Oitavos Dunes was ranked No. 55 in the world’s top 100 courses in 2017 according to Golf Magazine.
Of the 89 golf courses in Portugal, nearly half (38) exist in the Algarve, the nation’s sun-soaked southernmost region known as much for its beautiful beaches as, unsurprisingly, its golf courses.
After three-time Open Championship winner Henry Cotton christened Penina in 1966 as the area’s first golf course, the Algarve became a golf hotbed for Northern Europeans looking to escape the wind and rain.
While the region still reigns supreme for golf in Portugal, Cascais, located on the Portuguese Riviera, is looking to give locals and tourists another can’t-miss destination as seven of its courses have joined together to create the Cascais Digital Golf Passport, offering live tee times and discounted rates to play (multiple) courses in the area.
“There are numerous high-quality golf courses in the Cascais area, each with unique designs and challenges,” said Manuel Saragga Heitor, golf director at Quinta da Marinha. “Renowned golf architects have designed many of these courses, adding to their prestige and appeal.
“Not only does the new Golf Passport simplify the booking process, it helps market the region as a unified golfing destination, increasing the visibility of all participating courses and attracting more tourists.”
The seven courses synching up for the Cascais Digital Golf Passport are: Golf do Estoril (Mackenzie Ross), Oitavos Dunes Golf Course (Arthur Hills), Lisbon Sports Club (Hawtree & Sons), Penha Longa Resort (Robert Trent Jones Jr.), Belas Club de Campo (Rocky Roquemore), Pestana Beloura Golf Resort (Rocky Roquemore) and Quinta da Marinha Golf (Robert Trent Jones Sr.).
Quinta d a Marinha was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
A popular seaside resort that was a favorite of King Luís I of Portugal and other European nobility in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Cascais remains a tourist destination for Portuguese and Europeans. Located 30 minutes from the capital city of Lisbon, the municipality is one of the wealthiest in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula.
While Cascais and the surrounding area has hosted sporting and cultural events including the America’s Cup, a prestigious sailing competition, to the Coala Festival, a Brazilian music festival, stakeholders hope the new Golf Pass helps drive more attention, interest and golf participation in the region while boosting the local economy.
“From parkland to links, golf courses around Cascais are renowned for their challenging designs, natural beauty and excellent maintenance,” said Carlos Dias de Castro, golf director at Belas Club de Campo. “… Cascais has a mild climate all year round with mild winters and warm, but not excessively hot summers, which allows golf to be played comfortably in any season.”
While each of the seven courses offer a variety of topography, views and challenges, two of the standouts are Oitavos Dunes and Penha Longa.
Offering a true links experience, Oitavos Dunes, ranked No. 55 in the world in 2017 according to Golf Magazine, is a top-10 course in the country, per Golf Digest’s latest rankings. Boasting dramatic views of the Sintra Mountains, Atlantic Ocean and Cabo da Roca, the area’s appeal has even caught the attention of Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, whose £17 million home is being constructed within view of the course’s clubhouse.
Remnants of an ancient Roman aqueduct provide a unique backdrop at Penha Longa.
Inland from Oitavos and Quinta da Marinha, the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Penha Longa features remnants of an ancient Roman aqueduct which provides a striking backdrop on a number of holes. The Ritz-Carlton resort incorporates a 14th century monastery and chapel within its setting, while cars and motorcycles racing on the nearby Circuito do Estoril, home to the F1 Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984-96, can be heard in the distance.
Already popular among British tourists, the courses banding together as part of the Cascais Digital Golf Passport hope the region will also appeal to American tourists looking to test their golf skills abroad. After all, a flight from New York City to Lisbon is barely an hour longer than a flight from the Big Apple across the country to Los Angeles.
“Penha Longa and Cascais/Sintra are particularly appealing to Americans and British for several reasons,” said Mariana Couto, Penha Longa Resort leisure sales manager. “The region’s rich cultural heritage, including historic castles and UNESCO World Heritage sites, offers plenty of attractions beyond golf. English is widely spoken, which makes communication easy, and the renowned Portuguese hospitality ensures a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“Direct flights from major cities in the U.S. and U.K. to Lisbon make travel straightforward and convenient. The combination of these factors makes the region highly attractive to golf enthusiasts from both countries.”