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As boutique providers of upscale golf travel to exceptional destinations worldwide, we take the
opportunity from time to time to share our findings regarding some of the great new courses in our
footprint, which covers the U.S. West Coast including the Pacific Northwest, Europe and
Argentina, among other dynamic destinations. One needs to be prudent when booking golf
vacations outside the U.S. As you might also find with hotel properties, you simply can't believe
everything you read in a guide book or on the Internet. Have you ever been to a hotel or resort that
hasn't met your expectations or is living on past glories? Probably so! That's why we personally
play and inspect the courses we recommend to our upscale clientele.
In the past year, we have either played or inspected more than 40 golf courses in Spain and
Portugal. While Spain golf and Portugal golf experiences are tops in the continent, what we found
was surprising. Specifically, we uncovered some very strong new courses we had never heard of
both in golf-rich regions as well as provinces not known for golf. Additionally, we found some
much-heralded courses that no longer make the grade, in our professional opinion. With careful
planning and expert counsel, your Spain golf vacation or Portugal golf vacation can be the stuff of
lifelong memories.
So here are the unvarnished reviews of what we consider to be the top Destination Golf Courses
in Spain and Portgual. Our criteria are based on a U.S. perspective from the point of view of a golf
professional or scratch amateur (yes, I am a former PGA professional), which means we match
our courses with the wishes and abilities of our guests as we place the highest value on the
following course attributes:
oDesign
oConditioning
oService
oValue
Spain Golf - Destination Golf Courses:
When Americans and Brits think of Spain golf, they naturally think of the Costa del Sol, which
straddles the Mediterranean coast from Malaga to near Gibraltar. Yes, some of the best golf
courses lie in this year-round resort area, but golf in Spain is about much more than the Costa del
Sol. One can experience championship golf in the Barcelona area, in Seville, and we even found
very strong courses in the Basque region (most notable are Izki Golf, a Ballesteros design, and
Jose Maria Olazabal's Golf Artxanda). Here's our take on the best of the best of Spain golf:
Barcelona Golf

2. oRCG El Prat is the private, but accessible, Greg Norman-designed complex of 45 holes set in the
upscale western suburbs of Barcelona. As all of the nines were designed and constructed
simultaneously by the same architect, players can forge ten distinct 18-hole combinations that fit
together seamlessly. As expected from Norman, most fairways are reasonably wide, but trouble
lurks beyond their borders and approach shots challenge your iron skills. You will feel like a
member for a day when you experience Real Club de Golf El Prat. This is a lovely setting and very
relaxing getaway from the energy of Barcelona.
oPGA Golf de Catalunya is one of several properties owned and operated by the PGA European
Tour, and is the only one in Spain. It's easy to fall in the love with this place that is located in the
Costa Brava ("Wild Coast"), just 75 minutes from Barcelona. There are two courses on the site,
Green and Red, with the Green being the longer and stronger test of the duo. The Green is a big,
tournament-ready course nestled in the forest just a bit inland from the Costa Brava shore. Mature
"umbrella" pines and cork oaks line the well-manicured fairways, and the smooth but undulating
greens will test one's short game. The Verde is simultaneously challenging and fun. There are
quite a few elevation changes on these tracks and the scenery is outstanding. There's just
something about those symmetrical umbrella pines that spells relaxation.
Costa del Sol Golf
oValderrama arguably is the finest course in Continental Europe. The course is located in the
upscale Sotogrande development that includes some of the finest golf courses in Spain.
Sotogrande is located approximately 45 minutes from Marbella, the gem of the Costa del Sol.
Valderrama is literally a legend in mainland Europe, having hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup, the World
Golf Championship and countless Volvo Masters tournaments. That tournament elevated the
stature of Spain golf to completely new heights. This Robert Trent Jones, Sr. gem is a must-play
for the serious golf enthusiast touring the Costa del Sol. One can easily be distracted by the
spectacular scenery and mesmerizing cork oaks that line the fairways, but this course demands
your undivided attention. You can measure yourself against the best players in the world as you
tackle the infamous 17th. The service is outstanding, the design is challenging and the
conditioning is nothing short of world class. This is European golf at its very best and a must play
for any Spain golf vacation! Maximum handicap: 24 Men; 36 Women.
oSotogrande is the granddaddy of Costa del Sol golf and perhaps of Spain golf. Sotogrande is
Valderrama's older and less-menacing sibling, located at a lower elevation than most of the others
courses on the Sotogrande property. Approximately ten years the senior, she provides wider
landing areas and less intimidating greens complexes. Nevertheless, the ever-present breeze is
enough to heighten the challenge on this nearly-seaside track. Although Valderrama tends to
overshadow it as the best of Spain golf, Sotogrande remains one of the top five venues in
mainland Europe.
oLa Reserva is an impeccably-maintained and relatively new private club on the Sotogrande
property. This Cabell Robinson design stretches to more than 7,300 yards from the back tees.
Fortunately, there are four additional sets of tees from which to choose, so choose appropriately!
La Reserva's length is somewhat mitigated by meticulous grooming and generous fairways and
greens, so relax and enjoy the wonderful Costa del Sol setting. Few courses offer such incredible
curb appeal. The course straddles the rolling hills of the Western Costa del Sol, making this one of
the most beautiful golf courses in Spain. The course view from the drive to the club house alone is

