During a lifetime of golfing activities I have built up a special rapport with the golfing fraternity of the Algarve. My personal knowledge of the golf courses, hotels and other recreational activities guarantees a memorable visit for you.

Just don't forget your clubs!

The Algarve, a mere 2 ½ hours flight from London and a magnet for golfers for almost three decades. The southern area of Portugal is famous for its incredible views, scenery and coastline. Add to the party two dozen of the best golf courses in Europe, fantastic cuisine, some of the friendliest people in the world and what do you get…..

Ultimate year-round golf heaven

Portugal's golf history is one of the oldest on mainland Europe and golf in Portugal completed its centenary in 1990.

The first course in the Algarve was built in the 1920`s between Portimão and the nearby beach of Praia da Rocha. The lack of freshwater meant its 'greens' were 'browns' and consisted of a mixture of sand and oil. It was the legendary Henry Cotton who put the Algarve on the golf map. In the mid-sixties at Penina he designed the first proper grass course. It was the first of three he designed in the Algarve, a place he loved and made his home for almost 30 years.

During the 1970`s the 1980`s and on into the first half of the 1990`s, golf courses mushroomed all along Portugal`s south coast as it became increasingly attractive to holidaymakers from northern Europe.

The mainly arid Algarve countryside familiar to summer visitors gives way to verdant oasis at each of the golf complexes thanks to large, state-funded water catchment and distribution schemes, as well as private boreholes which tap into subterranean water sources for irrigation. Holes made tricky by water hazards are, therefore, not an infrequent feature on Algarve courses.

Golf is an all-year-round sport in the Algarve, though the main season is from late autumn to late spring. Winters are mild and golfers from northern European countries can enjoy warm, sunny days and keep their swings smooth at a time when their home courses are unplayable.

Although golf is easily the main sport played in the Algarve by visitors and residents alike, plenty of other sports activities can be enjoyed throughout the year. They include tennis, squash, horse-riding, clay-pigeon shooting, micro-light flying and the whole gamut of water sports from surfing to scuba-diving.

In general, you will find that the Algarve, with its mild climate, reasonably priced restaurants, breathtaking scenery, friendly people and excellent golf courses, all combine to make it a memorable holiday.