Palheiro Golf is ready to embark on a new chapter in its burgeoning history after announcing a major new seven-figure investment in its golf, hotel and lifestyle facilities.

Already regarded as one of Europe’s elite golf resorts, the leading venue in Madeira is taking its golfing experience to new heights in the next 12 months with a series of upgrades – including launching a new golf academy.

A 10-minute drive from the island’s capital, Funchal, and nearly 1,640ft above sea level, Palheiro Golf enjoys dramatic views of Madeira’s mountainous skyline and the ocean, while its par-72, 6,656-yard (6,086m) course was designed by renowned golf architect Cabell Robinson and is situated within the magnificent Palheiro Nature Estate, which is more than 200 years old.

At the centre of Palheiro’s latest investment plans is to open a golf academy in 2023. Offering stunning views over the Atlantic, the practice facility will feature 28 bays and a fitting centre as an all-weather space fitted with the latest ball-tracking technology.

Enhancing the golfing experience will be the resort’s redesigned golf clubhouse, with acclaimed local architects Intemporaneo having been appointed to give the building a contemporary new look. As well as modernising the interior, the veranda will also receive an upgrade, while a newly installed webcam will mean its panoramic views over Funchal Bay can be enjoyed from anywhere in the world.

Palheiro is also making a number of improvements to its renowned Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro, including carrying out an upgrade of the main house rooms and bathrooms.

New head chef Gonçalo Bita Bota has been brought in to create an exciting range of new menus and flavours throughout the resort’s three dining areas, while the chapel in the world-famous Palheiro Gardens is being painted and renovated ahead of the summer wedding and christening season.

Jonathan Fletcher, president of Palheiro Nature Estate, said: “Palheiro Nature Estate is a resort that is synonymous with quality and is renowned for the experience that we provide, both in Madeira and beyond.

“We are extremely proud of the reputation that we have built, and this latest program of investment will allow us to continue to move forward and evolve so that we maintain our position at the forefront of golf and hospitality on the islands.”

Palheiro Golf is one of three first-class golf courses in Madeira – alongside Clube de Golfe Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe – with the Portuguese archipelago also featuring an array of outstanding historic, cultural and lifestyle experiences.

Named as the world and Europe’s leading island destination at the 2021 World Travel Awards and located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland – and just 500km from the African continent – the island destination enjoys an amazingly mild climate, ranging from 25°c in the summer to 17°c in the winter, with very mild average temperatures and moderate humidity, making it the perfect year-round location for a golf break.

The best way to enjoy the island’s golf is with a Madeira Golf Passport which, providing holders with an unrivalled golf experience, is available to both individuals and groups and can be booked on a three or five-round basis.

For more details on the Palheiro Nature Estate, please visit www.palheironatureestate.com
For further information on Madeira, go to www.madeiraallyear.com

ENDS

About Madeira. Belongs to all

• Madeira. Belongs to all is the consumer-facing brand of the Madeira Promotion Bureau, which aims to promote Madeira as a tourist destination to consumers and the travel trade.
• Madeira, otherwise known as ‘the islands of eternal spring’, is just a short, three-and-a-half-hour flight from London. It covers 740km2 and has a population of only 260,000. On the same latitude as Morocco, the Atlantic archipelago has a sub-tropical climate, a rich volcanic soil and a unique eco-system. It is one of the only places in the planet where banana trees grow next to vineyards.
• Located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland – and just 500km from the African continent – Madeira enjoys an amazingly mild climate, ranging from 25°c in the summer to 17°c in the winter, with very mild average temperatures and moderate humidity.
• In 1999 the archipelago was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and five areas have been declared nature reserves. The Madeira Nature Reserve covers a substantial two-thirds of the main island, where development is prohibited.
• The Madeira Golf Passport costs €360 and offers five rounds of golf at either Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf. Plus, the courses will supply free transfers to and from the hotel.
• For high-resolution imagery, please visit bit.ly/AZ_Madeira
• For more information on Madeira visit www.madeiraallyear.com

For media enquiries, please contact Pete Simm on +44 (0)1730 711920 or email petes@theazaleagroup.com