A Fascination with Golf on Madeira Island

Oct. 5, 2010 - PRLog -- Located only 3 or 4 hours from most European capitals, Madeira island remains Europe’s most beautiful sub-tropical paradise which extends an invitation to visitors for just  a weekend or a deliciously longer stay.


The Madeira islands are also a very popular golfing destination. For many years the island of Madeira has been offering two wonderful Golf courses that have enthralled both golfers and their none playing partners alike.  Today Madeira islands boasts a third course on the island of Porto Santo and will in the future sport a further course on the western tip of Madeira island.

Join us for an in-depth look at two of Madeira island’s golf courses; Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra Golf.

Palheiro Golf – Madeira Island

Located in the rolling hills 10 km east of the capital in the splendid Palheiro Estate, Palheiro Golf is by any measure a stunning Golf course with magnificent views overlooking the city and picture perfect bay of Funchal.

Described as “one of the most beautiful places in the world to play golf”, the 18-hole par 72 (6086 metres) course was designed by the American architect Cabell Robinson and opened in March of 1993.
Palheiro Golf was then changed in 2003.  Two holes were replaced, and a 6 hole academy course was created.  The result is a truly stunning 18 hole challenge with breathtaking views, fast undulating greens, well placed bunkers and tight fairways that reward accurate play.  The course is really enjoyable, but it is advisable to hire a buggy.

Palheiro Golf winds around the Palheiro Estate which is famous for its pine forests, centennial trees, flowering shrubs and lush vegetation.

Palheiro Golf Clubhouse lies below the eighteenth green and has a unique open plan design, which is both spacious and welcoming and has one of the best views on the island of Madeira. It sits high above the bay of Funchal and has panoramic views over the mountains and Atlantic Ocean; views which can be enjoyed from the veranda whilst sipping a post round drink.

The clubhouse environment is one of relaxation and calm. During the winter months, sitting around the open fireplace gives a cosy feel, while during the summer many a suntan is developed on the veranda!

The stylish Palheiro Golf clubhouse is further complemented by the superb restaurant which is managed by the award winning Relais and Châteaux hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro.
The Pro Shop at Palheiro Golf is the hub of the Clubhouse as its well designed, modern and open-plan layout is also where golfers check-in to play their round.

There are professional and multi-lingual Reception staff on hand to greet you, immediately putting you at ease whether you have come to play or perhaps just browse through the golfing merchandise, before enjoying a coffee on the terrace or inside the charming Clubhouse.

Palheiro Golf made Golf World’s 2009 list of Europe’s top 100 golf courses.


Find Palheiro Golf on the web at: http://www.palheirogolf.com

Santo da Serra Golf – Madeira Island

Above the bay of Machico, where the first Portuguese sailors disembarked, lies the Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra.

Situated in a wonderfully natural setting, the location is unspoilt and free from buildings and homes. In 2001 Seve Ballesteros described the course as ”fantastic, the clubhouse very beautiful, the food even better and the caring phenomenal.”

The original course, constructed in 1937, was redesigned in 1991 by the famous golf architect Robert Trent Jones.  He created a spectacular and completely new 27 hole course integrated into one of the most beautiful locations ever created by nature.

Here, golf and nature live in perfect harmony with sport and the environment.  Be it competition or pleasure, the passions of those who play at Santo da Serra are always satisfied.

Santo da Serra Golf Club is the home of the Madeira Open, a fully sanctioned European Tour event. From its location high above the bay of Machico, you can enjoy magnificent views of the rocky Atlantic coastline, making Santo da Serra one of the most spectacular courses in Europe.

The most impressive facts:

Height: The Santo da Serra course descends 300 metres from top to bottom and allows amazing panoramic over Madeira Islands. You will have the opportunity to play on the top of deep ravines.

Misconceptions: It can be tricky judging the distance because of the altitude and variable wind.

Undulating: This is a very hilly golf course and to balance the difficulty most of the trees are quite a long way from the fairways and the few water hazards are not too close to play.

Holes 2, 3 and 4 of the Machico Course are unforgettably ingrained in the memories of those who have played there.

The Machico and Desertas Courses are those usually used for the Madeira Island Open whilst the Serras Course, mildly flat, maintains the same level of play.

With four optional tees at each hole, the player is offered various levels of play enabling straightforward, relaxing rounds as well as more challenging ones.

This is the reason Santo da Serra annually hosts the Madeira Open.

Golf stars, many of them Ryder’s Cup players, praise the excellent quality of fairways and greens. Semi-roughs and roughs provide evidence of the meticulous care given to the courses conditions.

This is a true botanical garden, ornamented with four beautiful lakes, full of trees that give shade from the brilliant Atlantic sunshine.

Santo da Serra is ranked as the 12th Best Golf Course among the 75 existing in Portugal.

Santo da Serra Golf Restaurant:

The Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra restaurant is situated in a privileged spot of the course, in one of the most beautiful landscapes that nature may offer.
It is located only five minutes away from the modern motorway that connects Funchal to the airport and Machico in just 15 minutes.
The restaurant has a simple, delicious à la carte menu. Here you can experience traditional Portuguese gastronomy in a superb dining room or on the terrace with its sensational sea and mountain views.


Find Santo da Serra Golf on the web at: http://www.santodaserragolf.com

# # #

'Navega Bem' is a highly reputable web design and development company based on Madeira island, Portugal. We specialize in the the design and development of quality CMS websites crafted around the award winning Joomla! framework.