Consider this: in the last 15 years there has been only one new course designed and opened in Ireland. That’s St Patrick’s, in Donegal. In Portugal, meanwhile, three new courses will be opened in 2023 alone. One is south of Lisbon (Comporta Dunes) while the other two are in the Algarve. Portugal remains one of the most popular golf destinations in the world and these new courses will only bolster that reputation.
One of these is Ombria.
The Ombria Resort course was designed by Jorge Santana da Silva and there has been much hype about it. It will be a par 71, measuring 5,802 metres, and it has been built to the highest standards of environmental sustainability. This has allowed the course to be officially certified by the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. It is an essential recognition of environmental and social excellence. The images of the landscape – and the course – show how glorious the terrain is and what a perfect home it will be for these 18 holes. Jorge Santana da Silva is well known for his designs at Montado and Amarante, and, most famously of all, Laranjal and Pinheiros Altos. Little doubt that Ombria will shortly be joining those ranks.
This luxury sustainable golf development has just announced that it will welcome Salvador Costa Macedo as its new Director of Golf. With the highly anticipated opening scheduled for April, one of Salvador’s key priorities will be to ensure that the course is in top condition… a task that should be no problem for a man whose résumé boasts 20 years’ experience in the field of golf in Portugal.
Salvador holds a degree in Business Management from the Universidade Lusiada with postgraduate degrees in Golf Course Management (University of Algarve), Golf (Faculty of Human Motricity) and a specialisation in Hospitality Management from the Association of Directors of Hospitality in Portugal (ADHP). His knowledge has given him the opportunity to work for high-profile companies such as the Portuguese Federation of Golf (FPG), the National Training Center of Jamor, Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club, and Penina Hotel & Golf Resort. Most recently, Salvador was Sales Golf Manager at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf and Amendoeira Golf Resort in the Algarve.
“My career has allowed me to work on some of the Algarve’s most prestigious golf courses,” said Salvador, “but Ombria Resort, with its panoramic nature views, will take golfing in the Algarve to a new and exciting level. I am delighted to join the team and contribute to making this golf course a new regional highlight for golfers of all handicaps.”
The resort will include a 5-star hotel – the Viceroy at Ombria Resort – which is under construction. It will include 71 apartments, 70 rooms, 5 restaurants, swimming pools, conference centre, Spa and kids' club. There will also be a residential development
One thing’s for sure, Ombria will add hugely to the already impressive arsenal of courses in the Algarve and anyone who has a passion for golf in the Algarve will now have an even harder choice to make… or just another opportunity to visit again.
Location:
The resort is located inland, 7km north of Loulé and 25 minutes from Faro airport.
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