With three dramatically landscaped courses, golfers are well-served in the Azores. Batalha is situated on the north coast of San Miguel just 10 minutes from Ponta Delgada, and this well-maintained 27-hole layout has matured into a beautifully scenic course with tall trees, lush vegetation and good fairway grass offering the ball a good lie. It is a demanding but most enjoyable course featuring some long par 4s and offering dramatic, spectacular views over the sea and lakes that become deep blue when the sun is out.
The first nine faces the ocean, while the rest of the course plays through woodland with volcanic mountain views. Although it is hard to choose the best hole, the view from the par 3 5th tee, where you have to drive over twin lakes, or the soaring par 4 6th are strong candidates. The large Clubhouse with its classic island architecture and modern facilities is another bonus.
Furnas ‘Cedars’ Golf - São Miguel, photo by Furnas Golf Club
Furnas Golf Course is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of São Miguel, in the mountains above the Furnas Valley. The course itself is a tough challenge for most players – especially when the fairways are soggy. At 1,700 feet above sea level, passing clouds sometimes mist the fairways! The trickiest hole is the 410m long 9th hole situated between two lakes with a small green at the end. Each year Furnas hosts the most important international golfing event in the Azores - the Sata Azores Open - in conjunction with the Batalha course.
The course is located on the Ilha Terceira is considered the easiest to play of the three golf courses within the Azores. The fairways are wide and the few bunkers hardly impede the play. The course is not overly demanding, but watch out for the par 4 10th, where you
have to cross a ravine and cope with water, as well as for the long par 5 17th which is extremely narrow off the men’s tee.
All in all there are golfing opportunities for every level in the Azores.
More information: The Portuguese Golf Club
ATOP members: Archipelago Azores Ltd, Destination Portugal, Keytel International, Leisure Link Golf Holidays International, Sunvil Discovery
