The 2020 Portugal Masters, previously scheduled for October, will ultimately take place from September 10 to 13, at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura. Following new health policies and strategy, the most notable Portuguese golf tournament will be part of the altered calendar for the Race to Dubai (Europan Tour), following a series of six events in the United Kingdom.
The return of the European Tour, after the suspension decreed on March 8, due to the pandemic will be carried out with two consecutive events in Austria - the Austrian Open and the Euram Bank Open -, and will continue with six UK Swing tournaments (in England and Wales), before returning to Continental Europe. The Portugal Masters will follow the European Tour safety program, referred to as the Health Strategy, developed by the director of the medical department (Chief Medical Officer), Andrew Murray, resulting from exhaustive work with health consultants, and with the collaboration of the health authorities of the 30 countries where the European Tour passes through.
The 14th edition of the Portuguese tournament is also part of the new Golf for Good initiative, which aims to support communities of the host countries of the European Tour, honouring local heroes, such as those who work on the front line, and also striving to promote the benefits of golf.
Peter Adams, the Portugal Masters Championship director thanks “the Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, and Turismo de Portugal for their support, which allowed the Portugal Masters to be recalendarized for September”.
Luís Araújo, the president of Turismo de Portugal, points out that “Portugal has been asserting itself as an unavoidable golf destination, which is mainly due to the quality and diversity of courses offered throughout the country”.
“International recognition is achieved through the numerous awards and distinctions that we have been winning, the confidence that the country places on the European Tour taking on special relevance. In the last 13 years Portugal has been the host of one of its most important tournaments, the Portugal Masters”.
“Hosting this renowned competition, of worldwide projection, confirms, not only that Portugal has excellent conditions for the practice of golf, but also the capacity and professionalism in the organization of events in the sport”, he added.
“In this particular year, the 14th edition of the Portugal Masters attests to the commitment and commitment of all partners: Turismo de Portugal, regional entities and companies, in the consolidation of a quality product, aligned with a new reality”.
“The permanence in Portugal of such a competition is also a message of hope to golfers from all over the world who visit us, and to national companies that, in good time, knew how to respond to the demands and expectations of a Clean & Safe destination”, concludes Luís Araújo.
Vilamoura is one of the centres of world golf, with five elite courses and since the first edition of the Portugal Masters has been a prestigious course, designed by Arnold Palmer.
“The Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course team has been an excellent host for the past 13 years and we are looking forward to working with that team in the next edition of the tournament”, stresses Peter Adams.
“My thanks also go to the Portuguese Golf Federation (FPG) and to the country's health authorities for all their support. The safety of our members, our teams and everyone involved in the event remains our priority and the tournament will be overseen by the European Tour Health Strategy”, concludes the Championships’ director of the European professional circuit.
