Shaping the future of golf in Portugal, from national investment to inspiring the next generation of players
– October 3, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio
The number of golfers is rising worldwide and Portugal is no exception, with the average age of players steadily decreasing.
Golf is not only capturing the interest of younger generations but has also become more accessible, thanks to advantageous beginner programmes at several courses across the country.
“Clubs are beginning to open up more and communicate better”, notes Pedro Nunes Pedro, president of the Portuguese Golf Federation (FPG), highlighting the need to “debunk the idea that this is an elitist sport”.
Pedro Nunes Pedro, who was elected for the four-year term in 2024, believes that golf in Portugal is currently enjoying a positive and dynamic moment, thanks to increased investment as well as the development and refurbishment of golf courses and innovative projects.
However, “despite the progress, there’s still a lot to do, particularly to broaden our national player base”, he stresses. Nonetheless, he is optimistic: “Portuguese golf is on a very promising path of development.”
The FPG president also believes that golf is now seen worldwide as a “cool, healthy and highly competitive” sport, and, although there is still a need to increase the number of more affordable facilities, Portugal is keeping up with this trend, with new options in Jamor, Cantanhede and Paredes, as well as the recently signed agreement between the FPG and Oeiras Council for the management and refurbishment of a municipal course in the Green Valley Oeiras area.
Acknowledging the lack of active and coordinated collaboration among all stakeholders, Pedro Nunes Pedro highlights the FPG’s commitment alongside “the growing effort to make golf more accessible and inclusive, bringing it closer to young people, schools and new communities of players to ensure the sport’s renewal and sustainable growth”.
Promoting quality golf tourism, and its impact on the property market and the national economy, is also one of the FPG’s priorities. “A golf tourist spends more than the average visitor and helps to reduce seasonality, not only in the Algarve but also in other regions of the country, such as the Alentejo coast, Cascais and western Portugal,” the president explains.
The country’s unique characteristics, particularly in the south, such as the climate, courses designed by specialist architects and renowned sporting figures, high standards of maintenance, and a respected academy for greenkeepers, make Portugal the ideal golfing destination.
In fact, the Algarve’s sporting offer is thriving, with new developments and events expected in the near future.
Over the next five years, the region will host the Portugal Invitational, a PGA TOUR Champions event set to take place at The Els Club Vilamoura, further strengthening the country’s position on the international stage (see our feature on this new tournament on page 26).
Ensuring the continuity of major competitions, such as the Portuguese Open and the possible return of the Portugal Masters, is also on the agenda, with more options still being explored between the FPG, Turismo de Portugal and potential promoters.
“Major high-quality events are vital to promoting our country as a leading tourist destination,” stresses Pedro Nunes Pedro. Consistency and persistence are central to the path the FPG is charting, notably with the launch of the ‘Portugal Golf’ brand, created to bring together all aspects of the sport nation-wide and promoting flagship events as well as the improved training of players, coaches and professional golfers, with the goal of seeing a Portuguese player compete in the Ryder Cup or even win a Major.
Although the FPG currently works with around 90 golf courses, it aims to expand the sport’s geographical reach by “creating more urban facilities, driving ranges, pitch & putt options and spaces with lower maintenance costs”, explains the FPG president.
Sustainability is another priority for the Federation, with particular focus on efficient management of water resources, desalination solutions, and the use of treated wastewater for irrigation. In Portugal, several golf courses have earned international recognition for their sustainable practices, certified by the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf.
These GEO-certified facilities include the National Golf Training Centre (CNFG) at Jamor, as well as the Old Course, Pinhal, Millennium and Laguna in Vilamoura – also Biosphere certified – along with the recently opened course at Ombria Resort in Loulé.
Recognising that “the sector must adapt to the new climate reality”, Pedro Nunes Pedro emphasises his vision for Portugal to become “a country of golfers and not just a country ‘for golfers’”.
Living in Cascais and a golfer since the age of eight, he regularly visits the Algarve and is particularly familiar with Quinta do Lago, where he has spent family holidays for over 40 years.
Inspired by his father, who began playing in 1972, he developed a lifelong passion for the sport, competing in numerous national tournaments and securing two National Junior Championships, as well as victories in the National Clubs Championship and Mid-Amateur Clubs Championship.
In 1984, he competed in the European Boys’ Team Championship in Ireland and in 1987 in the European Men’s Team Championships in Austria. Between 1983 and 1985, he also played in the Portuguese Open as an amateur, and, over the years, competed in the Belgian, Moroccan, Spanish and Swiss International Championships.