Vilamoura, Portugal 17 June 2025 – Four-time major champion Ernie Els believes that ‘destiny’ has played a part in bringing his prestigious golfing brand to Europe, as the Els Club Vilamoura edges ever closer to its grand summer opening.
The Algarve’s first private members club is set to open in the middle of July, with Els the mastermind behind the newly constructed, meticulously redesigned, updated version of the former DP World Tour renowned Victoria course. Els is leading the project alongside DETAILS, the sports and hospitality platform which oversees Vilamoura’s golf assets under the ownership of Arrow Global.
Els said: “It has been exciting for us to bring our design philosophy to Portugal, and it’s exactly how we envisaged it. It looks incredible.”
As to the new course, designed closely with leading architect and senior design associate Greg Letsche, Els said: “People might recognise the setting here, but they won’t recognise this golf course. It’s completely new. Greg and I decided very early on in the process that we were going to reverse the back nine routings and create some new holes… The feedback we’ve had has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Supporting a golf course of this rare-ified high calibre, a new elite practice area has also been created, where golfers will ready themselves for the awaiting challenge including what Els has described as one of the standout holes, the par-5 11th, which measures 560 yards from the tips.
“It looks incredible and strategically I’d say it’s got that perfect balance of risk-reward, with water down the left on your tee shot and a stream nestled against the right-hand side of the green complex. Wind also comes into play here. It’s a great hole.
“There are a lot of memorable holes that are going to make golfers want to come back again and again.”
However, Els believes in the importance of balance to a course: “You want golfers of all standards to enjoy a golf course. I like to give golfers the opportunity to put the ball in play, so the fairways are generous.
“The second shots, I like to start playing with you a bit, greens at angles and so forth. I like a certain style of bunker, so you’ll see that at Vilamoura. Golf course design is like your signature; it’s a personal thing.”
Els, who has drawn upon his 35 years of experience of different types of golf courses and every possible kind of landscape, said: “You develop almost a sixth sense for the little details, the shot values and design touches, which come together in your own designs.”
At a venue with a rich history of hosting Portugal Masters events, and former champions including the likes of Shane Lowry (2012) and Lee Westwood (2009), Els has always prioritized the qualities that make a championship golf course: “Most of the courses in our Ernie Els Design portfolio have hosted events; whether that’s on the PGA Tour, Asian Tour, DP World Tour, or Latin American Tour. We’re proud of that. We are confident The Els Club Vilamoura will follow suit.
“But this is also a golf course for its members and we’ve done everything possible to make sure it’s an incredible experience for them, too.”
For Els, this project extends beyond golf, with a familial affection for Vilamoura and the world of luxury lifestyle that it exudes.
“The whole family loves it here. When the kids were small, we would often come down to this area for summer holidays. We’d play some golf in the area, often at Vilamoura… The location is unbelievable, the people are great, very friendly, the food is great, the weather is great. I feel like I’m coming home! Anyone who visits here is going to experience world-class amenities literally every step of the way.”
The club will add to the portfolio of Els Club venues across the globe, in South Africa, Dubai, and Malaysia.
ARTICLE CREDIT; WEARE54
PICTURE CREDIT; JACOB SJOMAN
