Thursday, September 10, 2020: The Algarve – one of Europe’s finest golf holiday destinations – is celebrating the hosting of the first pro-am on the European Tour since the full resumption of the 2020 Race to Dubai, after a controlled pilot event took place at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, yesterday/Wednesday/September 9.
With a reduced field of 48 amateurs across 24 teams consisting of two amateurs and one professional, the European Tour has worked closely with partners Turismo de Portugal to trial the return of the popular Wednesday pro-am concept.
As the medical strategy continues to evolve based on government and public health guidelines, a new inner and outer “tournament bubble” concept paved the way for the pro-am trial, with testing controlled by European Tour partner Cignpost, in partnership with Algarve Biomedical Centre.
The Algarve Biomedical Centre tested every amateur on Tuesday afternoon, with test results confirmed back before one o’clock the following morning. All tests were negative allowing the full provisional field to compete.
A spokesperson for Algarve Tourism said: “Thanks to the hard work and trust of the European Tour to launch the pilot here in the Algarve, and to Cignpost and Algarve Biomedical Centre for their outstanding work.
“We are delighted that all guests looking forward to the Portugal Masters pro-am were tested, returned negative results and were able to enjoy the event.
“We are confident that the Algarve remains a very safe destination for visiting golf tourists and we are busy rolling out the green carpet for our supporters from across the continent.”
While the event will be played behind closed doors as part of the European Tour’s medical strategy, a host of stars including Ryder Cup star and world number 16 Tommy Fleetwood, defending champion Steven Brown, former winners Lucas Bjerregaard and Alex Levy, along with local favourite Ricardo Gouveia, will tee it up at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.
ENDS
Press release written and distributed on behalf of ATA by the Azalea Group. For information or images of golf on the Algarve, please contact Sean Noble on 01730 711920 or email sean@theazaleagroup.com.
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About the Algarve, the world’s number one golf destination
It’s hard to imagine the Algarve without thinking of golf, yet golf wasn’t born on this sunshine coastal area until 1966, when Henry Cotton first laid out the Championship course at Penina.
Fast-forward half a century and our alluring region has not only become one of Europe’s premier holiday spots, but also an award-winning golf destination.
With a staggering 43 nine or 18-hole layouts that can be played all-year-round, it’s no wonder the Algarve draws hundreds of thousands of golfers to its fairways each year.
The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, and more than half of its courses decorate the 150-mile coastline, which also boasts spectacular beaches, picturesque rocky coves, quaint fishing villages and a rich cultural heritage.
The Algarve is the perfect destination golfers of all ages and abilities, with something to suit every taste and budget.
www.visitgolfalgarve.com
The Algarve Tourism Bureau (Associação Turismo do Algarve - ATA) is the only Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) appointed by the Portuguese National Tourism Board, responsible for defining strategies and to promote the Algarve region and its touristic products abroad. ATA is a non-profitable association, a joint venture between the public and private.