Portugal’s world famous Trà³ia Golf Championship Course, designed by renowned American golf architect Robert Trent Jones Senior and opened in 1980, has recently reopened after implementing a number of initiatives to reinvigorate the course and promote green practice.
The host of the Portuguese Open Championship in 1983 and the International European Amateurs Championship in 2002, this spectacular 18-hole links golf course is considered a ‘work of art’ by director of Trà³ia Golf, Henrique de Sousa.
Located on the picturesque Trà³ia peninsula, just half an hour’s drive from Lisbon, this gem of a course is ranked amongst the top courses in Europe. Trent Jones himself selected Trà³ia’s third hole for his dream eclectic course.
Laid out along the beach amidst sand dunes and pine groves, the course is encircled by the sea, with the dramatic backdrop of the Arrabida mountain range on the opposite shore of the Sado Estuary. Greens are small with naturally shaped defensive bunkers and hummocks and the fairways are narrow and hemmed in by sandy dunes and pine trees.
Trà³ia Golf was closed in October 2007 for a six-month, £1 million overhaul to update and renovate certain aspects of the course. Although the layout of the course was not altered, all greens and fairways were re-laid and upgraded irrigation systems installed.
Director of golf, Henrique de Sousa, says, “The installation of the new irrigation system allows better management of the water used – both in terms of the coverage and quantity applied. This therefore reduces the amount of water used and also decreases the electricity used to run the system.”
Chemical treatments at Trà³ia Golf are a main concern, with the implementation of the resort’s ISO 14001 environmental management system. Chemical usage is monitored closely and only minimum quantities are applied.
In Trà³ia’s breathtaking location, rough areas are left untouched as low intensity managed areas to promote the growth of natural wild flower spices and to encourage the introduction of local animal and bird life.
Further improvements to the Trà³ia Championship Course ainclude the brand new clubhouse, which will be opening October 2008. Designed by Joao Paciencia, the space being created is more modern, more aligned to the requirements of today’s market and firmly in line with the rest of the Troiaresort.
Constructed in rustic style with first class facilities and services including a golf reception, pro-shop, bar, restaurant and a large balcony overlooking the picturesque 18th green, Trà³ia Championship Golf Course is a first class destination for golfers from all over the world.
Golf villas are now available at Troiaresort, and plots adjacent to the golf course are priced from €750,000 to €1,400,000. Buyers are advised to budget between €1,800,000 and €2,500,000 for finished villa, pool and garden.
Troiaresort www.irgtroiaresort.com