Destination Golf Portugal 2017 * | Page 3

Welcome to Portugal in 2017 Thank you to Destination Golf Media for publishing Destination Golf Portugal 2017/18 Destination Golf Portugal 2017 is your guide to golfing in Portugal, one of the most relevant publications for the promotion of golf tourism to Portugal. Portugal is known as a summer destination in Ireland, with over 3,000 hours of sun per year, 850Km of coastline and numerous white sandy beaches, perfect for holiday makers. As sunshine and mild weather make Algarve and Lisbon all year round destinations, Portugal also has more to offer in other less know regions like Porto, Northern Portugal & Douro Valley, Alentejo and Centre of Portugal with vibrant towns, full of culture and quality restaurants and bars where you can try some local delicacies and experience some of the country’s best kept secrets. Alentejo is situated between the Algarve and Lisbon and accessible from both Faro and Lisbon airports. Centre of Portugal can be reached from both Lisbon and Porto airports and Porto, Douro Valley and Northern Portugal from Dublin, with direct flights to Porto airport. Playing golf in Portugal remains in the memories of all those who try it. And why? Excellent courses in stunning settings, a mild climate all year round and the friendly welcome given to golfers. Awarded World’s Best Golf Destination by the World Golf Awards for the third year in a row (2014, 2015 and 2016), Portugal has a wide range of courses with characteristics to suit different levels of difficulty and different budgets. There are about ninety courses throughout the country, of which 57 are 18- hole and 9 are 27-hole, with a range of layouts and major golfing challenges recognised by the most experienced golf professionals. Portugal also welcomes two professional golf events in 2017, Portugal Masters from 21st to 24th September, organised by Dom Pedro Victoria, Algarve and the Open de Portugal, after a 7 year absence, from 11th to 14th May 2017, organised by Morgado Golf Resort (NAU Hotels), Algarve. Welcome to Portugal and all it has to offer. António Soveral Padeira Director UK & Ireland Portuguese National Tourist Office