DESTINATIONGOLF . TRAVEL
AZORES
The dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfall at Flores Island , Azores .
Clube de Golfe da Ilha Terceira
Built in 1954 , this championship course is situated close to Angra do Heroísmo , the capital of Terceira island . Tall pinetrees , brightly-coloured flowers ( particularly azaleas and hydrangeas ), several natural lakes and a superb maintenance embrace the natural beauty of the Azores . Several tees for each hole also give the course a championship flavour and make playing here a truly unforgettable experience . The club is run by a tripartite group , consisting of representatives from the Regional Government of the Azores , the Azores Air Zone , and the American Command .
Furnas
Built in 1936 , Furnas Golf Course was updated in 1986 , with an additional nine holes . Measuring 6,232 metres this 18-hole course has fully matured and the two nines now blend together seamlessly . It is located around 40 minutes from Ponta Delgada , in stunningly beautiful surroundings . The greens are small and undulating , while the tree-lined fairways are very tight . It hosts an international golfing event each year called the Sata Azores Open , in conjunction with the Batalha course .
Batalha
Designed by Cameron Powell , this 6,435-metre course is set on an historic battle site , from which the course name derives . This is the youngest golf course in the Azores , and is an important addition as golf here becomes increasingly attractive . It is located on a plain close to Pinta Delgada , and built on volcanic rock . Being built on volcanic rock created design difficulties but it has resulted in a spectacular contrast between the green playing areas and the dry woods standing on rocky soil across the landscape . The course has been designed to hold major golf events , such as the annual Azores Open .
“ Several tees for each hole also give the course a championship flavour and make playing here a truly unforgettable experience .”
87