The Dunas course at Terras da Comporta in Portugal is on track to open this summer. The layout is David McLay-Kidd’s first design in mainland Europe.

The links-style course is an hour’s drive south of Lisbon and has been built over 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain.

The development was first launched in 2010 by Espirito Santo but delayed by several years following the collapse of Banco Espirito Santo in 2014. Following the purchase by Portuguese real estate developer Vanguard Properties, construction recommenced in 2019.

Read more from the April 2021 issue of GCA: Comporta Dunes: Back from the dead

Kidd has designed the par-71 course, which plays 6,555 yards from the back, to be demanding and fun. “It’s pretty challenging but is forgiving if you get into trouble,” he said. “You’ve got a chance to get back into the game, and how could you ever complain about the amazing weather in Portugal together with the beaches, cafes, food and people. It’s all beautiful and I would encourage anyone to come and visit.”

Rodrigo Ulrich, director of golf at Terras da Comporta, said: “David McLay-Kidd has done an amazing job designing a world-class course on the most spectacular piece of golfing terrain I’ve ever seen.”

Terras da Comporta is also planning a second eighteen-hole course, Torre, which will be a collaboration between Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia.