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Spain and Portugal: Heart and soul of European golf

With the benefits of golf's dramatic growth in popularity; a climate ideally suited to making the game a year round activity and the availability of real estate, virtually made for golf courses, circumstances couldn't have been better. Leading golf architects have been drawn to this Iberian Peninsula ever since, each determined to leave their own mark on what was always destined to be a premiere golf destinations.

Forty years on, the promise of the early 60's has become a reality and The Iberian Peninsula has established itself as Europe's golf Mecca. Spain and Portugal now share a grand total of almost 400 courses, all of an amazingly high standard and with a distinct style that can only be termed as Iberian. This is simply the best collection of contemporary courses in existence.

The selection of which courses to play on a first-time visit to either Spain, Portugal or perhaps both countries, is bewildering, with so many literally calling out for attention. Listen to the suggestions and advice of a golf travel company such as Golf International, passionately involved with golf on the Iberian Peninsula and importantly, listen to that advice -- they know both countries and their golf, intimately.

Just as a taster of the golf banquet that lies in store, here are a few of my own favorites, but bear in mind, this is only a sampler and there are many more that would have been included had space permitted

The Lisbon Coast offers 23 excellent layouts, all but one within a half hour's drive of Portugal's utterly charming capital city. Take the extra 15 minute drive to discover the outstanding links course at Praia d'El Rey and you will be well rewarded with a spunky test of golf that stands up well to the very best either Scotland or Ireland can provide, only the weather will be far more agreeable.

Spectacularly located along a couple of miles of practically deserted, pristine white sand beaches, where the Atlantic winds can play havoc with your scorecard, this is a test for even the most accomplished player. Considerately, Praia d'El Rey offers a selection of tee positions, bringing this toughy down to more human dimensions, providing a very enjoyable round for even those of lesser golf skills. Plan on a full day excursion here from your Lisbon hotel and you will have time enough to explore the nearby, medieval town of Obidos, one of the best preserved in the country.

Only 30 minutes from Lisbon, near the delightful beach community of Cascais is Oitavos Dunes, a cliff-top gem wedged in between the Atlantic and the Sintra Mountains. Designed by American, Arthur Hills, Oitavos is another eye-dazzler with distinct links characteristics and a serious examination of golf abilities. Within 3 years of it's 2002 opening it was the selected venue for The European Tour's, prestigious, Portugal Open, an honor it was called upon to repeat in 2007, 2008 and will host for an unprecedented fourth occasion in 2009. Better credentials would be difficult to find for any layout and Oitavos Dunes should be on the must play list of every golfer.

Also to be included on any best of Lisbon list, Penha Longa's Atlantic Course, a demanding design by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Troia Golf, to the south of the city, is nothing less. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. many still consider the links at Troia to be the top course in all of Portugal. Such is the amazing quality of courses in the area.

The direct route to Portugal's Algarve Coast and another great golf center, will take little more than a two hour drive, but make a small detour, stopping en route at Evora, the ancient, walled capital of the Alentejo region, will be well worthwhile. The entire town has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO and a more absorbing break from golf just doesn't exist. Count on at least a 4 hour stopover to get a small taste of this perfectly preserved, medieval town, but if you can stay overnight, so much the better.

Once in The Algarve, there are 30 golf courses to choose between, all laid out along one of Europe's most enticingly beautiful coastlines. Pick any of them and you can't go far wrong, but for the very best, Vilamoura's Victoria Course, The European Tour's selected venue for The Portugal Masters, must be included. But don't overlook Vilamoura's fabled Old Course. Designed by the renowned British architect, Frank Pennink and reminiscent of the great English parkland courses, there is a certain dignity and tradition here that never fails to capture the heart of any visitor.

San Lorenzo is another remarkable seaside layout, ranked among Europe's Top 20 that musn't be missed. But neither should the two championship layouts at Quinta do Lago nor the very handsome, Vale do Lobo's Royal Course - laid out along the cliff-top with some remarkable holes, one of which requires a heart-stopping carry across two ravines. This is a show-stopper you will remember for years to come.

If the choices to be made among Portugal's courses are difficult, don't expect the selection process to get any easier in Spain, where the colorful region of Andalucia reigns as the country's golf capital. Boasting an inventory of well over 70 excellent golf courses, there's a host of fascinating distractions away from the courses that demand some attention. The historic cities of Seville, Granada and Cordoba; the sherry capital of Jerez de la Frontera and the intriguing ancient Pueblos Blancos, will all try to tempt you away from golf, so deciding how many courses to play will not be simple.

Indisputably, one course stands out as not only the very best in Andalucia and Spain, but also the top ranked layout in all of Europe. World famous Valderrama Golf Club has held this lofty position for well over a dozen years. First brought to the attention of many American golfers when it hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup Matches, Valderrama is the jewel in Spain's, and indeed Europe's, golfing crown and a unique course that only gets better as the years pass. Granted it is difficult to secure one of the extremely scarce visitor times and they are expensive, but the experience of playing this superb, one of a kind beauty, is well worth it and something every serious golfer yearns for.

But the gap between Valderrama and those in pursuit of its enviable title has been gradually narrowing as others, including some newcomers to the battle, have made the extra effort to reach Valderrama's awesomely high standard. One of the most impressive and a new entry into the contest is a two-year old baby, Finca Cortesin, a truly remarkable layout from the masterly veteran of Spanish course design, Cabell Robinson.

A monster course, measuring almost 7,500 yards from the tips and filled with wide-open spaces, risk/reward opportunities, and a hundred punishing bunkers, this is one for the courageous. But what a rare treat Cortesin proves to be and for the big hitters, a thriller of the first order. Those lacking in the brute force department need have no fears as the designer, showing uncommon consideration of all levels of play, has provided six different tee positions, bringing the course within the abilities of most. Recently announced as venue for the 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship, Finca Cortesin is well on the way to a level of stardom likely to prove some competition for even Valderrama.

There's another brilliant layout at La Reserva from the same Cabell Robinson, an American born resident of Andalucia for the past 30 years and acknowledged as the maestro of Iberian course design. La Reserva is another demanding track, with a certain determination to separate the men from the boys. Rise to the challenge and a memorable round is all but guaranteed.

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, more commonly referred to as Sotogrande Old, is the older brother of Sotogrande New, which after a change of ownership and some serious re-modeling, became Valderrama. Designed by the same Robert Trent Jones and containing similarities to its younger sibling, Sotogrande is still considered as an outstanding example of Trent Jones' architectural prowess. One of Spain's most exclusive golf clubs, a limited number of visitors are accepted, making this another must play, if you can secure a time.

And still the list of Andalucia's best is unfinished -- San Roque's New Course, Santana Golf, the three championship tracks at La Cala, Montecastillo and Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, all deserve to be included, and the list would remain incomplete.

The wealth of excellent golf that abounds in Spain and Portugal is astounding and something that must literally be seen and played to be believed. But remember, golf is only the beginning of all The Iberian Peninsula has to offer. With a rich history reaching back to the beginnings of time and the fascinating depth of the cultures developed over centuries and so evident everywhere, there is much to experience away from the golf courses. Take full advantage of the golf but use the opportunity to enjoy as much of everything else as you are able -- there are wonderful treats in store.

For more ideas and suggestions on how to include the best of Spain, Portugal or a combination of the two, into your trip to The Iberian Peninsula, click here.

©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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