Vale de Janelas Crowned Senior National Club Champion in Nail-Biting Finish

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Vale de Janelas secured a thrilling victory at the 2025 Senior National Club Championship this past weekend in Montebelo, Viseu, cementing its dominance in Portuguese senior golf. The club edged out fierce rivals Quinta do Peru by just one stroke, reclaiming the national title it also won in 2022 and 2023.

The event culminated in a dramatic turnaround. After trailing by six strokes at the close of Saturday’s individual round, Vale de Janelas mounted a comeback during Sunday’s “Foursomes” format. Each club fielded two pairs, with both scores contributing to the final tally.
Gonçalo Mota Carmo and Ken Cooper carded a solid 79, while John Williams and Martin Playell posted 85. The 164 strokes added to the team’s Saturday score of 248, for a total of 412 (+52). Quinta do Peru, who led after the opening round, registered 171 on Sunday, finishing at 413 (+53) – just a single stroke shy of glory.

Steady Hands Under Pressure

Vale de Janelas’ victory was not just about skill; it was about nerve. In a format that demands trust and chemistry between teammates, their consistent play proved decisive. The narrow win highlights the razor-thin margins that define elite amateur competition.

CityGolf secured third place with a score of 420 (+60), followed closely by Vale Pisão and Ilha Terceira. Belas Clube de Campo, last year’s champion, fell to seventh.

A Testament to Portugal’s Thriving Golf Scene

The tight finish reflects the competitive spirit alive in Portugal’s senior golf landscape. With passionate players, iconic venues like Montebelo, and increasing participation across age groups, Portugal continues to grow as a respected golf destination at all levels.

Planning a golf break around Portugal’s finest fairways? Explore our curated Porto Golf Holidays to experience the country’s championship spirit firsthand. And for a seamless journey from course to coast, don’t miss our trusted Car Hire and Transfers options.

INFINITUM Golf Spain – A Quiet Rise

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INFINITUM Golf Spain may not be a household name just yet, but it’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about golf destinations in Europe, and for good reason. Tucked away in Tarragona, just an hour south of Barcelona, this coastal resort recently claimed the title of “Europe’s Best Golf Venue” at the World Golf Awards. Not bad for a club you won’t find plastered across budget golf brochures.

Instead of relying on big-name hype, INFINITUM has quietly built a serious reputation, one based on substance, not spectacle. With 45 holes spread across three distinct courses, a pristine Mediterranean setting, and one of the most advanced sustainability programmes in the game, it’s drawing in golfers who know exactly what they’re looking for.

No gimmicks. No noise. Just proper golf, played in style.

Three Courses, One Philosophy: Elevated Golf

Let’s get this out of the way, INFINITUM isn’t massive in scale, but what it offers is quality, through and through. The flagship Lakes Course, designed by Greg Norman, is a strategic challenge winding through wetlands and water hazards. It’s been a regular venue for DP World Tour events, and it shows in the conditioning and flow.

Then there’s the Hills Course, which trades water for elevation and tree-lined serenity. It’s the thinking man’s course, scenic, unforgiving, and built for shot-shapers. The Ruins Course, a shorter, 9-hole track laid over Roman archaeological remains, offers a quirky but beautifully integrated warm-up or cool-down option.

All three deliver their own rhythm, and when played together, give INFINITUM a rare sense of variety that even the big names on the Costa del Sol struggle to match.

Spain’s Most Sustainable Golf Resort? Quite Possibly.

Where many clubs are still fumbling through “going green,” INFINITUM has built sustainability into its DNA. The resort is GEO Certified, powered in part by solar, and uses reclaimed water to keep the courses lush without waste. The maintenance practices are forward-thinking, with organic treatments and a genuine respect for the surrounding nature reserves.

It’s not marketing fluff, it’s functional, responsible, and frankly the direction golf needs to go. And it doesn’t hurt that the result is a course that looks and plays like it belongs in a luxury brochure, minus the chemical sheen.

