Porto Santo Golfe is stepping up its drive to become more sustainable after unveiling a range of new measures aimed at lowering its eco-footprint and making golfers more environmentally conscious.
Officials at the golf club – located in the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira – are set to introduce a series of upgrades across its golf and clubhouse facilities in the coming months to reduce water, plastic and electricity usage and improve recycling levels.
At the forefront of the improvements being made is the installation of a new pumping system in the lake on the fourth hole to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce the amount of liquid used watering the course.
Off the course, Porto Santo’s pro shop is making changes to ensure golfers using the venue can also help to conserve the environment. Bamboo tees will be sold in the shop to encourage golfers not to use plastic golf tees, with a campaign running on social media at the same time to further enhance the message.
In addition, a new rubbish house is being built to improve recycling levels, with rubbish separation baskets in place at the clubhouse and monthly reports being undertaken to measure the rubbish weight. An electric certification will also take place to help reduce electric usage.
Porto Santo’s updated approach towards sustainability comes with larger measures already in place to preserve the island, of which the golf course is named after, and its relationship with nature. This included Porto Santo being named as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2020 - one of 25 new locations named in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Designed by Seve Ballesteros and host of the Madeira Islands Open in 2009 and 2011, the club is the perfect example of the harmony between human activity and wildlife. Dotted with lakes and natural habitats within the course, the northern route of the course is set atop fantastic cliffs and near the stunning Porto Santo beach. Diverse marine life thrives nearby, including the loggerhead sea turtle and the rarest seal in the world, the Mediterranean monk seal.
Porto Santo Golfe is one of three first-class golf courses in Madeira – alongside Clube de Golfe Santo da Serra and Palheiro Golf - with the Portuguese archipelago also featuring an array of outstanding historic, cultural and lifestyle experiences.
Named as the world and Europe’s leading island destination at the 2021 World Travel Awards and located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland – and just 500km from the African continent – the island destination enjoys an amazingly mild climate, ranging from 25°c in the summer to 17°c in the winter, with very mild average temperatures and moderate humidity, making it the perfect year-round location for a golf break.
The best way to enjoy the island’s golf is with a Madeira Golf Passport which, providing holders with an unrivalled golf experience, is available to both individuals and groups and can be booked on a three or five-round basis.