3. worth the trip.
oSantana Golf is not a course you read so much about as it is new, but rest assured that it is one
of the most talked-about new golf courses in Spain. Set in the hills above the coast in a beautiful,
former avocado orchard, Santana is the young upstart of the Costa del Sol golf scene. This track
blends a beautiful setting, quality design, attentive service and splendid conditioning to create a
grand Spain golf experience. Santana Golf is easily walkable, employs water hazards and bunkers
prudently and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean. The
par-72, 7,000-yard Cabell Robinson design offers four sets of tees so that you can bite off as
much or as little as you desire of this wonderfully-diverse layout. If you are in the Costa del Sol,
experience Santana while it is young and relatively undiscovered.
oFinca Cortesin is another newcomer to the Costa del Sol. The course is located near the
mountaintop "white village" of Casares, which looms like a beacon amidst the majestic Sierra
Bermeja mountain range. This new Spain golf course opened in early 2007 and is quickly making
a name for itself as one of the best golf courses in all of Spain. The Cabell Robinson design offers
a challenging variety of holes, as evidenced by the scenic par-4 13th that confronts the player with
two water hazards, yet sooths with eye-pleasing green complexes. As bonuses, the routing
remains unspoiled by development, the modern practice facility is quite extensive and the
customer service is absolutely among the best we have encountered in all of Spain. We suggest
that you play this one before the word gets out about one of the best new Spain golf courses!
Portugal Golf - Destination Golf Courses:
As is the case with Spain golf, Portugal golf is much more than a slew of courses situated in one
location, which, in this case, is the Algarve. Sure the Algarve has long been known for great golf
and great beaches! Quieter and less overbuilt than the Costa del Sol, the Algarve is experiencing
a bit of a golf course building boom. There are no fewer than 10 Algarve golf courses either under
construction or on the books. But there also are some very strong golf courses on or near the
coast in Lisbon. Here's our take on the best available Portugal golf experiences:
Algarve Golf
oVilamoura-Old Course is the elder-statesman of golf in the Algarve. Owned by the Oceanico
consortium, this landmark course was constructed in 1969 by Frank Pennink and has been
consistently refurbished over the years; however, it has not lost its original and classic parkland
charm. The many umbrella pine trees that border the fairway corridors are definitely in play, the
rolling landscape challenges your club selection and the undulating greens test your short game,
but all the difficulties are mitigated by meticulous grooming. Add to all that the soothing views of
the surrounding hills down to the coast. We love this property.
oMonte Rei is a course that you definitely will hear quite a bit about if it hasn't already come to
your attention. This delightful new Jack Nicklaus design, located in a pristine natural setting in the
eastern Algarve not far from the border with Spain, is winning the hearts of all those who play it.
The first of two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, Monte Rei North, opened in 2007 to rave
reviews. The second is in the advanced stages of construction. Nicklaus has utilized the natural
landscapes to sculpt a unique layout of approximately 7,200 yards, with eight par 4s, five par 3s
and five par 5s - of these eighteen holes, water comes into play on eleven. Monte Rei is a must-

4. play on the Portugal golf scene, especially while it remains somewhat undiscovered. That won't
last long!
oSan Lorenzo Golf Club is located in the central Algarve, which is the most developed part of the
region. This Joe Lee design undoubtedly is one of the best Portugal golf courses, as it combines a
fabulously diverse layout with a gorgeous setting. You will likely use every club in your bag as you
traverse this track of slightly less than 7,000 yards, and you will believe that the scenery cannot
get any better until you reach the 17th and 18th holes, which are set in the serenity of a bird
reserve. On the downside, San Lorenzo gets quite a bit of play, but once you experience it, you
will understand why.
Lisbon Area Golf
oPraia d'El Rey is links golf at its best and ranks near the very top of the Portugal golf list of best
courses. In 2003, Golf World ranked it the 13th best course in Continental Europe, and we do not
argue the point. Cabell Robinson has done another masterful job creating a Portugal golf course
that exemplifies tasteful diversity. Ten holes meander along the coast in a links fashion, as the
other eight twist their way through a thinly-forested section. To top it off, all the holes offer strategic
bunkering and quick greens with plenty of movement in them to keep your attention. There has
been some recent real estate development on the perimeter, but so far, not so much as to destroy
the ambiance. Praia d'El Rey is Portugal golf at its best!
oOitavos Dunes is a newcomer to Portugal golf, having opened in 2001. This Arthur Hills design is
one of the most intriguing that you will find anywhere and it reminds us quite a bit of Bandon
Dunes in Oregon. The design itself is excellent, as the par-71 layout can stretch to more than
7,000 yards and the fast, undulating greens challenge even those with the finest short games. Add
all of this to spectacular ocean vistas on one flank and mountain views on the other, and you get
one very special property. You might not want to worry about your score here, at least not after
your first round, for the course's challenges and the distracting scenery can create some high
numbers. Oitavos Dunes is a great addition to the Portugal golf scene and is worth every
additional stroke!
So that's our take on the best of the best of Spain golf and Portugal golf. The Ryder Cup at
Valderrama in part contributed to a golf course construction boom on the Iberian Peninsula.
Thankfully, we'll be back there soon to check out new courses such as the second course at
Monte Rei and Nick Faldo's Oceanico course, also in the Algarve.
Gene Holland is a principal of CORK & TEE http://www.corkandtee.com a boutique travel
company that specializes in customized Epicurean Golf Travel, blending championship golf with
insider wine and interactive culinary experiences. He has more than 15 years of experience in the
golf industry. He spent 11 years as a club professional and also was a member of the varsity golf
team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played with notables such as
Davis Love, III and Jack Nicklaus, II.

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