DP World Tour professional reconnects with the course where it all began
– March 6, 2026
Portuguese professional golfer Ricardo Melo Gouveia has signed a new ambassador deal with Vilamoura for the 2026 season, returning to where it all started.
The 34-year-old started playing golf at Clube de Golfe de Vilamoura when he was 10. Since then, he has represented Portugal on some of the world’s biggest stages, including the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and has competed regularly on the DP World Tour.
Gouveia said: “Clube de Golfe de Vilamoura is where I first started playing golf and where my passion for the game truly developed. But it’s more than just a golf club, it feels like family to me.”
“I remember coming here as a junior, practising with my friends and meeting my first coach. It gave me the foundation to pursue college in the United States and eventually turn professional.”
After studying at the University of Central Florida, he broke into the world’s top 150 within seven years and has become an inspiration for young Portuguese golfers.
Vilamoura Golf Club has long been part of the Algarve golf scene, going back to 1969, when the Old Course opened. Over the years, it has hosted regular competitions and worked closely with the Portuguese Golf Federation.
“I’m very proud to see how Vilamoura has evolved,” Gouveia said. “It’s a destination with enormous potential and a unique charm, shaped by more than 300 days of sunshine and the authenticity of the region. Seeing the infrastructure being renewed, the brands gaining new life, and international events returning here fills me with great joy.”
In recent months, Vilamoura has organised major sporting events, including the upcoming Portugal Invitational at the Els Club Vilamoura, part of the PGA Tour Champions schedule from July 27 and August 2.
Nuno Sepúlveda, Co-CEO at DETAILS, said the partnership reflects the new direction Vilamoura is taking, highlighting the vital role of golf as a driving force for the local economy, bringing communities together and nurturing the next generation of talent.
“Seeing a great athlete like Ricardo Melo Gouveia reconnect with the place where his journey began shows that we are on the right path in Vilamoura’s transformation.”
“Ricardo is one of Portugal’s top golfers and a true competitor in every sense of the word, with the talent, dedication and mindset to perform on the biggest stages; exactly the kind of athlete we want to stand beside. Our work began with investing in world-class infrastructure, and now we are taking the next step by supporting sports across all levels.”
The announcement follows Gouveia’s recent top-10 finish at the Kenya Open on the DP World Tour, after rounds of 64 (six under par), 65 (five under), 67 (three under) and 68 (two under) on the final day, which included four birdies and two bogeys.
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