In 1856, when the first golf club on Continental Europe was formed at the British holiday colony of Pau, in southwest France, there were just 28 clubs in Scotland and only 3 in England.

 

Golf on the Continent grew apace with British golf, most notable in countries popular with turn of the century British holiday-makers, escaping a cool, damp homeland, taking bowler hats and golf clubs along with them.

 

Portugal, Spain and France remain the heart and soul of Continental golf today.  Each offers a wide array of superb quality courses, all blessed with delightful weather, making golf a year round pleasure.  It is perhaps no coincidence and indeed a tribute to the fine taste of those early British golfers, that each of our countries is also noted for its cuisine, excellent wines and other diversions.

 

From the charm of Portugal and its diversity of golf, to Spain’s well earned distinction as 1997 host to the Ryder Cup, to the sophistication of France, we proudly bring you the very best of Continental Europe’s golf...and other pleasures.

 

Portugal

Although small, this engaging country's year round golfing is varied and of the highest caliber.  But Portugal is also warm, friendly people, delectable food and wines, fascinating sightseeing, culture, history, wonderful shopping and Europe’s best value for money.

 

Regions

 

Posto Costa Verde

The enchanting, northwestern region of emerald green forest, brilliant blue water and pristine beaches, vineyards and whitewashed villages.  The home of port wine and famous Vinho Verde.

 

Courses

Porto Portugal’s oldest (1890) and a links course little changed since British port wine shippers first established the club.

 

Estela - A very fair yet unforgiving links which humbled Europe’s best pros when it hosted the Portuguese Open in l99l.  Reminiscent of a St. Andrews, with sunshine.

 

Costa de Lisboa

Courses

Penha Longa - Situated in an area of historic and cultural importance.

 

Estoril Palacio - Mackenzie Ross, creator of Scotland’s Turnberry, produced no less a masterpiece.

 

Quinta da Marinha - An unusual R.T. Jones design with five par 5’s and 6 par 3’s.

 

Troia - Often called “Portugal’s Pine Valley”, this is as genuine a test of golf as exists anywhere.

 

Algarve

With 3,300 hours of sunshine a year, more than any Mediterranean resort, the Algarve is the perfect spot for a winter escape with Portugal’s largest concentration of courses.

 

Courses

Quinta do Lago - Host to 6 recent Portuguese Opens.

 

San Lorenzo - Another of Portugal’s top rated courses.

 

Vale do Lobo - Lingering memories of Portugal will be playing along the red sandstone cliff tops.

 

Vila Sol - There are those who say this is the best work of British designer Donald Steel.

 

Vilamoura 1 - Inarguably the best of the 3 Vilamoura courses.

 

Penina - Highly rated by the experts since opening in 1966.

 

Palmares - Wending its way through almond, fig and palm trees.

 

Madeira - Portugal’s paradise island; lush, semi tropical and cascading waterfalls.

 

Palheiro - Highly acclaimed as one of Europe’s most beautiful courses.

 

Santo da Serra - Laid out across and down a volcanic mountainside by Robert Trent

Jones.

 

Spain

Hosting more tournaments of the European P.G.A. than any other country, Spain achieved superstar status when designated as site for the 1997 Ryder Cup.  With Seve Ballesteros as its native son and the Costa del Sol as its golf course, this is golfing heaven.

 

Costa del Sol

Courses

Alcaidesa - With sand dunes, gorse and heather, this is as close to a Scottish links course as can be found this far south

 

Aloha - This long course, designed by Spain’s premiere golf architect, Javier Arana, will delight all levels of player.

 

Las Brisas - A daunting challenge and one of Europe’s finest courses which has hosted the prestigious World Cup Championship.

 

San Roque - A recent piece of brilliant inspiration from Tony Jacklin.

 

Sotgrande Old - Voted as one of Europe’s top 10 courses.

 

Torreuebrada - One of Spain’s very special hidden gems.

 

Valderrama - Home of the Volvo Masters and host to the 1997 Ryder Cup.

 

France

More than 400 quality courses lie scattered throughout the most beautiful parts of the French countryside; from the beaches of Normandy to Paris; from the vineyards of Bordeaux to Biaritz to perhaps the best of all, those located in Provence and along the Riviera.

 

Regions

Courses

Bordeau to Biavitz

Chateau des Vigiers - A Donald Steel design, acclaimed on of Rance’s best new courses.

 

Chiberta - Rated as one of the top courses in France.

 

Seignosse - Pine, cork oak, water hazards and sand dunes make a unique combination at this course.

 

Paris & The Loire Valley

Les Brodes, Loire - One of the most prestigious courses in France, certainly the most picturesque.

 

Cheverny, Loire - A thoroughly enjoyable woodland course, meandering around a magnificent 100 acre lake.

 

Golf De Fontenailles, Paris - Officially rated in the top 25 courses of France, the front 9 a sheer joy, but be prepared for the challenging back 9.

 

Itineraries

The Best of Portugal - 7 Days / 6 Nights / 4 Rounds of Golf                                                       

Day 1   Arrive Lisbon.  Drive to Estoril for 3 night stay at Hotel Palacio (deluxe)

            or Hotel Ingliterra (first class)                                               

Day 2   Golf Estoril                                                              

Day 3   Golf Penha Longa                                                  

Day 4   Morning drive to the Algarve for 3 night stay at Hotel Quinta do Lago

            (deluxe) or Hotel Almansor (first class)               

Day 5   Golf Penina                                                             

Day 6   Golf Vale do Lobo                                                  

Day 7   Depart Portugal                      

 

Spain-Seve’s Selection - 7 Days / 6 Nights / 5 Rounds of Golf

Day 1   Arrive Malaga for 6 night stay at the Marbella Club (deluxe) or San Roque

            Hotel (first class)

Day 2   Golf Alcaidesa

Day 3   Golf San Roque

Day 4   Golf Las Brisas

Day 5   Golf Sotogrande Old

Day 6   Golf Valderrnma

Day 7   Depart Spain

 

France-Mediterranean Challenge - 7 Days / 6 Nights / 5 Rounds of Golf

Day 1   Arrive Nice.  Drive to Hotel Golf Plaza, Ste. Maxime (deluxe) or Les Mas

            Candille, Mougins (first class) for 4 night stay

Day 2   Golf Ste. Maxime

Day 3   Golf Cannes-Mougins

Day 4   Golf Esterel

Day 5   Morning Golf Valbonne.  Drive to monte Carlo for 2 night stay at Hotel

            de Paris (deluxe) or Hotel Abela (first class)

Day 6   Golf Monte Carlo

Day 7   Depart Nice                                                                                    

                  

Tour	First Class	Deluxe	Non-Golfer Reduction
Portugal
The Best of Portugal   (7 Days)	$1,285	$1,655	$250
Madeira Treat          (8 Days)	$1,260	$1,495	$220
Algarve A La Mode  (8 Days)	NA	$2,248	$285
Spain
Seve’s Selection (7 Days)	$1,688	$1,879	$300
France
Mediterranean Challenge (7 Days)	$2,024	$2,689	$400
Paris & Chateau Country (7 Days)	NA	$2,385	$475
Vineyards & Golf (7 Days)	$1,918	$2,549	$310