Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection looks forwards to 2019

Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection is a Portugal-based, international brand of hotels and resorts in Portugal and Brazil. What was formerly known as Dom Pedro Hotels Group, is now Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, The Algarve’s premier golf brand, following the purchase of five golf courses in Vilamoura in 2016.

The Dom Pedro Group has played an integral role in the development of Vilamoura and The Algarve; with golf contributing €370 million in economic impact to the region, a figure that has increased annually since 2014.

Central to the visitor experience is what has long been recognised as Europe’s most complete golf offering, comprising five world-class championship golf courses, all within a 3km radius: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club, Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course, Dom Pedro Laguna Golf Course and Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course. Each is set in the magnificent natural surroundings and exhibit at least five teeing options to challenge golfers of all abilities.

Vilamoura's five headline golf courses are complemented by 634 hotel rooms and apartments at three 4-star hotel properties: Dom Pedro Vilamoura, Dom Pedro Marina, and Dom Pedro Portobelo. The exceptional hotels are located in the centre of Vilamoura, next to the marina and casino, and just a few minutes from the pristine beach and beach restaurant.

Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection have embarked on a journey that will improve the golfer’s experience by enhancing the accommodations and hospitality they provide. As owners and operators of both outstanding golf and accommodation propositions, Dom Pedro presents a one-stop solution for travelling golfers.

DOM PEDRO VICTORIA GOLF COURSE:

At the time of creation, the Victoria Golf Course was hailed as the most ambitious golf project Portugal had ever witnessed. Designed by the late, great, Arnold Palmer, the course quickly became one of the best golf courses in Portugal and has undoubtedly lived up to its lofty billing.

The Par-72 Championship layout, measuring 6,651 meters (7,273 yards) from the Palmer tees, incorporates and has ensured the preservation of natural wetlands on-site, as well as the typical vegetation of carob, olive and almond trees. A significant proportion of Victoria’s 90 hectares is occupied by lakes, forming hazards to be avoided but which also have a strategic purpose in providing reservoirs for irrigation. Additionally, the venue encompasses one of the most complete golf complexes in Europe and features an exceptional driving range and a putting green of some 2,500 m2.

Fittingly, it has become the obvious venue of choice for many of the top international tournaments to visit Portugal in recent times. Indeed, it has served as the host venue to the Portugal Masters on every occasion since 2007, while the World Cup Championship was staged there in 2005.

This year Dom Pedro Hotel & Golf Collection staged an historic Portugal Masters hosted on its Arnold Palmer-designed Victoria Golf Course, where Tom Lewis secured a return to the winner’s circle and his fellow Englishman, Oliver Fisher, recorded the first 59 on the European Tour.

DOM PEDRO OLD COURSE GOLF CLUB:

In the heart of Vilamoura lies the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, the Old Course Golf Club. As one of the first-established layouts in the region, the Frank Pennink-design is well regarded throughout the golfing world. Although it is but a mere 20-minute drive from Faro Airport, the course finds itself situated amongst impressive pine trees and set out over gently undulating terrain. There can be no argument that, for all who are lucky enough to play here, this is a golf course that lives long in the memory.

The modernisation programme preserved the challenge of this magnificent layout for future generations and raised the quality of The Old Course Golf Club to new heights. An exquisite new clubhouse and the putting green adjacent were the finishing touches to this renovation in the final years of the last millennium and still add much to the golfer’s experience.

Among Algarve and Vilamoura golf courses, the Old Course Golf Club remains one of the biggest references.

DOM PEDRO PINHAL GOLF COURSE:

The second golf course to call Vilamoura home, Pinhal Golf Course was opened for play in 1976 and owes its personality to both the original designer Frank Pennink, who also turned his hand to The Old Course Golf Club nearby, and Robert Trent Jones Sr., who made a number of significant refinements in 1985.

Traversing undulating parkland, many fairways are lined by pine trees. However, perhaps an even more significant challenge is presented by the Umbrella and Atlantic pines which present themselves on fairways and at times on the approach into greens. Length has recently been added on a number of holes, which ensure the test originally envisioned by Pennink is maintained. At a substantial 6,353 metres from the white tee markers, and with a par of 72, The Pinhal Golf Course is certainly no pushover.

One of the most remarked upon features of Pinhal Golf Course is the stunning panorama provided from the clubhouse, which extends over the excellent driving range and practice facilities and beyond. Completely renovated at the turn of the millennium, its veranda offers the perfect setting for post-round relaxation.

Its authorship and its features have made it into a must see in any Algarve golf tour. Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course in Vilamoura is an unforgettable part of the Portugal golf experience.

DOM PEDRO MILLENIUM GOLF COURSE:

Boasting a unique position within the Vilamoura portfolio, it is often asserted that the creation of the Millennium Golf Course was pivotal in cementing the status of this region as one of Europe’s most-visited and best-loved for golf.

Opened in the year 2000 - comprising nine brand new holes and a refurbished inward half which had previously formed part of the original 27-hole Laguna Golf Course - this is a generally a more open course than its neighbours.

Nevertheless, holes 3-7 wind tightly between pine trees and bears resemblance to fairways of The Old Course Golf Club and Pinhal Golf Course, where landing areas grow narrower, requiring greater accuracy. Several lakes, particularly interestingly on 17 and 18, enrich the remaining holes of the Millennium Golf Course, where a simple course strategy is always the best approach. 

For luxury golf holidays in Portugal, the Millenium golf course is one of Vilamoura's best deals.

DOM PEDRO LAGUNA GOLF COURSE:

The Laguna Golf Course has earned a reputation as being a somewhat unique offering within the Vilamoura golf portfolio. While its many water hazards and few trees set it apart, it truly finds its individuality in the number of holes which convey characteristics of a traditional links layout. American golf course architect Joseph Lee was given the responsibility for setting out the Laguna Golf Course over low-lying coastal terrain, and in this setting was able to establish 18 holes which offer a wide variety of playing conditions.

The course has been continually improved since the first ball was struck in 1990, although it retains the appeal of a modern test of golf, through which the strategic positioning of bunkers and a number of water obstacles demand accuracy of play. The Laguna Golf Course shares a well-proportioned and welcoming clubhouse with the neighbouring Millennium Golf Course. 

For anyone looking for family golf offers in Vilamoura, the Laguna Golf Course is an interesting choice, with its nearby clubhouse and beautiful landscapes

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