The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta has achieved a new first after being rated as the number one golf course in Portugal by users of a respected industry website – less than a year after opening.
The spectacular course near Lisbon – architect David McLay-Kidd’s first golf design project in mainland Europe which officially opened on October 5 last autumn – shot straight to the top of the rankings in Leading Courses’ updated ‘Golfers’ Choice Awards 2024’.
Decided by reviews given by the Leading Courses community, each course is assessed across a range of categories including design, surroundings, maintenance, hospitality and value for money, with The Dunas Course scoring highly in each.
The accolade is the latest in a growing list of prestigious honours to be bestowed on The Dunas Course since the par-71 layout opened – including being named as the ‘World’s Best New Golf Course’ and ‘Europe’s Best New Golf Course’ at the 2023 World Golf Awards.
Rodrigo Ulrich, director golf at Terras da Comporta, said: “It’s been an amazing first year for The Dunas Course and the reaction that we have received from the industry and golf public has been nothing short of incredible since we opened.
“It’s always great when you win any accolade but the fact that these awards have been voted for by golfers who have visited Terras da Comporta and played the course makes this extra special.”
Stijn Greveling, country manager EMEA for Leading Courses, said: “Leading Courses congratulates The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta on a stellar debut in the Golfers’ Choice Awards which has left an unforgettable mark on the golf community from the start.”
Situated one hour south of Lisbon in a secluded setting on the edge of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, The Dunas Course – which measures 6,646 metres off the back tees – has been created over 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain and has been built using the highest sustainable practices.
Owned by Vanguard Properties, Portugal’s largest real estate developer who took ownership of the development in 2019, Terras da Comporta features two large developments: Torre, comprising 365 hectares of land and where a second course designed by Sergio Garcia is being built (set to follow in 2025), and Dunas, which occupies around 1,011 hectares.
Complementing The Dunas Course will be a new clubhouse and golf academy. Away from the fairways, an array of lifestyle activities will be available including horse-riding, wellness, tennis, padel, pickleball and many other sports, with a wide range of plots for hotels, tourist and residential condominiums also on offer.
For more information visit: www.comporta.com
About Vanguard Properties
Vanguard Properties, the largest real estate developer in Portugal, was founded in 2017 by Claude Berda and José Cardoso Botelho. Focusing on innovation and standards of the highest quality, Vanguard Properties mainly operates in the luxury and premium residential and tourism segments, with a vision enshrined in an integrated lifestyle philosophy, where every detail counts. Projects with the Vanguard hallmark extend far beyond the expected, they promote a lifestyle in which all aspects, from architecture to exclusive services and interior design, including the pieces of art in shared areas, all converge to the same result: to offer a unique way of life, while at the same time, providing buyers with a handsome investment.
The group currently has 22 urban and tourist projects in its portfolio spread over upmarket locations in Lisbon, Oeiras, Algarve and Comporta, covering a total above ground Gross Building Area (GBA) of around 1.027.781 sqm, in an investment worth more than €1.215 million.
About Terras da Comporta
The Terras da Comporta development, located in the heart of Comporta, is the result of Vanguard Properties’ acquisition of assets from the Herdade da Comporta Real Estate Fund in 2019.
It is made up of two large developments: Torre, comprising 365 hectares of land in the Alcácer do Sal municipality, and Dunas, which occupies around 1,011 hectares of land in the Grândola municipality. Both enjoy exceptionally tranquil and beautiful locations in dense pine forest. Torre is found near Comporta Village and its iconic rice fields, and Dunas, eight kilometres to the south, is next to Praia do Pego beach.
The Terras da Comporta project is founded on the best environmental, economic and social sustainability practices, assuming a long-term perspective that will undoubtedly contribute to the region’s development. Positioned in the market’s most exclusive segment, where aspects such as quality, comfort and privacy are given top priority, both Torre and Dunas offer a wide range of plots for hotels, tourist and residential condominiums.
There will also be excellent sports facilities including two 18-hole golf courses designed by world-renowned golf architect David McLay-Kidd (Dunas) and US Masters champion, José María Olazábal and Sergio Garcia (Torre). Having been originally launched by McLay-Kidd in 2010, The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta opened for play on June 1, 2023, with its official inauguration taking place in October 2023.