The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta provided the spectacular setting for John Deere to showcase its latest range of turf machinery to an audience of VIP clients from all over Europe.
Around 50 greenkeepers, superintendents and general managers from leading clubs and resorts headed to the globally acclaimed course near Lisbon to take part in the inaugural John Deere Trade Invitational.
The two-day event – organised by John Deere as part of a five-year preferred partnership agreement that the company signed with Vanguard Properties, the owners of Terras da Comporta in 2023 – provided guests with the exclusive opportunity to see at first hand the latest equipment, from electric to hybrid machinery, that the leading sports turf manufacturers is developing ahead of it being released to market.
Having had the chance to see the machinery in action on the course on the first day, the group – which included industry personnel from countries including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal and the UK – then had the opportunity to play 18 holes on The Dunas Course before the event finished with a golf tournament prize-giving ceremony.
Rodrigo Ulrich, director of golf at Terras da Comporta, said: “Terras da Comporta is committed to working with the best names in golf, and this event was a fantastic way to celebrate the first year of agreement with John Deere.
“It was a privilege for us to host the group and to have the opportunity to showcase John Deere’s latest machinery range on Europe’s best new golf course, and we can’t wait for the event to return in 2025.”
Paul Trowman, golf & turf business manager at John Deere, said: “The John Deere Golf team use the saying "Trusted by the Best" and this showcased at Comporta Dunes Golf. It was a pleasure to share the success of our alliance by hosting this event for just a few of our valuable customers from around Europe.
“During the event, the team shared the goals that unite us as partners – a dedication to excellence, a passion for innovation, and a deep-rooted commitment to serving customers with the utmost care and professionalism. John Deere is proud to be partners with Terras da Comporta, and together, we look forward to shaping a future where precision technology continues to drive sustainable practices and elevate customer experiences to new levels.”
Located one hour south of Lisbon, The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta is architect David McLay-Kidd’s first golf course in mainland Europe and has made headlines around the world since opening summer – including being named as the ‘World’s Best New Golf Course’ and ‘Europe’s Best New Golf Course’ at the 2023 World Golf Awards.
Situated on the coast in a secluded setting on the edge of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, The Dunas Course – which measures 6,646 metres off the back tees – has been created over 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain and has been built using the highest sustainable practices.
Owned by Vanguard Properties, Portugal’s largest real estate developer who took ownership of the development in 2019, the par-71 layout is the first of two 18-hole courses that is being built at Terras da Comporta, with a second designed by European Ryder Cup legend Sergio Garcia set to open in summer 2025.
Measuring, 6,575 metres from the back tees when it is completed, The Torre Course – the first course that Garcia has worked on in Portugal – is set to feature a combination of risk-and-reward holes, tight fairways and small greens, with the Spaniard taking inspiration from his favourite course in the world, Valderrama.
Away from the fairways, an array of lifestyle activities will also be available including horse-riding, wellness, tennis, padel, pickleball and many other sports, with a wide range of plots for hotels, tourist and residential condominiums also on offer.
For more information visit: www.comporta.com/