Terras da Comporta

Portugal’s Golf Course Rankings Shake Up

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The “King” has been toppled after 15 years. A new course is at the top.

Top100GolfCourses.com has published its 2026 update to Portugal’s Top 50, and it is being called the most volatile edition in the list’s history, with only four courses holding on to their previous position. That is a lot of movement for a country with around eighty-six eighteen-hole courses spread across five regions.

For anyone planning a golf trip to Portugal this year, it is also useful reading: a top spot is not permanent, and neither is a top-ten place secure. At the summit, a course that only opened in 2023 has done something no course outside the Algarve has managed since 2008: taken the national number one spot. (Top100GolfCourses.com)

A New Name at the Top

Fairway through dune land at Dunas Terras da Comporta golf course near Lisbon

Dunas Terras da Comporta, an hour south of Lisbon on the edge of the Sado Estuary, now sits at number one in Portugal. Designed by David McLay Kidd through natural dune land, it has collected a run of international honours since opening in 2023, and this latest placing confirms it as more than a passing trend. It is the first time since 2008 that a course from the Lisbon & Central region has led the national ranking. Five minutes away, the Torre course, designed by Sergio García, gives the estate a second layout worth building a trip around. Play Dunas Terras da Comporta and the case for both makes itself.

Monte Rei Steps Aside

Monte Rei North golf course in the Eastern Algarve

For fifteen years, Monte Rei North held the number one position in Portugal without serious challenge. That run ends this year. The Jack Nicklaus Signature design near Tavira in the eastern Algarve now sits at number two, still firmly inside the country’s elite, still one of the more complete tests of golf on the Iberian Peninsula. Set among cork oak and pine, the course rewards accuracy over power, and its practice facilities are as complete as its ranking suggests. Fifteen years at the top is not a run many courses anywhere in the world can claim, and second place on a list this competitive is no demotion. It is simply Portuguese golf catching up with itself.

Quinta do Lago South Returns to the Podium

Monte Rei North golf course in the Eastern Algarve

Quinta do Lago South climbed three places to number three, reclaiming a podium finish and reasserting its position as the Algarve’s leading traditional resort course. Set within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, it pairs golf with one of the region’s more distinctive landscapes, saltwater marshland giving way to fairways rather than the other way around. The course has long been the benchmark against which newer Algarve designs are measured, and this year’s ranking makes that case with numbers rather than reputation alone.

Rankings shift from year to year, this year more than most, with six courses entering the Top 25 for the first time. What doesn’t shift is why golfers keep returning to Portugal: more than three hundred days of sunshine in the Algarve, a growing case for Lisbon & Central, and courses across both regions built for a repeat visit, not a single tick on a list. Browse our Algarve golf holidays and see the courses behind the numbers.


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Sergio García Visits Terras da Comporta to Oversee Final Stages of The Torre Course

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Sergio García made a special trip to Portugal to monitor the progress of his latest golf course design project, The Torre Course.Earlier this month, Ryder Cup legend and 2017 Masters champion Sergio García made a special trip to Portugal to monitor the progress of his latest golf course design project, The Torre Course, at Terras da Comporta, Located 130 km from Lisbon. The eagerly awaited course is set to open next summer, completing a stunning 36-hole venue alongside the acclaimed Dunas Course, designed by David McLay-Kidd. García’s visit allowed him to assess the development first-hand, offering insight into the intricate process of shaping this par-72 course, which measures 6,575 meters from the back tees.

García expressed his excitement about the progress, stating, “It was incredibly exciting to see the progress that has been made since my last visit. Of course, we spent a lot of time visualising each hole, but nothing compares to seeing it in the flesh. The course is really starting to take shape, and the whole team is itching to get out there and play it.”

Inspired by the legendary Real Club Valderrama, García’s favourite course, The Torre Course, will challenge golfers with its unique blend of wide fairways, small greens, and well-placed sandy waste bunkers. The course will perfectly complement the existing Dunas Course, which has already garnered global recognition.

The Torre Course’s soon unveiling

As the Terras da Comporta team prepares for The Torre Course’s unveiling, anticipation is building for players and golf fans looking to visit this premier destination. Rodrigo Ulrich, Director of Golf at Terras da Comporta, highlighted the excitement, sharing, “We look forward to welcoming media and tour operators to preview the course next spring and, of course, opening for general play next summer.”

At Tee Times Golf Agency, we are equally excited to include The Torre Course in our range of exclusive golf packages. A few months ago, we published an article about its progress and upcoming opening. With over 30 years of experience offering the best Portugal golf holidays, we are proud to partner with Terras da Comporta to provide tailored golf experiences at this exceptional destination.

Photo by: Azalea Public Relations.

Terras da Comporta: The Torre Course by Sergio Garcia opens in 2025

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Portugal has long been hailed as the premier golf destination in the world, and The Torre Course developed by Vanguard Properties is poised to reinforce this reputation. Situated an hour south of Lisbon, the course boasts stunning natural sandy terrain designed to blend seamlessly with its environment. 

Azalea Public Relations recently interviewed golf legend Sergio Garcia, who eagerly anticipates the grand unveiling of his first major golf course design project. Excitement is being built for The Torre Course at Terras da Comporta, which is set to open in Portugal next summer. Garcia’s involvement marks a significant milestone, as this par-72 layout will be his first complete design responsibility. The Spaniard’s vision underscores sustainable methods, ensuring the course harmonises with the breathtaking landscapes and nearby pristine beaches of Comporta.

“The site is located in striking scenery, just a couple of kilometres from the stunning beaches of Comporta, and the land has all the ingredients for a spectacular golf course. It’s an attractive spot for a golf course, and we’re building it using the best sustainable methods,” said Garcia.

The Torre Course design

The Torre Course, measuring 6,575 meters from the back tees, promises a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. Garcia has crafted a mix of risk-and-reward holes featuring tight fairways and small greens. “We have tried to fit the course as naturally as possible into the landscape to give the guests the feeling that the holes were shaped together with the surroundings by time. Players will find large, sandy waste bunkers along the not-too-overly wide fairways.”

Rodrigo Ulrich, Director of Golf at Terras da Comporta, echoed Garcia’s enthusiasm. “It’s been an amazing first year for The Dunas Course, and we’re expecting people to be just as excited when they see The Torre Course.”

The grand unveiling of The Torre Course coincides with The Dunas Course continuing to garner global recognition, recently being acclaimed as the top golf course in Portugal by Leading Courses. This prestigious accolade underscores the exceptional design, surroundings, maintenance, and hospitality Terras da Comporta offers, assuring golf enthusiasts of an unparalleled experience.

Tee Times Golf Agency presents extraordinary golf and tourism packages for those looking for the ultimate Portugal golf holidays. These offers grant access to world-class courses like The Torre and The Dunas, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience in the world’s finest golf destination. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, Portugal promises top-notch play amidst awe-inspiring scenery and luxurious accommodations.

It will be the turn to inaugurate The Torre Course next year. And one thing is evident: golf in Portugal does not stop growing. 

 

Photos by: Azalea Public Relations.