Vanguard Properties officially opens Dunas Golf Course

Located in the Terras da Comporta resort, and one of the most talked about projects in the golfing world, the Dunas Golf Course had its official inauguration on 5th October.

José Cardoso Botelho, CEO of Vanguard Properties, the largest property developer in Portugal and an investor in the project, said: "This is an incredible day, not only for everyone involved in Dunas Golf Course, but for Portuguese golf in general. [The golf architect] David McLay-Kidd has done a remarkable job and created a course unlike any other in Portugal. Golfers from all over the world will want to play here, thus putting Terras da Comporta firmly on the map as a new golf destination."

Golf Director, Rodrigo Ulrich, said: "Dunas Golf Course is incredible, both in terms of its location and its design. Best of all, it will get even better as it matures. For me, it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be associated with the development of a golf course of this importance, and we’re looking forward to welcoming golfers from all over the world."

As for the renowned golf architect who designed the course, David McLay-Kidd said: "I'm very proud of what we've created here and I firmly believe that there is no other golf course like it in this part of Europe. I've been asked how I would characterise the course and I would say that it's easy to categorise, it's pure links. What's really great for me is that I've had the opportunity to develop something unique, so natural and accessible to everyone at a reasonable price. It's fantastic. I hope the course fills up quickly with golfers and becomes a benchmark for golf, not only in southern Europe, but also worldwide."

Located on the Alentejo coast, in an isolated setting, on the edge of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, Dunas Golf Course was created over 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain and has already received widespread praise since its soft opening at the beginning of June. This course, which has seen major investment in sustainability and innovation, is one of two 18-hole courses planned for the Terras da Comporta project, with a second course, O Torre, designed by Sergio Garcia and scheduled for 2025.

Vanguard Properties acquired Terras da Comporta in 2019, and the place has two ongoing projects: Torre, with 365 hectares of land in the Alcácer do Sal municipality, and Dunas, which occupies 1,011 hectares in the Grândola municipality. In addition to the golf courses, there will be a variety of activities available, such as tennis, padel, pickle-ball, among other sports, with a large area for hotels, as well as tourist and residential condominiums.