DETAILS and its commitment to elevating the golfing landscape across Portugal has earned the management company seven nominations at the prestigious World Golf Awards, including the coveted Golf Business of the Year title. Several of its managed assets have also secured spots on other notable shortlists, highlighting the group’s broad industry impact.
Nominations include The World’s Best New Golf Course for the new Els Club Vilamoura, which is set to open this summer as the first private members’ club in the Algarve. The historic Old Course maintains its position among Portugal’s elite after receiving recognition for Portugal’s Best Golf Course while Vilamoura itself is up for the World’s Best Golf Venue.
The PGA Aroeira Lisboa has received acclaim for the World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility, and Palmares for Europe’s Best Golf Clubhouse. Hilton Vilamoura, at the heart of the courses recently rebranded as Vilamoura Golf, has also been nominated for Europe’s Best Golf Hotel.
Nuno Sepulveda, Co-CEO of DETAILS, said: “We are proud to see the hard work of every individual who has contributed to our projects recognised by the WGA.
“For us, this is just the beginning of our plan to reshape the narrative and position Portugal as one of the premium global golf destinations.”
DETAILS – owned by Arrow Global – has led the resurgence of the former Dom Pedro golf courses, Millenium, Laguna, Pinhal, and Old Course, under the eye-catching Vilamoura Golf canopy.
Since being managed by DETAILS, the prestigious Old Course, the second oldest in the Algarve, has received innovative clubhouse renovations ranging from the introduction of gastropub-style dining to food stations before and after rounds of golf, as well as featuring boutique high-end premium brands.
With practice areas enhanced thanks to recently installed trackman technology for the driving range, the course itself is set among glorious pine trees and meticulously kept terrain. Having received GEO certification, sustainable methods such as efficient reduction of water consumption through the use of warm season grass and Bermuda grass on tee boxes, ensure the prioritisation of the environment matches the course’s luxury feel.
The WGA’s recognition signifies the attention to detail which reinforces the Old Course’s status as one of Portugal’s most sought-after venues.
The Els Club Vilamoura, a separate entity from the other four courses, completes the Vilamoura Golf portfolio. Set to open next month to a select group of founder members, it will mark the first appearance of four-time major champion Ernie Els’ prestigious brand in Europe, with the South African also the mastermind behind the redesigned Victoria Course that was previously home to the Portugal Masters.
Overseen by DETAILS, the project promises to introduce a new standard of golf to the region, forming part of Vilamoura’s luxury offering spanning from golf courses to an equestrian centre and residential development. The club’s WGA nomination adds to the growing excitement and expectation surrounding the opening.
The acknowledgement of Vilamoura for the World’s Best Golf Venue category caps off the remarkable sweep of nominations for an area that’s also known for its high-class marina, and rich history, culture, and gastronomy. Located next to the pristine Algarve coast, the area is also 25 minutes away from Faro Airport, which has connections to over 90 airports worldwide.
Additionally, PGA Aroeira Lisboa, Portugal’s only PGA national venue, receiving a nomination for World’s Best Eco-Friendly Facility adds to the plethora of proactivity shown by DETAILS in repositioning the golf destination globally.
The historic PGA Aroeira no. 1 course, originally designed by Frank Pennink, underwent a full renovation in 2024, while PGA Aroeira no. 2, a Donald Steel course, has planned renovations.
Coinciding with on-course upgrades was the announcement of a partnership with world renowned Italian fashion house Missoni to launch Aroeira Collections by Missioni, to carry out an exclusive residential and tourist project set to be completed by 2027. At the heart of the project will be an Aroeira Collections Hotel located between the two courses, and there are further plans in place for a new clubhouse.
Up for Europe’s Best Clubhouse is Palmares; the venue’s fine dining restaurant, Al Sud, has retained its Michelin Star status that it achieved six months after opening in 2021, and represents the versatility of the clubhouse’s offering beyond golf. The component anchors a broader offering including golf, wellness, and luxury living.
Predicted to be completed in 2027, the resort will also boast Portugal’s first JW Marriott Hotel, including 172 rooms as well as 133 branded residences, offering an enhanced standard of living for visitors looking to enjoy a combination of world class golf and premium accommodation. The project will complement the 5-star boutique Palmares Beach House Hotel and the existing offering of RCR designed apartments.
DETAILS’ nomination as Golf Business of the Year encompasses the success of the management behind the vast number of different projects at the companies’ disposal, and the attention-to-detail included within every component.
With a 360-degree approach that combines asset management, operations, and marketing, the commitment is centred around the desire to deliver world-class guest experiences through sports and leisure assets that will help to redefine the future of Portugal’s luxury tourism and lifestyle sector.
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