Aroeira Golf Courses, among the most established names in Portuguese golf, is preparing to embark on a new chapter in its evolving history after announcing a major upgrade of its golf courses over the next 12 months.
The iconic Lisbon venue’s new management group, Details – Hospitality, Sports, Leisure, is set to make significant improvements to each of the acclaimed venue’s 18-hole championship courses – Aroeira Pines Classic and Aroeira Challenge – to further elevate the golf experience being offered to members and guests.
Situated 25km south of the Portuguese capital, Aroeira’s courses are nestled amid natural pine forest, and the idyllic setting has led to the award-winning resort being nicknamed the ‘Wentworth of Lisbon’ by many observers.
Nuno Sepulveda, co-CEO at Details – Sports, Hospitality, Leisure, said: “Aroeira is one of the most famous venues in Portuguese golf and has so much to offer to both members and guests. Both courses have highly entertaining layouts, the topography offers something that is unique to golf in this country and it’s our aim to rejuvenate and elevate the Aroeira product to take it to new heights.”
Work on renovating Aroeira Pines Classic, which hosted the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997, and improving sustainability will take place from June to October, with a similar upgrade to follow on Aroeira Challenge later in the year. Among the changes being implemented, extensive renovations will be made to the bunkers, tees, greens, course landscaping and irrigation system to greatly improve the playing experience on offer.
As well as planting the fairways with a new Bermuda grass that will reduce water consumption by ten per cent, a new bentgrass is being introduced on the greens that will deliver fast, firm and true putting surfaces.
Aroeira is also undertaking a complete renovation of the bunkering on the two layouts, with the bunkers being reshaped and filled with new sand, while all course lakes will be repaired and relined to improve water retention and water quality.
Underpinning the work is the installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system that will not only improve the condition of playing surfaces but also reduce the amount of water used by more than 20 per cent. Other improvements being made include upgrades to the practice facilities and golf equipment on offer.
“The course renovation programmes that we will be putting in place have been created not to change the nature or design of the courses but to enhance the condition of the playing surfaces and overall playing environment of each layout in an efficient and sustainable way,” added Sepulveda.
Designed by Frank Pennink, also the designer of the Old Course in Vilamoura, Aroeira Pines Classic plays to 6,650 yards, meandering through tall avenues of pine forest and surrounded by wildlife. This is a golf course that demands accuracy and placement off the tee if you’re to score well.
Aroeira Challenge, which opened in 2000, was designed by Donald Steel and is the ideal complement to its older sibling. Measuring more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, the course bares its teeth with water in play on nine holes and large, undulating greens providing a true test to golfers.
Details – Hospitality, Sports, Leisure – the platform responsible for managing the hospitality, sports and leisure areas of Arrow Global in Portugal – took management of Aroeira Golf Courses at the end of 2023.
Aroeira is among two of nine golf courses operated by Details in Portugal, with others including Vilamoura, Lagos (Palmares) and Vale Pisão. In addition, the group manages 15 hotels across the country.