and the passion to represent Portugal remains stronger than ever.