Golfers are in heaven in Portugal. Algarve has been rewarded with over 3 fruitful decades of service to golfers around the world. Here you can find a wide selection of well maintained courses inviting for all golf enthusiasts. This is a place where golfers can enjoy fantastic pleasures under the sunshine. Though most of the courses in the land of Britain’s oldest ally have been built in the past 30 years in the Algarve in the South, the games venerable history traces back in the north more than a century ago, when the first course was constructed in 1890 at Espinho, nine miles south of Oporto.When England’s greatest golfer, the late Sir Henry Cotton, laid out its 18-hole championship course at Penina, the second largest town in Algarve, Portimao, 1996, it sounded the death-knell for the championship hopes of golf clubs in the north. Penina with its five star hotel, has been the venue for 5 open tournaments. Recently it has been awarded as the European Golf Resort Destination of the Year by the IAGTO.

 Another beautiful Golf resort is the Quinta do Lago, the 1,700-acre near Vale do Lobo, began in 1972. It was designed by William Mitchell when the April 25^th revolution disrupted everything. Although the first open was held at Quinta do Lago in 1976, it was not until another nine holes were designed by Joseph Lee that the Open championship was held there six times between 1984 and 1990. Quito do Lago,  The Golf resort has a total of 37 courses with the famous Vale do Lobo, the first and still one of the luxury resorts is located here. The 750- acre Parque de Floresta, at the western end of the Algarve, offers hilltop properties with views over an undulating golf course, and a range of the other sports facilities attracting more interest for golfers.

 Laranjal is the newest course and with the latest standards in golf, that is sure to heat up more every tournament. This place is a clean and green bliss not only for golfers who come to play but for vacationers as well. The Algarve has popular golf academies and clinics for golfers. You can hire a car and explore world-class accommodations at your own comfort. Algarve is 2 to 3 hours flight from the European capitals with improved road from the Faro airport. Parque da Floresta can be reached in about 90 minutes. It is well worth the drive. Accommodation in the Algarve ranges from high rise resorts in places like Albufeira to traditional guesthouses, located in the small towns and villages surrounding the Algarve coast. The Algarve is among the popular tourist spot in Portugal, its population more than doubles in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors. This Golf resort is truly one of Europe’s sunniest spot and a unique place where the finest beaches and weather on the continent meet traditional historic Portugal.

Padraig Harrington wants more major titles after adding the US PGA to his collection earlier in the summer. The world ranked No.3 player, won the 90^th US PGA Championship in Detroit, three weeks after retaining The Open with a four stroke win at Royal Birkdale.

Only Tiger Woods has managed the same double this century and Harrington not only became the first European since Scotland’s Tommy Armour in 1930 to win the US PGA, he is also the first to win consecutive majors in the same year.

Now with three majors to his name, Harrington said,

Muhammad Ali, arguably the greatest sportsman of all time, made an inspirational visit to Valhalla on the eve of The Ryder Cup, a moment described by European Captain Nick Faldo as “simply incredible”.

Louisville’s favourite son arrived at the course to wish both teams luck ahead of golf’s greatest team event, first seeing the US players on the tenth as each group teed off before making his way to the first fairway where the entire European Team had gathered to meet a man hailed as “The Greatest” amid rapturous applause from the appreciative gallery.

European Captain Nick Faldo was clearly moved by the encounter, and said : “It was one of those Ryder Cup moments you can’t put into words. It’s simply incredible.”

Every member of The European Team and their caddies assembled around the man considered the sportsman of the century and the effect on all the team was clearly both touching and motivating.

As a boxer, Ali was simply a legend. His speed and grace, coupled with his wit and charm made him a champion in the truest sense while his epic battles with Sonny Liston, where he proclaimed himself “The Greatest” and proved he was, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, when he incredibly won the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ and Leon Spinks will forever find a place among the greatest moments in sport.

Outside the ring, Ali remains a magical figure, known and loved throughout the world with a legacy as a champion, leader, humanitarian, and artist. His work both inside and outside the ring truly makes Muhammad Ali “The Greatest of All Time.”

The Ryder Cup celebrated the fact that the match was taking place in Muhammad Ali’s home town with both teams visiting “The Muhammad Ali Centre” earlier in the week.

And his visit to Valhalla the day before the teams from the United States and Europe face each other in what is sure to be another epic fight will live long in Ryder Cup memory.

For many beginners and spectators, golf rules and its terminology can appear intimidating and confusing. This article’s main objective is to bring greater clarity, thus enabling everyone to become familiar in recognizing and using these terms. Hopefully this will serve as an accurate and succinct guide to all interested parties.

Let’s start with terms frequently used on and around golf courses:-

Handicap – A numerical representation of a golfers playing potential. This is not an average but relates to the golfer’s ability.

The USGA and PGA Tour would love to have golf back in the Olympic Games and I couldn’t agree more. 1904 was the last time golf was played in the Olympics and since then it’s taken a back seat to great events like badminton, archery, and fencing!

The argument seems to be that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) already thinks golf is international enough. I think that’s a fairly narrow point of view since I’ve never seen a golfer from Russia or Haiti. The professional golfers and followers, think it’s a tremendous opportunity to expose the world to this entertaining and enjoyable sport. It’s the chance to get golf further exposed to 138 countries.