What’s It Like Off the Course? Smooth, Sophisticated, and Uncrowded

This isn’t a party resort or an all-inclusive madhouse. INFINITUM’s vibe leans toward the understated. The beach club is sleek and minimal, the on-site dining is focused on fresh Catalan ingredients, and the service? Quietly excellent.

Tarragona itself, a historic coastal city with Roman ruins and proper Spanish charm, offers a more grounded cultural experience than what you’ll find in Marbella or Benidorm. For golfers who enjoy pairing a round with a decent bottle of Priorat or a long seafood lunch, this part of Spain is gold.

A Smart Pick for Discerning Golf Travellers

What makes INFINITUM Golf Spain truly stand out isn’t just its awards or architecture, it’s how well it understands its audience. This is a destination for players who’ve outgrown the chaos of larger resorts and want something more focused. Better golf, better food, better surroundings.

If you’re planning your next Spanish golf holiday and want to try something that still feels like a discovery, this is it. INFINITUM has the pedigree, the playability, and the poise, and for now, still just enough anonymity to feel like you’re in on a secret.

CostaTerra Golf Portugal

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Tucked into the sun-soaked coastline just south of Comporta, CostaTerra Golf Portugal is quietly redefining what a luxury golf escape can look like. It’s the first European venture from Discovery Land Company, the ultra-exclusive club developer behind elite enclaves from the Bahamas to Big Sky, and it’s planted firmly on a stretch of Portuguese coast that’s as untouched as it is unforgettable. Here, sculpted fairways weave through rolling dunes and umbrella pines, while Atlantic vistas stretch uninterrupted toward the horizon. It’s Portugal, but not as you’ve ever played it.

For those who’ve sampled the Algarve’s finest and are seeking something rarer, CostaTerra offers a glimpse into golf’s next frontier. Equal parts sanctuary and statement, the club caters to a clientele accustomed to Gulfstreams, not green fees. And while tee times remain invitation-only for now, its influence is already rippling across the region. Developers are taking notice. So are discerning travellers. It’s already nudging the bar upward for premium golf experiences in Portugal.

A Tom Fazio First in Europe — and a Statement Piece

Course architecture buffs will know the name: Tom Fazio. Renowned for Augusta-like sculpting and subtle challenge, Fazio’s work rarely leaves the US, which makes CostaTerra’s course something of a collector’s item.

The routing winds through low-slung coastal woodland, with elevated greens, wide fairways, and panoramic sea views. It’s designed for walking, privacy, and pace, a welcome change from the busier Algarve layouts. While the course itself is members-only, it’s helping raise the bar for nearby public-access golf, too.

If you’re staying anywhere near the Setúbal or Alentejo coasts, you’re already within striking distance of Portugal’s most talked-about new fairways.

Not Just a Golf Course — A Luxury Coastal Enclave

CostaTerra isn’t merely a golf club; it’s a gated community tailored for ultra-high-net-worth families. Think: organic vineyards, equestrian trails, private beach access, and even an on-site exploration camp for kids. This is Discovery Land’s formula, lifestyle first, golf as the centrepiece, and it’s now officially on Portuguese soil.

The project is also a quiet win for sustainable luxury. Built with minimal disruption to the natural terrain, CostaTerra uses local materials, solar integration, and native flora to blend into its coastal surroundings. It’s part golf course, part rewilding effort.

The Surrounding Region: Raw, Relaxed, and Rising

Comporta and Melides, once sleepy coastal villages, are now the preferred hideaway for Lisbon’s creatives, international architects, and the occasional celebrity seeking respite from overbuilt destinations. The vibe is more barefoot-chic than blingy. Think sand-dusted roads, unpretentious beach shacks serving five-star food, and boutique hotels that look plucked from a Scandinavian design magazine.

For golfers, the area holds quiet promise. While CostaTerra remains exclusive, other nearby courses are starting to gain traction, and the infrastructure is improving. Good accommodation, car hire, and high-end dining are now all within reach, with just a short transfer from Lisbon airport.