Championship VenueLinks Classic

Praia d'El Rey Golf & Country Club

Óbidos, Silver Coast · Designed by Cabell Robinson (1997) · Est. 1997

Praia d'El Rey, on the wild Silver Coast near the medieval walled town of Óbidos, was the course that opened up golf north of Lisbon. Designed by the American architect Cabell Robinson — a protégé of Robert Trent Jones — and opened in 1997, it is a genuine mix of two styles: the opening and closing holes run through pinewoods, but the heart of the course is out among the Atlantic dunes, links golf in the truest sense, with the Berlengas islands out to sea.

A long, testing par 72 of some 6,600 metres, it is defended by deep bunkers, undulating greens and natural sand areas that contrast with the lush fairways, and by the ever-present sea wind on the dune holes. It has long been rated among the top courses in Europe and remains one of Portugal's premier golfing destinations.

It anchors the Praia d'El Rey Marriott resort, with a magnificent beach alongside and its sister course, West Cliffs, next door.

Holes worth knowing

1The dune holes by the Atlantic — the middle of the course leaves the pinewoods for genuine links land among the dunes, exposed to the sea wind.
2The closing stretch — a strong finish back through the pines and sand to the clubhouse and the beach.

Highlights

The pioneer of golf on the Silver Coast (1997)
True Atlantic-dune links holes at its heart
Views to the Berlengas islands
Marriott resort with a magnificent beach

Good to know

→It pairs perfectly with its sister course, West Cliffs, next door — two contrasting Silver Coast rounds from one base at the Marriott resort.
→It is two courses in one: play the pinewood holes conservatively, then brace for the wind on the true dune links in the middle, where the sea breeze is the whole examination.
→The walled medieval town of Óbidos nearby is one of the prettiest in Portugal — cobbled lanes, a castle you can stay in, and the cherry liqueur Ginja served in a little chocolate cup.
→The Silver Coast is wilder and quieter than the Algarve: Peniche and the Berlengas island reserve, and the giant-wave surfing spectacle at Nazaré, are all within reach.
→The magnificent beach beside the resort is spectacular, and Lisbon is under an hour south for a city day.