You just have to cross a large bridge with the false air of Golden Gate, which is watched by a giant Christ, his arms outstretched. You are neither in San Francisco, nor in Rio de Janeiro, but on the banks of the Tagus, south of the Portuguese capital. Within reach of (a few) drives from the Atlantic Ocean and the impressive reddish cliff that borders the endless sandy beaches of the Costa da Caparica, the Aroeira Golf Resort offers a completely different setting: avenues of tall pines surround two very varied championship courses.

It was called Aroeira I for a long time, which has the merit of clarity but remains, let's admit, a little less glamorous than Aroeira Pines Classic, its new controlled designation of origin. Sculpted in 1973 by Frank Pennink, the elder of the two courses in this vast 350 hectare estate has twice hosted the Portuguese Open (in 1996 and 1997). Its typically “British” side has even earned it the name of “Lisbon Wentworth” by the media across the Channel. Here, precision is a categorical almost Kantian imperative made necessary by the narrowness of the fairways and the thousands of surrounding pines. For the eyes, it is a treat. For the scorecard, the target is rather to be well adjusted, even if this par 72 remains accessible to all levels of play, the roughs being little penalizing and the fairway bunkers with absent subscribers. Special mention, for the long par 3 of hole n ° 8 and its very sloping green, as well as the par 4 of 11 which requires a first blind shot then reveals a green island on which a flag seems to taunt you. Without forgetting the postcard of 14, a very pretty little par 3, protected downstream by a water obstacle and a bunker as wide as it is deep.

A second more challenging golf course

We change our style for the Aroeira Challenge (formerly Aroeira II), an American par 72 designed by Donald Steel, who notably remodeled certain courses in St Andrews in the 80s. This barely major golf course opened in April 2000 is more challenging than its older brother, with its vast undulating greens, its Scottish bunkers and its five large lakes which put water into play on half of the holes. Like the Aroeira Pines Classic, the return is even more scenic than the outward journey. It is difficult not to be distracted by the superb villas, with very varied architecture, which line certain fairways. The Aroeira Golf Resort is part of the Orizonte group, which operates five beautiful courses south of Lisbon: the two Aroeira, Ribagolfe Lakes, Ribagolfe Oaks, as well as the 9 hole Oeiras just 10 minutes from the city center. The opportunity to discover the charms of the Portuguese capital with your golf bag.

Frank Crudo

https://orizontegolf.com/en/aroeira-pines-classic/

https://orizontegolf.com/en/aroeira-challenge/

OR SLEEP ?

Located five minutes from the two Aroeira courses and about twenty kilometers from the capital, Aroeira Lisbon Hotel Sea & Golf is a brand new 4 * with an outdoor swimming pool. The cuisine is of high quality in this establishment which also has its own restaurant by the sea (3 km). A shuttle takes you to the golf course.

https://aroeiralisbonhotel.com/