Three South African investors turned a dream into a reality, by opening a golf course inspired by sustainability, conservation and environmental protection.
Espiche Golf SA wanted to create a golf course that was a model of sustainability, in a spectacular setting, in one of Europe’s busiest golf destinations. Those investors found land, close to the town of Lagos on Portugal’s Algarve and with views of the Sierra de Monchique Mountains, and set out to create Espiche Golf.
Espiche Golf opened in February 2012 and was the 39th golf course on the famous Portugese Coast, which has always been favoured by European and British golfers for its year-round sunshine, quality golf courses and hotels.
Espiche Golf has been designed by South African based golf course architect Peter Sauerman, whose 18-hole par 72 course has mountain views, indigenous plants and subtle landscaping. Golf courses in the Algarve have always taken care to promote their green credentials and demonstrate their care for natural environments and sensitive eco-systems bordering golf developments.
The Ria da Formosa wetlands – home to courses at Quinta da Lago and Quinta Ria – are an excellent example of an Algarve nature reserve surrounded by golf courses. The Portugese government requires golf course owners and developers to meet exacting standards and Espiche Golf is making its eco-friendly policies a hallmark of its brand and marketing to golfers.
A spokesperson for Espiche Golf SA, said: “The environment has been considered at every stage when creating the layout and managing the course. The beauty of the Western Algarve is the main focus, with wetlands and hilly terrain presenting a beautiful but challenging place for golfers to enjoy alongside pine and almond trees, either as a stretch of 9 or 18 holes.”
The course is situated close to several tourist attractions including:
- Natural spa waters at Caldas de Monchique dating back to Roman times
- The fishing port of Lagos which was recently voted the world’s #1 holiday destination on the rise by readers of travel website TripAdvisor.com
- Lagos Zoo
The developers of Espiche Golf have chosen a prime location for golf tourism in the Western Algarve and one that has recently benefited from new development at Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort.
Palmares Golf was traditionally one of the Algarve’s best-loved 18-hole courses and recently expanded into a 27-hole golf resort with a five-star hotel, spa and residential properties in development.
Palmares enjoys one of the best views in Algarve Golf, looking out over the AlvorBay, and was also voted Lagos’ second best attraction by TripAdvisor readers. Espiche Golf offers golf travellers a slightly more affordable alternative to Palmares.
Golf courses near Lagos
Lagos is close by and has lots of bars and restaurants serving good food.
The clubhouse at Espiche enjoys 360⁰ views of the landscape up to the Monchique Mountains from a terrace bar, restaurant and patio garden. For more visit: https://www.espichegolf.pt/en/