The 2025 tour, otherwise known as 'Paddy's year' (it has been a while...), will be taking place in Portugal from 18 to 21 September 2025.

 

We have at least three full days of golf organised, with an option to play an additional round at 08:50 West Cliffs on the Sunday for those leaving later in the day.

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The majority of tourists will be arriving on Wednesday afternoon, flying into Lisbon and then heading by taxi to the exclusive Praia D'El Rey Golf & Beach Resort. Dinner will be a buffet dinner at Tempera, one of the resort's manu fne eateries. Everyone will no doubt be pleased to hear that accommodation for the entire tour will be at Praia D'El Rey.​..!

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The newly named BRyder Cup matches (England v ROW) will take place on the Thursday morning (first tee time 09:30) at Royal Óbidos Golf Club - a short 10 minute drive from the hotel - with lunch at the club afterwards. Pairings can be found here. One of the last creations from the design stable of the late Seve Ballesteros, Royal Óbidos opened its tees for play in January 2012 and is now ranked 15th in Portugal. With the ocean in view for about half the round, the course starts with a generous medium length par four before coming alive on the monstrous par five 2nd. Travelling over the road to face the lagoon side of the course, this really is a majestic tee shot and one that you want in every round. Other stand out holes on the front side are the 4th, a long par four requiring a very accurate second shot, and the 7th, a long par five with commanding views over the massive lagoon in nearby Óbidos. There are plenty of great holes on the back nine too, most notably the huge par five 11th with water. In fact, water features so prominently, coming into play on about a dozen holes, that a plentiful supply of balls is recommended. The last four holes are an absolute stunning set to finish the round with.

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We will return to the hotel after lunch for a 'Bagpuss Spcial' (aka a siesta), before heading out for the Champions' & Losers' dinner a short 12 minute drive away in the clubhouse at West Cliffs Golf Course (venue for the Open Championship the following day). The menu for the evening is available here. Justin arrives in the evening.

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The Open Championship will take place on Friday at West Cliffs Golf Course (first tee time 12:30). Ranked the 3rd best course in Portugal, West Cliffs is a Cynthia Dye design that first opened its doors to the golfing public in the summer of 2017. Offering sweeping views of the Atlantic, Berlengas Islands and Óbidos Lagoon, this dramatic seaside layout has been laid out within a massive 200-hectare property consisting of rolling sand dunes and coastal vegetation. Dye and her construction team worked closely with local government agencies to ensure minimum disruption to the environment, creating a well-balanced and sustainable links in a highly attractive location where it fits seamlessly into its natural surroundings. The architect, niece of legendary golf architect Pete Dye, said: “With the Atlantic visible from every hole, West Cliffs is the most natural golf course site imaginable. One of the most impressive characteristics of the course is just how anchored it is to the native coastal environment." Measuring 6,382 metres from the back tees, the course plays to a par of 72. Greens are carpeted with 100% Pinehurst bentgrass, the fairways are a mix of Perrenial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass and Creeping Red Fescue, whilst the rough contains a blend of different fescue grasses. Configured as two returning 9-hole circuits, the layout features a fabulous set of par threes at holes 2, 5, 12 and 16. Back-to-back par fives at the 6th and 7th form the backbone of the front nine, with a pair of demanding par fours concluding the round at holes 17 and 18.

 

​After golf, we return to Praia D'El Rey for Kezza the Lezza's birthday celebrations. Dinner (plus the weigh-in and auction) will be at Tribeca in nearby Serra d' El-Rei (a 10 minute drive away).

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After a refreshing swim in the Atlantic on Saturday morning, our mighty 2024 champions, the Calamari King and the Māori Mauler, will defend the Masters at the wild and wonderful Praia D'El Rey Golf Course (first tee time 12:45). Established in 1997 and now ranked the 8th best golf course in Portugal, the course is set in two loops of nine holes, has a par of 72 and measures 6,405 metres from the championship tees. It is reported that having viewed the site for the course at Praia D’El Rey, designer Cabell B. Robinson modestly said, "This is the kind of landscape we architects try to create, but at Praia D'El Rey it's all here, naturally. Now it's my responsibility to protect it". He has made an excellent job of doing just that. Praia D’El Rey mixes great holes cut through lush vegetation with a number of holes that run along the coastline and encompass sand dunes and links-style challenges, whilst at the same time providing amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Berlenga Islands. With large threatening bunkers and thoughtfully designed and located greens, the course will make the golfer think from tee to green. The early holes head gently uphill and then downhill towards the coast and the amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. From the 4th hole, the course turns inland for the rest of the front nine and the pick of the holes include the long par four 5th measuring 441 metres and the great par three 8th requiring an accurate shot to carry the large lake to an oval green protected by bunkers at the back. Finally, the 9th is a great finish to the front nine. It may be pretty straight, but it measures 393 metres and it’s all uphill with a narrow fairway and there are no fewer than nine bunkers to contend with. The back nine starts with a superb par five measuring 460 metres with a tricky green protected by a deep bunker left and an even deeper lake right! From here, the back nine just gets better and better and every hole is worthy of note. If any have to be picked out for special accolade, then it must be the stretch from 12 to 15 that all run along the coast and are superb tests with or without the often present Atlantic breezes. A mention must also go to the 17th, a monstrous uphill par five measuring 570 metres. Gold World described Praia D’El Rey as "A mix of holes – some in the mighty dunes, others among fragrant pines – that are an assault to the senses. Wild and wonderful".

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We will return to the hotel after golf before heading out for beers in nearby Peniche and dinner at O Sebastião in Peniche Old Town (approx. 20 minutes away).

 

​Sunday morning will see a relatively early start for thise golfing, with an 08:50 tee time back at West Cliffs.

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The broad tour itinerary is as follows:

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Wednesday 17 September

• Majority of tourists arrive into Lisbon Wednesday p.m.

• Travel to Praia D'El Rey Golf & Beach Resort where will be staying until Sunday

• Buffet dinner at Tempera (in resort)

 

Thursday 18 September

• BRyder Cup matches at Royal Óbidos Golf Club - tee booked from 09:30

• Lunch in clubhouse

• Siesta back at hotel (or beach/swim)

• Champions' & Losers' dinner in clubhouse at West Cliffs Golf Course (12 mins)

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Friday 19 September​

• Drive to West Cliffs Golf Course (12 mins)

• Open at West Cliffs - tee booked from 12:30

• Return to hotel after golf

• Dinner at Tribeca in Serra d' El-Rei, followed by weigh-in and auction

 

Saturday 20 September

• Swim, followed by breakfast

• Masters at Praia D'El Rey - tee booked from 12:45

• Dinner at O Sebastião in Peniche Old Town

 

Sunday 21 September​

• Swim, breakfast & check-out

• 08:50 tee time at West Cliffs for anyone golfing

• Head home from Lisbon