Best of 2023 - Portugal
Portugal
is actually always at the top of my travel plans. In July 2023, I got a great birthday present in Cascais with a Van Morrison live concert and three of the best golf courses in the south of Lisbon (read about it in my blog) and in October, the newest golf course in
Comporta
which we found while driving through the Alentejo.
We had to use Google Maps to find the new golf course, as the sat nav would have easily guided us past it. There is still only a small house with a steel gate and a sign saying "Dunas" at the entrance. Nevertheless, you are asked for your tee time before you drive for what feels like a quarter of an hour through a green dune landscape. At the end, the surprise: an endless expanse of driving range, modern e-carts and a stylish clubhouse, which is still a temporary structure. This is where "Dunas Golf Comporta", designed by Scottish golf architect David Mc Lay-Kidd, was opened at the beginning of October, with the 18 holes stretching between Pago beach and the village of Carvahal. Sustainability is a top priority here: This includes low water consumption on the greens, no water hazards and a sophisticated computer-controlled irrigation system supplied with water from ETAR. Behind this is an ambitious project at the Terras das Comporta vacation complex, which is now being actively pursued again after a lengthy standstill. In addition to a luxury resort, further sports facilities, stores and the already completed "Dunas" in the municipality of Grândola, there are also plans for the "Torre" course in Alcácer do Sal, which is being built in collaboration between Masters champions José Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia. When the planned villas and residential buildings are first built, the area will probably be unrecognizable in a few years' time. Golfers will then also find a new clubhouse and Portugal's first international golf academy here. You can read more in a detailed blog.
www.alma-da-comporta.com/dunas-golf-comporta/
Text & photos: Elsa Honecker
