Ribagolfe Club, Portugal

Opened in the summer of 2004 The Ribagolfe Club (30 minutes drive east of Lisbon, Portugal) has of two courses, Ribagolfe I and Ribagolfe II, each an 18-hole par 72. Because of the nature of its terrain, environmental characteristics and specific layout, this golfing complex rivals the best courses that Europe has to offer and occupies a third of the area of the Vargem Fresca Estate. Considered to be a “sensational course”, Ribagolfe already has its name included on the list of applicants to host events in national and European golf tournaments. The club has a vast practice course, which, besides a driving range, includes two pitching and chipping areas, practice bunkers and putting greens.

The two courses of Ribagolf Club, designed by Peter Townsend & Michael King (European Golf Design), are set within a forest of cork oak trees and the design makes full use of the sweeping undulations of the site, providing many spectacular golf holes across valleys and lakes; both have a distinct Valderrama feel and take full advantage of the gently undulating landscape and lovely natural surroundings. The courses stimulate all five senses, where the natural elements, as part of the game, provide new challenges for the more discerning golfer.

Ribagolfe I (alias Blue Course) – has been created as a potential tournament venue. The fairly narrow fairway corridors through the cork oaks place the emphasis on accurate shot-making rather than length while large bunkers increase the challenge, particularly around the greens. The Blue Course is considered to be a sensational layout, in which the natural element becomes an important part of the game and provides fresh challenges for even the most demanding of golfers.

Three of the Par 5’s have an element of risk and reward for any golfer attempting to find the green in two shots. In particular the 12th hole requires a shot played over a lake to find the green. Water also comes into play on two other holes; the short par 4 14th, where the golfer must chose how much of the lake he should carry with his drive in order to reach the fairway, and the par 3 15th where the tee shot must be played over a lake to an angled green.

The Ribagolfe II (alias Green Course) – is unlike its bigger sister as it is mainly designed as a golf course for the Members, although visitors are allowed to play. The holes are laid out over undulating ground with sufficient water hazards and bunkers to challenge most golfers. The fairways are decorated with the typical cork trees famous to the Alentejo region.

Although the surrounding “open” woodland scenery remains constant throughout, every hole is individually sculpted, ensuring a thoroughly interesting and absorbing round from start to finish.

The courses stimulate all five senses, where the natural elements, as part of the game, provide new challenges for the more discerning golfer and there is no question, any first time visit to Ribagolfe should involve playing both courses. After finishing their round, golfers can enjoy the peaceful comfort of the fully equipped clubhouse, which also contains a restaurant serving some tasty specialities from the regional cuisine, or choose from amongst the wide range of leisure facilities, including horse riding and boating on the lake formed by the estate’s dam.