Morgado Golf Resort to host Open de Portugal 2017

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Morgado Golf Resort hosts the return of the historic Open de Portugal 2017.After 7 years of absence, the Open de Portugal returns in 2017 to the calendar of the European Tour, the first division of European professional golf and to the Challenge Tour. The historic tournament will be played at Morgado Golf Resort, in Portimão, between 11 and 14 May, with the organisation of the NAU Hotels & Resorts, the Portuguese Golf Federation (FPG) and the Association of Golf Professionals of Portugal (PGA Portugal), in partnership with the European Tour and Challenge Tour.
Open de Portugal @ Morgado Golf Resort marks the return to the Algarve of a competition that visited this region for the last time in 2006. In this 55th edition of its history, the tournament will be conducted in a dual ranking format, simultaneously counting for the Race to Dubai (the European Tour ranking) and for the Race to Oman (Challenge Tour ranking), and also attributing points for the World Ranking and for the European ranking of the Ryder Cup.
This will be the only tournament of the Challenge Tour in 2017 with the category of “Major”, in which the champion is immediately promoted, by offering one year of exemption in the principal circuit.
In addition to the sports relevance of this great event, we also highlight the impact that holding the Open de Portugal at Morgado Golf Resort will have in terms of national and regional tourism.
Mário Azevedo Ferreira, CEO of NAU Hotels & Resorts, notes that *“the fact that the Open de Portugal returns in 2017, this time at Morgado Golf Resort, will decisively contribute to the image of Portugal and the Algarve as preferred destinations for playing golf, placing Morgado Golf Resort and Portimão on the map of the major international events of this sport”,* and stresses that *“at this level, it is also with great sense of satisfaction and pride that NAU Hotels & Resorts has the privilege to organise this event with FPG and PGA Portugal. This the recognition of the work that we have been developing over these last few years to position the golf courses and hotels of the NAU Hotels & Resorts in the national and international panorama of amateur and professional golf, with an offer of excellence of facilities and services. NAU Hotels & Resorts offer 8 hotels and 3 golf courses in the Algarve, which are well known to all.”*
The European Tour began in 1972, at that time the Open de Portugal already existed and was one of the founding events of the European first division.
**The golf courses of NAU Hotels & Resorts**

The NAU Hotels & Resorts Group has three golf courses in the Algarve, integrated in resorts and supported by four and five-star hotels which offer unique accommodation and leisure conditions, including a personalised service for golf players and those accompanying them.
Situated in a valley in the interior of the Algarve, between Portimão and Monchique, Morgado Golf Resort has two golf courses: Morgado and Álamos. Morgado Golf course is a challenge both for those taking their first steps in golf and for players with a lower handicap seeking to test their technique. With flat fairways and bunkers of Scottish inspiration, this course is placed in a parkland area which also has excellent conditions for practising and a Golf Academy for the improvement of golfing skills.
At the same Resort, Álamos Golf course constitutes an impressive golf test. Although the length of the round is relatively short, the expectations of a more experienced golf player will certainly be surpassed. A pleasant surprise added to the lesser known landscape of this Algarvian region. This course has a view of the Hills of Monchique and is surrounded by lakes and farmland.
Salgados Golf Course, the only 18 hole course in the area of Albufeira, represents a true challenge to the technique and precision of a typical round of links courses. The yellow tees offer a unique game to all players. The more challenging white tees are advisable for players with just a one-digit handicap or for professionals.
For further information, visit the website https://www.nauhotels.com