The Algarve, long celebrated for its sun-kissed beaches and culinary delights, is now making its mark on the global golf stage with the unveiling of The Els Club Vilamoura. This exclusive private members’ club, designed by four-time Major winner Ernie Els, is the first of its kind in the region, offering a unique blend of world-class golfing and exclusivity.
Nestled within Vilamoura’s iconic landscapes, The Els Club Vilamoura offers an experience that transcends traditional golf. Ernie Els reimagined the course’s back nine, inverting holes to create a distinctive rhythm and flow that challenges both strategy and skill. Signature holes, including the 11th, 16th, and 17th, exemplify his design philosophy, combining visual drama with thoughtful shot-making. Water features weave seamlessly through the layout, adding both aesthetic elegance and strategic challenge, reflecting the natural contours of the land and creating moments of reflection and tension at key holes.
The significance of The Els Club Vilamoura extends beyond its design. In a groundbreaking move, the club will host the inaugural Portugal Invitational, a new event on the PGA TOUR Champions calendar, from July 31 to August 2, 2026. This tournament marks the first PGA TOUR-sanctioned individual stroke play event to be held in Portugal, featuring a $3 million purse and a field of 78 players, including World Golf Hall of Famers and PGA TOUR Champions members.
“ Ernie Els reimagined the course’s back nine, inverting holes to create a distinctive rhythm and flow that challenges both strategy and skill.”
The announcement of the Portugal Invitational was made possible through a strategic partnership of 5 years between PGA TOUR Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo do Algarve. This collaboration underscores the growing recognition of the Algarve as a premier golf destination, poised to attract international attention and elevate Portugal’s profile in the global golfing community.
Stepping away from the course, Vilamoura reveals itself in subtle layers of light, water, and refined tranquillity. Just moments from the new golf course, meandering promenades and quiet avenues uncover discreet enclaves of contemporary Portuguese craft, seasonal gastronomy, and terraces bathed in Atlantic sunlight. Coastal paths and secluded beaches, blessed with over 300 days of annual sunshine, offer a refined stage for the distinctive lifestyle that defines the region.
The Els Club Vilamoura, a project managed by DETAILS and guided by Arrow Global’s visionary approach, is a milestone in Portugal’s golfing narrative. By hosting the inaugural Portugal Invitational on the PGA TOUR Champions calendar, it signals a transformative moment for Vilamoura and the Algarve. International attention now turns firmly south, highlighting a destination where world-class sport, sun-drenched landscapes, and Portugal’s rich culture converge, cementing the region as a serious contender on the global golf stage.
