Aroeira golf resort, managed by ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf, has stepped in to save the European Men’s Club Trophy after original arrangements to host the event in Greece fell through and now takes place at the Lisbon resort from October 20-22.
It is the second occasion this year that the Portuguese Golf Federation (PGF) has hosted an event at the last minute with the European Golf Association’s (EGA) Michael Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy competition being switched to Portugal from Turkey last March. Miguel Franco de Sousa, general secretary of the FPG, explained: “These situations arise as a result of the very close relationship that FPG has with all the bodies governing international golf.” Having been contacted only in September, the FPG’s first decision was to locate a suitable venue which could cope with such an event at short notice and quickly decided on Aroeira.”
A delighted FPG director/national coach, John Coutinho paid tribute to Aroeira: “It was of huge benefit that Aroeira is well aware of what is required and people who competed in 2013 event there spoke very highly of the venue and its organisation.”
In all, 22 countries will send three-man teams to the strokeplay competition, with 18 holes each day and with the two best rounds from each team counting over a 54-hole event. Clubs from the UK and Ireland will compete with teams from the Netherlands; Iceland; Slovakia; Germany; France; Spain; Croatia; Estonia; Italy; Portugal; Denmark; Czech Republic; Luxemburg; Russian Federation; Switzerland; Austria; Finland; and the Ukraine.
Portugal’s has a sparkling reputation for hosting top golf competitions and this trend is set to continue with all regions of the country including the Algarve regularly hosting fist class international events.
