In Portugal golf is played year-round, and they have a choice from more than 70 courses, many of them designed by some of the most well known names in the business

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - October 2nd, 2012 - Victorious European Ryder Cup Captain José Maria Olazábal and Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Francesco Molinari of Italy - will play in the Portugal Masters at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course at Vilamoura next week in the AlgaveOlazábal, who led Europe to a 14 ½ - 13 ½ win over the United States at Medinah Country Club in Illinois, is joined in the field for the sixth edition of the Portugal Masters by  Kaymer, the man who ensured The Ryder Cup stays in European hands, and Molinari, who claimed the deciding half point.

Also competing in the €2,250,000 tournament are the four experienced Vice-Captains who gave Olazábal the benefit of their accumulated wisdom – Dane Thomas Björn, Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain and Irishman Paul McGinley.Also in the field will be Ireland’s three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington, who experienced four wins from six Ryder Cups; Frenchman Thomas Levet, who played in the victorious 2004 side under Bernhard Langer, and some notable other winners in Niclas Fasth, Ignacio Garrido, David Howell, Phillip Price and Henrik Stenson.

Peter Adams, Championship Director for the Portugal Masters, said: “Europe’s incredible win sent a wave of excitement throughout European golf and we are delighted that ‘Captain Olly’ and  other high profile Ryder Cup stars will be in Vilamoura next week. We are sure they will all receive a rousing reception from the spectators who can both celebrate a wonderful win for the European Team and enjoy world class golf at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course.”

In Portugal golf is played year-round, and they have a choice from more than 70 courses, many of them designed by some of the most well known names in the business. Portugal’s year-round mild climate makes it a great golfing destination. But the climate is just one reason Portugal’s golf is considered among Europe’s best.

Fourteen of Portugal’s courses are rated in the top 100 best in Europe. Leading international golf circuits are played here and each year the country hosts the Portuguese Open in the Algarve, the Madeira Open on the island of Madeira and the Estoril Open. The Algarve Region, Portugal’s most southern region, and the Lisbon area have both been named Golf Destinations of the Year.  

Portugal is also a great location to learn the game and the perfect technique. Many resorts offer classes with the pros. And, if a travel companion is just not that into golf, the scenery and beaches of the Algarve region or the cosmopolitan flavor of Lisbon will likely keep them happily occupied. The Porto Golf Course, next to Espinho beach, is the second oldest course in Europe, dating to 1890. 

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