Last September 20, the Villas&Golfe International Cup – a golf circuit organised by PMmedia and by Villas&Golfe magazine –, which takes place every year in Portugal, Angola and Mozambique, welcomed in the autumn at Estela Golf Club in Póvoa de Varzim.
The impressive 18-hole, Par 72 course was the venue chosen for another stage of this amateur golf tournament. The setting and views over the Atlantic Ocean provided scenic charms for the 80-plus participants and all the guests present. And there were plenty of challenges for them too! From narrow fairways, in landing areas, surrounded by dunes, or firm and fast greens, to obstacles such as lakes and bunkers. Such were the difficulties. From then on, it was only to put into practice the acquired skills of the sport, and the players could enjoy an impressive day of golf, because not even the rain forecast to fall in the morning dared to make an appearance.
Along almost three kilometres of coastline, the only things the players could feel were the gentle Atlantic breeze and magnificent moments on the course. And, once again, the Villas&Golfe International Cup brought together many well-known faces, from politics to television, from fashion to industry. And, if the game was being fought on the course, on the balcony of the Clubhouse the competition was between sampling tasty delicacies; enjoying Vidago Villa wines – official launch at the event –, or settling down to a glass of champagne. There was no lack of reasons to stop there and mingle.
The event’s organizing team, together with Estela Golf Club, made sure all COVID-19 preventive measures were met. As a result, this year, lunch was split into guests and participants, since the event welcomed more than 100 people.
And among the guests of Villas&Golfe magazine was Education Minister Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, who did the honours of the house, handing over the men’s Nearest to the Pin prize to winner José Miguel Mendes Ribeiro. This was followed by ladies’ Nearest to the Pin prize, which went to Maria Adelaide Figueiredo, who was also the recipient of the Longest Drive prize. In the men’s event, it was Abílio Gonçalves who won this category. With regard to the Net event, the overall winner was António Pereira, with 41 points; followed by Sérgio Magalhães, with 40 points; and Orlando Silva, also with 40 points, ended in 3rd place. In the Gross event, first place, with 33 points, went to César Manuel Pinho Campos; second, also with 33 points, went to Abílio Gonçalves; and, in third, with 30 points, was Manuel Au-Yong Oliveira. In addition to the usual awards, this year, the organisers and the tournament’s official partner, Hyline, were also keen to present the winner of the Golf Clinic, Mário Meireles, with the putting prize – a golf watch handed over by Bruno Brás, founder of Hyline. But so many other prestigious brands were associated with this circuit, such as Samsung – which gave away two latest generation mobile phones [Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2] –, along with all the other brands, which, in one way or another, contributed to the success of this tournament.
And one thing is for sure: next year another tournament will be waiting. So... Until then, keep up your game!
