Cascais Golf Courses

There aren't too many golf holiday destinations that allow you to sample the delights of a richly historical capital city as well as a diversity of golf second to none. Lisbon is one of them.......

Often rated behind its sibling, the Algarve, Lisbon offers so much to the golfer. Like so many European capital cities, Lisbon has its roots touched by the Roman Empire, but much of its traditions and architecture is influenced by the later arrival of the Moors.



From a golfing perspective the region can be loosely split in two. Noth Lisbon & the Estoril Coast and south Lisbon.

My first port of call was to the stunning course at Oitavos Dunes in Quinta Da Marinha, a small and affluent area of Cacais

Arthur Hills designed the course, which has risen to one of the most popular tracks on the European Tour rosta, and his name should tell you most of what you need to know about Oitavos Dunes. Hills' design awards are legendary in the US, and the fact that he was tempted to over the Atlantic for the project suggests he fell in love with this corner of Western Europe.

The course feels linksy and with wind a daily factor, its a challenging test. All the Par 3's are stunning, the third being a typical links par 3. The stroke index 1 Par 4 6th is a brute in to the prevailing wind. The flyover course guide does not demonstrate how tough the 14th is in to the wind, with the Pro's often hitting 1 Iron's in to the green - one of the best 3's in the world.



The clubhouse is beautiful and is brilliantly designed to ensure shelter out side from whichever way the wind is blowing.

All in all, Oitavos Dunes is one of the finest golf courses in Europe, let alone in Portugal and with around 16,000 green fees played per annum its not crammed with players, allowing you to enjoy the stunning views, fast greens and challenge that is Oitavos.

long time no blog...

What a poor effort......I put it down to playing too much golf!!!!!!

Anyway apologies for that. Its been a busy summer of golf and let me tell you where I've played over the last couple of months.....

Played at Piperdam in Scotland before the Open Championship at Carnoustie. It was an invitational day from the Andalucian Tourist board. It P**sed it down wth rain, but I persisted and came in 2nd (and ahead of my scumbag brother!!!) so it was worth it....

Had a good day playing with Ricardo from Almenara Golf Resort and also Salva from the hidden gem that is Santana.

Caroustie was fantastic and it was so brilliant to see Padraig win. I'm good mates with Padraig'sagent from IMG and he was delighted and partied hard for a few days. hopefully this result will mean more European players can "do the job" on the final day.

In August I played the Oulton Hall Golf Day on the Euro Pro Tour Pro Am. Great day. Good hotel and quite a nice course although it was a little tight in places, but generally well kept.....didn't play too well but enjoyed some of Richard Barker's hospitality.


Looking forward to the Rugby world cup starting this week.....come on Ireland

Angel Cabrera

Well done to Angel Cabrera for his win at Oakmont (what a brute of a course) in the 2007n US Open. Kept his nerve and held off a pretty focussed Tiger.

I also had a good win yesterday at Whitttlebury in the Mixed Foursomes - won at the 19th Hole..... Hit a great shot in to the green over water.......pretty pleased!!!!!!!!

Off to France soon to play La Baule and St Jean De Monts - anyone who has played these two please let me know.....

Marriott Worsley Park Pro Am

As earlier reported, I took my place at the Oceanico Group Pro Am event at Worsley Park last week. What a fantastic time I had. The weather wasn't great, but I was pleasantly surprised with the course, a couple of cracking holes, including the 7th, 12th and 13th my favourites.

What was great was that I played with a good Pro (Denny Lucas) and also Steve Davis (World Snooker God). I've got to say the banter was excellent and we finished the 10 holes in 11 under par to tie for first place, Steve was great company and a total legend!!!!

The Marriott Hotel at Worsley Park was very good, nice hotel and certainly one of the better properties in the North West

Playing in a Pro Am!

The wonderful people at Vilamoura Golf, have kindly extended an invitation to play in there pro am team at the Marriott Worsley Park event in May. The event is part of the Challenge Tour, one level down from the European Tour, but should still be slightly nerve wracking!!

Worsley is supposed to be a good track, but I'll update you on what I think after my virginity is broken.

Hanbury Manor

I receive numerous invites to play different courses, most which I kindly decline (so that I actually do some work for most of the week. However when an invite for a corporate golf day at Hanbury Manor dropped on my desk, I immediately accepted.



I've played Hanbury three times now. I absolutely love the course. It is always really well kept and can pride itself on very good greens.



The front and the back nine are very different.



The first is a driveable par 4 with a huge hollow protecting a raised and undulating green which is a real 3 putter. The second is a short and tempting Par5 but a shallow green is protected by a lake so gives a real risk reward.



the Par 4 8th is stroke index 1. A long sweeping par 4 with a pond protecting a tilted green.



The back nine is good, two short but tricky par 3's and with par 4's using the water cleverly it has some great features.



My favourite is another shortish Par 5 narrowing to an approach shot over water to a 2 tiered green. I won longest drive there on the day (over 300 yards - very good for me!!!!).







Hanbury's hotel by Marriott is a good 5 star and the whole complex is a very good and different offering to the Grove.