by EMMA BERTENSHAW [email protected]
UK golfing magazine Today’s Golfer (TG) named the Algarve as its readers’ number one European choice for best value in golfing locations.
This is the first year that the magazine has held the awards, placing the Algarve coast firmly as a UK favourite golfing destination.
Beating the Turkish and Spanish competitors with 32% of the votes from UK readers, Algarve golf courses named in order of preference were Vilamoura’s Oceânico Old Course, Palmares on the outskirts of Lagos and San Lorenzo at Quinta do Lago.
In the best hotel/resort category for Portugal, the five star Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo resort came first, followed by the oldest established golf course at five star Le Meridien Penina and Dom Pedro Vilamoura, a four star hotel close to the beach.
TG editor Andy Calton congratulated the winners and thanked golfers who participated in the voting process.
“The inaugural awards have exceeded all our expectations and hopefully in time they will be referred to as the ‘Oscars of the golf travel industry’,” he said.
Onyria Palmares was also listed in Golf World’s top 100 courses in Europe, ranking 26th.
Meanwhile, readers are reminded that the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), one of Europe’s leading golf fairs, will be held in the Algarve this year.
The event attracts more than 600 golf tourism suppliers from around 55 countries and is aimed at suppliers, buyers and media involved in the sport.
Over three days, golf businesses can meet and take the time to network through the many opportunities that the fair presents.
Peter Grimst, director of the organisers, says the Algarve has built up a prestigious reputation within the golfing world, offering a number of courses designed by famous players such as Sir Henry Cotton, Arnold Palmer, Sir Nick Faldo and Severiano Ballesteros.
“The quality of golf courses and resorts are exceptional, and we will have all the necessary logistics to organise a truly outstanding event,” he said.
The IGTM will take place at the Tivoli Marina Hotel in Vilamoura between November 12 and 15.
For further information, please visit www.igtm.co.uk
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