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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc

Finding the perfect escape from the rigors of an American winter is never a difficult task if top quality golf is to be a consideration. Head across the Atlantic Ocean to The Iberian Peninsula where Portugal and Spain offer not only an amazing collection of some of Europe's very best golf, but the ideal climate to enjoy playing them 365 days a year. Better yet, most of the top layouts are conveniently located in just a couple of convenient clusters in each country.

Oitavos hosted the Portuguese Open in 2005 & 2007

In Portugal you will find two-dozen of the country's primary courses within 25 miles or so of the capital of Lisbon, a region known as The Lisbon Coast. An equally impressive golf cluster of 30 excellent courses is located in The Algarve, sitting a brief two hour drive south of the capital, along 100 miles of one of the most attractive shorelines in Europe.

On The Lisbon Coast, just outside of Cascais, a charming fishing village cum beach resort, Oitavos Golf Club, is a relative newcomer that sky-rocketed to the uppermost reaches of Portugal's golf rankings, immediately after it opened in 2002. In 2003 it was voted The Best New Course in Europe and by 2005 was a part of The European Tour.

Enjoying a spectacular cliff-top setting, wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains, this is the first European endeavor for American designer, Arthur Hill, a challenge he has carried out with style and aplomb. Hill has produced a calling card for himself that will certainly lead to many more European assignments.

Cantankerous sea breezes and serious bunkers add to the Oitavos challenge

The course already has the maturity and feeling of a wise old centenarian that has always occupied this panoramic site, a sentiment evidently shared by the European Tour, when they gave Oitavos the honor of hosting the 2005 Portuguese Open. Never before had such a prestigious event been given to a layout so young, perhaps an omen of the future in store for this true champion.

For all of its good looks and charm, this is not a layout for the novice. Stretching to almost 7,000 yards from the tips, Oitavos offers a links-style challenge, tough enough to test even the scratch golfer to the extreme and from the forward tees, still a stern examination for the mid to high handicapper. If you are looking for holiday golf, Oitavos may not be for you -- despite being one of Portugal's most handsome layouts, this is serious golf with a sense of sobriety reminding us all that although golf may be a game, it's a game of skill and at this level, perhaps not the place for beginners.

The very open design has many links-like characteristics, not the least of which its exposure to the sea. This is the Atlantic Ocean where sea breezes can quickly become cantankerous and turn into gusting winds and when the wind blows, it packs a punch, adding another degree of excitement to the round. In true links style, Oitavos also boasts a good selection of sand dunes, especially along the middle holes where it plays through a stunningly natural dunescape, bringing with it even more links challenges.

From links-like elements to woodland, Oitavos is packed with variety

But this is a course filled with variety, sometimes running through stands of Iberian Umbrella Pines, then through the dunes to rugged outcroppings of rock, then dunes again. Yet for all of the variety Oitavos contains, it's a design that flows in such a natural way, everything makes perfect sense. Excellent and imaginative design, faultless maintenance and spectacular views of ocean and mountains from every hole, makes it easy to understand how Oitavos has reached stardom so quickly. This is a layout to be added to every visitor's must play list.

Spain's major golf centers are just as convenient as Portugal's, with more than 60 courses scattered along the Costa del Sol, which runs east from Gibraltar for 100 miles along The Mediterranean to the city of Malaga. Spain's second golf cluster of more than another 20 courses is to be found along the Costa Brava. Starting some 40 miles northeast of Barcelona the Costa Brava extends a further 60 miles, all the way to the French border.

Emporda Golf Club ranks alongside the best on the Spanish Costa Brava

Leading this small but very distinguished course grouping is the Emporda Golf Resort, a haven for the game's true connoisseurs, with a pair of layouts good enough to tempt even the most jaded golf traveler. Emporda's Links and Forest Courses showcase Spanish golf in the grandest of style.

Both courses are the handiwork of Texas born architect, Robert von Hagge, a maestro at squeezing the most (and then some) from any site. Doral's Blue Monster and TPC Woodlands in Houston are just two outstanding examples of von Hagge's more than 100 US creations, but it's on the international golf scene where the man has really excelled. His creations are to be found in Australia, Japan, Mexico, the Caribbean and in France, where 3 of the country's top 10 courses, Seignosse, Les Bordes and Paris National, all bear his signature. Robert von Hagge's well-earned reputation for building handsome, tough, yet thoroughly playable layouts followed him to Spain, as evidenced at Emporda.

The two courses complement each other magnificently, making it difficult to have a preference for either -- so there really is no alternative but to play both and try to decide for yourself -- things could be far worse!

Emporda's cathedral-like stands of umbrella pines

The Forest Course is filled with a majestic drama as its narrow fairways wind their way through a veritable jungle of tall, umbrella pines, at times creating an almost cathedral-like feeling - and when was the last time you played golf in a cathedral? Water has been used in moderation, but it's effective, subtly adding complexity to the test, which at a very respectable 6,750 yards from the back tees, is stern and far from a simple walk in the park.

This is a layout for the thinking golfer, where accuracy, accompanied by correct club selection and a healthy dose of strategy are all rewarded well. The bunkering is bold, at times almost audaciously so and these are not the kind of mild mannered, token bunkers that you may be accustomed to on your home course.

Emporda's water hazards are plentiful

The Links Course, although not a true links, does contain many links-like elements. The rippling fairways are wide, filled with sometimes wild undulations and open to a wind that can gust and play its own games. Von Hagge has added dune-like hazards to be contended with and the rough is as close to that found on a Royal Dornoch or a Carnoustie, as you're ever likely to encounter -- deep, thick and with an insatiable appetite, it's to be avoided at all costs.

Any big hitter who lacks accuracy, but feels they must spread their shoulders and let it rip, is likely heading for trouble - this links demands respect from all and makes no exceptions.

Unlike a true links, there's an abundance of water with 8 lakes scattered around the course and Von Hagge has used them with a cunning tenacity. He brings the wet stuff into play on more than half the holes, compounding the need for careful thought before every shot.

Adding to the pleasure of playing at Emporda are the beautiful Costa Brava surroundings and immaculate maintenance that keeps both courses in tip-top condition, including the greens which must be among the very best to be found in Europe.

Experience golf in either Portugal or Spain just once and you will quickly appreciate not only the wealth of courses, but also the unfailing quality they all contain. The golfing Gods have indeed been generous in the blessings they have bestowed on The Iberian Peninsula.

For more ideas and suggestions on playing the very best of Spanish and Portuguese courses, click here or call Golf International at 800.833.1389

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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