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 respected industry website Leading Courses 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.