RTJ II guides renovations at 27-hole Palmares resort

Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II) has guided renovation work across all 27 holes at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf, located in Portugal’s Algarve region.

The resort originally opened as an 18-hole destination in 1975, with the course designed by Frank Pennink. It garnered recognition for its stretch of five holes set right next to the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2003, Onyria, owned by the Pinto Coelho family, bought the resort, acquired land on the inland side of the Tunes–Lagos railway line, and hired RTJ II to lead a renovation of the course and add nine new holes. Work was completed in 2010-11, with the three nines known as Praia, Lagos and Alvor.

Palmares is now part of a portfolio of assets managed by Details – Hospitality, Sports, Leisure, which is owned by Arrow Global, and has been subject to new investment.

“This investment is part of a much bigger vision for Palmares,” said Nuno Sepulveda, co-CEO at Details. “As the management company, we took a hard look at the resort and it was clear this was what was needed to bring the golf course back up to the standards that a place like Palmares deserves. 

“After the renovations we’ve carried out across our golf portfolio, it made perfect sense for Palmares to be next. With its combination of parkland and links-style holes in an incredible coastal setting offering the best views in the region, Palmares is such a special place. This project will deliver improved playability, upgraded facilities and modernised infrastructure, while putting sustainability at the core of how the course is run.”

All three nines have undergone renovation work to improve course conditioning, playing surfaces and landscaping. A new short-game area and putting green have also been built while the resort has updated its fleet of greenkeeping machinery and is changing its course maintenance and irrigation practices, with the aim of reducing the total area it needs to water by 20 per cent.

Work includes widening fairways, expanding shortgrass areas around greens, updating tee surfaces, and renovating and repositioning bunkers, while ensuring they retain the original strategy.

“Palmares occupies an extraordinary coastal landscape, and our approach has been to strengthen the qualities that make the course memorable while creating more options and enjoyment for a wider range of players,” said Bruce Charlton, president of RTJ II.

“We’ve increased the ‘fun factor’ for golfers of all skill levels by widening fairways and incorporating short grass as a defense instead of sand bunkers on many green complexes. We’ve also updated tee surfaces and bunkers, always respecting the character and strategic intent of the original design.”

Renovation work has covered all three nines at the Palmeras resort (Photo: James Hogg)

“This work reflects a much bigger vision for Palmares,” said Sepulveda. “RTJ II’s expertise has helped us enhance the playing experience and modernize the course while preserving what makes the property so distinctive.

“With improved playability, upgraded facilities and more efficient infrastructure, Palmares is better positioned to realize its potential as one of Europe’s leading golf and lifestyle destinations.”

Gonzaga Liniers, general manager at Palmares Ocean Living & Golf, said: “Joining Palmares at the same time as this significant renovation has been really exciting, and it gives me real confidence that within the next two years, we will position Palmares as one of the best golf destinations in Europe.

“That won’t just be down to the golf. With our award-winning clubhouse, the new leisure facilities and the arrival of JW Marriott, the brand’s first hotel in Portugal, every part of the resort is moving forward together. It’s a great time to be here and we’re looking forward to showing people the very best version of Palmares.”

The Algarve resort recently joined the European Tour Destinations network.

Read more:
By Design (Summer 2011) highlights the RTJ II redesign completed in 2010-11.