One of Portugal’s most iconic golfing venues, dubbed the 'Wentworth of Lisbon' is being restored to its former glory thanks to an investment of up to €200,000 from ORIZONTE management group.
ORIZONTE - Lisbon Golf, took over management last summer of the 36-hole complex at Aroeira – located just outside of Portugal’s capital city and venue for the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997.
Dubbed the ‘Wentworth of Lisbon’ by the UK press in the 1970s and 80s, the Aroeira environment is to Lisbon what The Hamptons are to New York, with the city’s cognoscenti and fashionistas owning impressive property within its gated community and vast stretches of golden beaches close by.
At its heart are two well-designed courses created by Frank Pennick and Donald Steel that meander through impressive stands of tall pine trees, reminiscent of some of Surrey and Berkshire’s finest old clubs. As well as hosting two Portuguese Opens, the courses have, between them, staged many other high-profile tournaments including several Ladies’ European Tour events and, in 2013, the prestigious European Men’s Club Trophy.
Under the expert guidance of head greenkeeper Dirk Hoeven, the ORIZONTE management team has initiated a series of measures designed to improve the playing facilities at Aroeira and enhance the visitor golfer experience in 2014 and beyond.
Measures include increased intensity of works on all greens, specifically aerification, verticut, topdressing and increased vigilance in terms of disease management and an improved range of mowers. All tee-boxes have been hollow-cored and re-seeded and warm season grasses applied to fairways for more consistent growth.
While both courses are easily walked, cart paths are being renovated and the irrigation and pumping systems have also been reconditioned.
A spokesperson for ORIZONTE, said: “Aroeira has a rich golfing heritage and both its layouts have every attribute needed for a top quality course.
“It has hosted many prestigious tournaments in the past and, with the maintenance programme that we’ve introduced, we are confident that it will be a favourite destination for both locals and visiting golfers in the months and years to come.”
With the Aroeira courses part of ORIZONTE’s maintenance programme across its seven golf courses, they are already benefitting from expertise in a number of areas including greenkeeping, equipment, irrigation and technical support.
Two central workshops have been implemented at Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club and Santo Estevão, helping to improve the equipment available at all the courses. By investing in transportation, the ORIZONTE group has also achieved increased productivity and quality in maintenance through the exchange of machinery between the courses.
Launched this spring, ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf and offers the chance to play some of the leading courses in close proximity to Portugal’s capital together with exceptional value for money on a wide range of accommodation options across the region.
Quinta do Peru has hosted several European Challenge Tour events while Aroeira features two championship layouts including Aroeira I, venue for the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997.
Ribagolfe, a host of the European Tour Qualifying School since 2009, provides two more challenging courses, both set within ancient cork oak forest, while golfers can also enjoy the 7,000-plus yards challenge at Santo Estevão and the 9-hole course in Oeiras, just 15 minutes from Lisbon’s centre.
