The newly unveiled West Cliffs Golf Links has been hailed as one of the new stars of European golf, and been tipped to become the number one golf course in Portugal.
West Cliffs Golf Links has been hailed as one of the new stars of European golf, and been tipped to become the number one golf course in Portugal, after being unveiled to widespread approval this month.
Located less than an hour north of Lisbon on the magnificent Silver Coast, West Cliffs has been designed by Cynthia Dye ASGCA, from the world-renowned golf architecture company Dye Designs Group, and is the continent’s most talked-about new golf course design project.
The first Dye golf course in Portugal – and only the fourth in Europe – the spectacular par-72 clifftop links has been created over 200 hectares of natural landscape, rolling sand dunes and coastal vegetation, and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean from each hole.
Dye flew in from her home in Colorado, USA, to officially open the layout to a select audience of key European tour operators, media and local dignitaries, and they delivered a unanimous verdict after accepting the exclusive invitation to be one of the first people to play the course.
Adam Lawrence, editor of Golf Course Architecture magazine and principal of Oxford Golf Consulting, said:
“West Cliffs occupies possibly the best piece of golfing ground I have seen in mainland Europe. The design is very strong and sits lightly on the natural terrain. All in all I think the course is a strong contender for the title of best in Portugal.”
Construction work on West Cliffs began in February last year, with Dye and her team working in close collaboration with the local government to ensure minimum disruption to the environment, and to create a harmonious and sustainable links in an enviable location.
Fitting seamlessly into its natural surroundings, West Cliffs measures a testing 7,003 yards in length but, thanks its modern design and a choice of several sets of tees, it guarantees accessibility to golfers of all abilities.
Dye said: “This has been an incredible project to be involved in, right from the moment when I first visited the site and saw what was possible 14 years ago.''
“With its amazing location and terrain, West Cliffs is the most fantastic natural golf course site imaginable. The course was really already there for us, and it was our job to shape the holes to create an incredible dramatic experience for everyone that plays it.''
Complementing the West Cliffs course is the golf academy that provides the ideal atmosphere for players to warm-up, learn and improve, while a stylish and eco-friendly clubhouse offers guests exclusive panoramic views of the course and the Atlantic Ocean beyond from three sides of the glass-fronted building.
For further details about West Cliffs Golf Links, go to www.westcliffs.com
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