The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta

There's no doubt that the Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta, Portugal, has been hugely anticipated in recent years...

... and if you tell me you haven't heard about it then you haven't been paying attention. There has been a long and somewhat complicated gestation period to the project that began well over a decade ago (2010)... well now it has come to fruition or at least it's about it. The course designed by David McLay Kidd will open officially for play on June 1st.

Where is it?  It's south of Lisbon... and just south of Troia. With another course yet to follow (designed by Olazabal and Garcia) at the same location, it will create another delicious destination like the West Cliffs/Praia d'El Rey/Royal Obidos triumvirate.

So, some detail.

Ahead of the opening of architect David McLay-Kidd’s first course in mainland Europe (he designed Powerscourt West early in his career) tee times have been made available to play the par-71 links-style layout from June 1st.

A standard green fee to play the 6,555-metres course will cost €175, while discounted rates are available for July, August, December and January 2024 will cost €125 per person.

All prices include a buggy, driving range balls and a selection of gifts, including a refillable water bottle and engraved bag tag. The experience comes with a valet meet-and-greet and club cleaning after your round.

Rodrigo Ulrich, director of golf at Terras da Comporta, said: “What David McLay-Kidd has been able to build here is exceptional and a true example of world-class golf course design.

“We are so excited about the launch and cannot wait for golfers to enjoy the exceptional on and off-course experience on offer at Terras da Comporta from this summer onward.”

Vanguard Properties, the largest real estate developer in Portugal, took ownership of the spectacular Terras da Comporta development in 2019 and the site features two plots: 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.

Situated in a secluded coastal setting on the edge of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, The Dunas Course is one of two 18-hole championship layouts that is planned at Terras da Comporta.

Created over 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain, The Dunas Course has been built using the highest sustainable practices and is predicted to quickly become of Europe’s must-play golfing venues when it opens.

Complementing The Dunas Course will be a new clubhouse and golf academy.