Few might agree, especially in this world of constantly evolving technology where, at the push of a button or the command of a voice, you can have pretty much anything delivered and be delivered pretty much anywhere.
But if, like me, you sometimes get the urge to step away from our modern world and enjoy a few days of peacefulness, then mountain biking across the Algarve hits the spot.
Golf Santo António, at Parque da Floresta, held their Easter Festival between 19th and 22nd April, consisting of a combination of events, Texas Scramble, Pairs Better Ball “The Stock Pot”, Dubai Satbleford and Am Am competitions.
The final day included a prize giving dinner party, which filled the Clubhouse Spike Restaurant with almost 130 attendees and prizes were awarded to the winners. After the dinner Golf Santo António provided live entertainment and those in attendance danced the night away to the magnificent sound of João Faísca.
Lucelia Gloria, aged 30, a rider from Riding For The Disabled Barlavento (RDB) has won two silver medals at the The Special Olympic World Games In Abu Dhabi. Lucelia won her two medals in the Level CS – English working trails and the Level CS – English equitation.
Over 7,000 competitors from over 190 nations took part in the games which lasted for two whole weeks. It was the very first time that Lucelia had been out of Portugal.
One of the most technically challenging race circuits in the world - the Autódromo do Algarve - has agreed a three year extension to retain Davanti Tyres as its official tyre partner.
The decision by a circuit which plays host to the European LeMans Series, 24H Endurance Series, the FIM World Superbike Championship and the Algarve Classic festival, is a massive coup for the UK tyre manufacturer, which only launched its first tyre to the market in 2015.
The World Golf Awards have been held since 2014 and “celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations.” Votes are cast by professionals working within the golf industry and by the public.
Other nominations for this years World’s Best Golf Destination were Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Dominican Republic, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and Vietnam. The other Best European Golf Destination nominees were France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Turkey and Wales. Portugal beat them all at the 3 day awards ceremony held at La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain.
Golf Santo António, at Parque da Floresta, held their annual Autumn Festival on the last week of September. The festival, which ran over six days, comprised of a combination of events, Singles, Scramble, Pairs, Dubai and Am Am competitions. This year’s Festival was a resounding success and attracted well over 670 entries.
The countdown has started to the 12th Edition of The Portugal Masters, which will take place from 20th to 23rd September 2018 at The Dom Pedro Victoria Course in Vilamoura, and Golf for Greys are now recruiting volunteers to make the event its usual success.
Golf for Greys began recruiting volunteers for European Tour events in 2005, when Eddie Pilkington and the late John Hawker, founders of Golf for Greys, contacted their members to help. This event was the WGC World Cup which took place at the newly opened Vilamoura Victoria course with Wales winning a rain affected event.
The 2nd Pepe Gancedo Trophy was played at Santo Antonio golf course on 12th August.
Pepe Gancedo (1938-2016) was the course architect for the Parque da Floresta golf course which opened in 1987. One of Spain´s most famous golf course architects, his design philosophy was to make courses enjoyable, traditional, challenging and memorable, with minimal alteration to the existing terrain. To commemorate his work, the competition was played for the first time on the 30th anniversary of the course opening and the intention is that this will become a popular annual event for golfers in the Algarve.
