Santo Estevao Golf is to be found in untouched countryside in the Ribatejo region of Portugal, 30 minutes east of Lisbon’s international airport.
The latest of three 18-hole golf courses in the area (Riba Golf 1 and Riba Golf 2 are the others), it has established Santo Estevao as the country’s new golfing destination.
In full harmony with the natural environment, Santo Estevao Golf’s unique, typically Portuguese landscape of beautiful cork-oaks and wide open spaces bears testimony to the traditional cork harvesting and cattle rearing of the region.
Designed by the well known British Architect Donald Steel, Santo Estevao Golf follows the British School by taking advantage of the existing landscape and fully respecting the environment.
The result is a course which blends in with its natural environment, with the golden tones of the natural grasses retained in the rough areas enhanced by brightly coloured spring flowers. With carefully designed bunkers and greens, the 18-hole course offers a delightful challenge to all standards of golfer. The gently undulating land is ideal for golf and makes for an easy, pleasant walk throughout the course.
Conditions around the greens allow players to choose the best recovery shot, from low chip and runs to high pitches.
Notable holes are the 3rd with its drive over the first of the course’s two lakes; the 7th, where the second shot is over the second lake, and the 11th with an outstanding view of the resort’s large new lake.
