Two trophies, our focus title kept, and a heavier bag for the flight home.
The World Golf Awards went to Africa for the first time this year, and Tee Times went with them. At Madinaty Golf Club, on the eastern edge of New Cairo, on the evening of 7 November 2026, Tee Times Golf Holidays was named Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator for the second year running, and Portugal’s Best Outbound Golf Tour Operator for good measure. The hand luggage was heavier on the way home. (World Golf Awards)
Two Trophies and a Title Defended
Director Carlos Ferreira went up to collect both awards in front of a room full of hoteliers, course owners, tourism boards and fellow operators from every corner of the golfing world. Tee Times went to Egypt with four nominations, including a first-ever tilt at World’s Best Golf Tour Operator.
The winners are decided by votes from golf industry professionals, the media and the travelling public, which is why this one means so much to the team. It extends a run that began in Vilamoura in 1993 and has so far brought Portugal’s Best Inbound Golf Tour Operator in 2020 and 2021, Portugal’s Best Outbound Golf Tour Operator in 2022 and Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator 2025. To everyone who voted: thank you. (Golf Business News; World Golf Awards)
Golf Before Gala
The weekend began with arrivals on Thursday 5 November at The St. Regis New Capital, the official hotel, followed on Friday by the networking golf day on Madinaty’s Championship Course. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed it, Troon manages it, and in 2022 it hosted the Asian Tour’s first visit to Egypt. A ten o’clock shotgun start sent the whole field out at once, which is rather the point. (World Golf Awards)
Networking golf is a curious discipline. Business is discussed between shots, cards are swapped on the tee, and nobody admits to their real handicap. Carlos made good use of the day, sharing fairways with the people who run the courses and hotels our clients play and stay at. That evening the welcome reception and barbecue back at The St. Regis carried the conversation on, smart casual and in no hurry.
Saturday morning brought the World Golf Awards Classic, again on the Championship Course, before coaches carried guests back to Madinaty in the evening for cocktails at seven and the gala dinner and ceremony at eight. The dress code asked for suits, jackets and cocktail dresses. Shorts, as predicted, did not make the cut. (World Golf Awards)
Chris Frost, Managing Director of World Golf Awards, called the first African edition “a landmark moment for us”. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Robert Trent Jones Jr., whose designs span more than 300 courses in over 50 countries, including the one the guests had been playing all weekend. There are worse ways to honour an architect than handing him a trophy on his own course. (Golf Business News; Breaking Travel News)
A Big Night for Portugal
Portugal was named World’s Best Golf Destination again, and Portuguese names kept appearing on the big screen all evening. The Silver Coast took World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination, Terras da Comporta won World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility and Quinta do Lago was named World’s Best Golf Academy Venue. Madeira claimed two world titles of its own: Santo da Serra for the best par 3 hole and Palheiro for the best panoramic clubhouse. (World Golf Awards)
At European level, the Old Course Vilamoura was named Europe’s Best Golf Course, which pleases us more than most, since it sits on our doorstep. Palmares won Europe’s Best Golf Clubhouse, PGA Aroeira the eco-friendly title and Quinta do Lago Europe’s Best Golf Venue. At home, Monte Rei was named Portugal’s Best Golf Course and Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel.
Play the Winners
Trophies look fine on a shelf, but they look better as a fixture list. An Algarve golf holiday can take in the Old Course, Quinta do Lago and Monte Rei in a single week, while the Silver Coast pairs Praia D’El Rey with Royal Óbidos and West Cliffs, about an hour north of Lisbon. On Madeira, Santo da Serra and Palheiro come with Funchal’s restaurants in between.
Our team has been booking these courses for more than three decades and knows which tee time suits which flight, which hotel suits which group, and where to eat on the night off. Tell us how you like to play, and we will put the winners together for you.
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