PORTUGAL: TO THE WEST OF THE NEW

Portugal has been the home of golf for decades. The British imported the game at the beginning of the last century, as they did in many continental European countries.

The development of golf tourism, propelled by the influence of the English, has resulted in the Algarve becoming a "little European Florida". Nevertheless, the Lisbon region, made up of the Costa Azul to the south, the Costa de Estoril to the north-west and the Costa de Prata to the north of the Portuguese capital, offers a very interesting cocktail of golf, tourism and gastronomy. The almost Mediterranean climate, the quality of the facilities and the diversity of the courses make Lisbon and the surrounding region an ideal year-round destination.

It's the Oeste region, and its main town Obidos, to the north of the Lusitanian capital, that we invite you to discover here.

**Obidos

Surrounded by tawny ramparts, bathed in bucolic languor, this citadel, 80 km northwest of Lisbon, seems to live outside time. Wander through its winding streets paved with round pebbles and lined with houses with bougainvillea-draped windows, and enter its azulejo-clad churches, such as Santa Maria, where King Alfonso V married his cousin Isabella, aged just 8, in 1444.

You'll inevitably reach the Moorish citadel, transformed by Manuel I into an elegant palace. In the inner courtyard, the white of the austere façade contrasts with the patinated stone of the Manueline windows. This seigniorial residence welcomes only a few privileged visitors: it's the smallest of the pousadas, and its 6 rooms are taken by storm all year round...

And if you're not prone to vertigo, take a walk along the chemin de ronde at sunset. You'll see just how little the surrounding countryside bears traces of modernity. And the gradual silting-up of the Arelho River has pushed the town more than 10 km away from the coast, so that it's hard to imagine today that Obidos watched over maritime traffic in the 12th century.

**Praia del Rey

Nature is the main architect of a links course. A links course can be recognized by the fact that it seems to have been there since time immemorial. Was it the hand of God or that of Cabell Robinson, former assistant to Robert Trent Jones, who designed Praia del Rey?

Although there is a fair amount of real-estate pressure, with many superb houses lining part of the course, the latter, which opened in 1997, undoubtedly deserves its place among the best courses in Continental Europe, thanks to its American-inspired design on some holes, for another section in the pines, notably at the end of the fairway, but above all for its section along the Atlantic Ocean (holes 12, 13, 14 and 15) where you find yourself on an authentic links course, like Lahinch or Tralee in Ireland, with magnificent dunes and superb sea views.
But beware of the wind when it's blowing...for example on 14, a 137-meter par 3 where you can play 8-iron or 4-iron depending on the whims of the wind.

And last but not least, 177 rooms are available at theHôtel Marriott ***** facing the ocean and close to holes 10, 11 and 12. In addition to golf, the hotel offers thalassotherapy, a fitness room...

[Praia D'El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort
Avenida Don Pedro Primeiro - Vale de Janelas
Obidos, 2510-451 Portugal
Telephone: 351 262 905100
Green Fees between €80 and €125
Phone: 351 262 905 005
Golf.reservations@praia-del-rey.com)]

**
Campo Real

Sixty kilometers north of Lisbon, along the freeway linking the Lusitanian capital to Obidos, British architect Donald Steel - who designed the Château des Vigiers golf course, well known to golfers in Aquitaine - has laid out a physically and technically demanding course on the hillside.

Players capable of meeting this challenge will have an excellent day on this typically American course. You'll find two very distinct sections: the first nine holes are designed on a hillside with a few water hazards in play that blend in perfectly with the lush vegetation, while the last nine are more classic.

For further information, please contact Rua do Campo, Turcifal, Lisbon Area.
Tel: 351 261 960 900

Jean-Luc DUCLOS