Lisbon Coast: Where golf is plentiful and good times flow
By David Brice, Golf International Inc
Portugal is one of Europe's truly great golf destinations - that's a fact with which few golfers who have experienced the country will disagree. The more than 60 golf courses contained within this tiny country, no larger than the state of Massachusetts, can only amaze. They are all of an astoundingly high quality, many ranked among Europe's best and with Portugal's wonderful climate, where the golfing season never ends, playing them is literally, a year round affair. Portugal is simply a golfers dream come true -- winter, spring, summer or fall.
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The majority of the best golf is shared between the beach resorts of The Algarve Coast in the southernmost part of the country and the area surrounding Lisbon, Portugal's charming capital city.
It's unusual to find even a single golf course, accessible to visitors and located within a 30 minute drive of any European capital, so the two dozen prime layouts, each with a warm welcome for visitors and practically all situated within 15 miles of the heart of Lisbon, makes this a city with a very special claim to golfing fame.
Picking out the crème de la crème courses to include on a weeklong stay in or around Lisbon, will not be an easy task. Think of it as something like attending a giant gourmet buffet, where every dish is irresistible, but in the back of your head, mother's voice, with warnings of your eyes being larger than your stomach, reminds you that choices must be made. So it is with The Lisbon Coast's bountiful golf - all of the courses cannot possibly be played in a single week and although whatever choices made will never be wrong, decisions must be made.
Selecting the group of 5 courses that veteran golf tour operator, Golf International, includes on its Palacio Bargain Package, was given the careful consideration you would expect from a company that knows Portugal and her golf intimately. They managed to pull together a range of courses that demonstrate the magnificence and diversity of golf available in the area. From parkland gems to tough links-like challenges, to layouts that must be ranked among the world's most handsome, to others that provide simple, unadulterated pleasure and fun -- the end result is a perfect Lisbon Coast, golf cocktail.
Clube de Golf do Estoril is about as pedigreed a golf club as can be found on Continental Europe and founded in 1928, it ranks as the oldest and perhaps the most traditional in the region. The course was moved to its current location in 1945 with a stunning design, masterfully crafted by the fabled Scottish architect, Mackenzie Ross, the same man responsible for Britain's top ranked, Turnberry Ailsa Course.
Not overly long by modern standards, Estoril is a perfect gem of a layout, where strategy is all important and the test of finesse and golfing skills, though sometimes frustrating, will determine your score. The par-3's here are truly outstanding and rate among the best in all of Europe. Thoroughly enchanting surroundings only add to the absolute delight of playing this piece of golf history that for many years was the regular home to The Portuguese Open. Estoril has withstood the test of time, with honor and offers a stylish introduction to golf on The Lisbon Coast.
Oitavos Dunes in comparison, is a relative newcomer, but since this Arthur Hills masterpiece opened in 2001, it's been on a rocket-ride to golf stardom and is already considered Portugal's very best and among the top ten in Europe. It's no coincidence that this testy layout will be hosting The Portuguese Open for the fourth time in 2009.
Squeezed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains, Oitavos is an eye-dazzler with many links-like characteristics, guaranteed to test the most accomplished to the extreme and cause nothing but heart-ache to those of lesser abilities. But to survive the 18-hole battle of skill, wits and sheer determination will provide that sense of achievement known only to golfers. This is serious golf at its very best and a not to be missed treat for any golf aficionado.
Penha Longa's Atlantic Course is one for the big hitters to spread their shoulders and let it rip, but be warned, accuracy must never be forsaken. Robert Trent Jones Jr., has provided a variety filled track that simply brims over with imagination and creativity and it's likely to stay in your memory for years to come. As tough as The Atlantic can be, if tackled from the forward tees, even the high handicappers will have an enjoyable round, packed with thrills.
As stern as Penha Longa's test might be, it's never unfair and sets out with four par-4's that gradually increase in difficulty, easing you into the challenges that lie ahead. The sixth is the beautiful signature hole, rated by Britain's Golf World Magazine as being among the top 500 holes in the world. Downhill and downwind, the slight dogleg right is a cunning examination of accuracy as cleverly placed bunkers are avoided on the journey to the rather generous green. Fronted by a lake with an historic Roman aqueduct located behind, leave your admiration of the scenery until your ball has been holed and you could escape with only a bogey.
Praia d'El Rey is a sparkler of an ocean front layout that sits about a 50-minute drive north of Estoril, but the extra driving will be more than well rewarded by this spectacular links-like layout that is as challenging as it is handsome.
The setting, along a two-mile stretch of pristine white sand beach, pounded by the Atlantic surf is stunning. The views can also be distracting as the track races back and forth between woodland and the links holes along the ocean front. This is where you can imagine you are playing one of the great links courses of Scotland or Ireland, complete with the sea winds -- though thankfully they are not quite as vicious.
Praia d'El Rey is another Lisbon Coast layout for the memory book and with a selection of tee positions, as much exhilarating fun for the scratch golfer from the back tees as it is for the high handicappers, from the front. It's one of those layouts that reminds everyone; why they love this game so much.
Quinta da Marinha is another layout that combines a seaside location and beautiful views, with a scrappy design, assembled by the legendary, Robert Trent Jones Sr. The hazards are numerous, with a profusion of well-placed bunkers and a more than adequate supply of water, delivered in the form of lakes, including a virtual island green on the 10th. Fairness however always prevails and all of this delightful course's defenses are in clear view, so keep your eyes open, sticking to the prescribed path and a good-looking scorecard will be yours.
Quinta da Marinha offers a perfect introduction to golf on The Lisbon Coast and with its low stress level, an ideal course to be savored, if not relished, by all. Let's not forget, golf is only a game and games are to be enjoyed.
Golf along The Lisbon Coast is quite special, with a character entirely of its own, so take advantage of any visit to this enchanting region and experience as much golf as well as the many other attractions, as time will allow. For more ideas and suggestions on how to get the most of your Lisbon Coast trip, click here.
©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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