Behind Every Trophy, a Team That Makes It Possible.
Every golf journey begins with trust. It’s the trust our clients place in us when choosing their next destination, course, or holiday. On 7 November 2026, at Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt, that trust was rewarded when Tee Times Golf Holidays was named Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator for the second consecutive year and Portugal’s Best Outbound Golf Tour Operator at the World Golf Awards. Two honours that mean even more because of the people behind them.
Our Founder and Director, Carlos Ferreira, travelled to Egypt to receive both awards, representing a company that has grown through relationships built over more than three decades. We are especially grateful to our clients, whose continued confidence, feedback and recommendations have helped us learn, improve and move forward year after year.
We also share this recognition with our partners and suppliers: golf courses, hotels, resorts and restaurants who work alongside us to create memorable experiences. Their commitment and cooperation have been essential to our journey since 1993.
And finally, to our team. Behind every booking, every itinerary and every satisfied traveller are people who care about what they do. There have been challenges, lessons learned and countless hours of work along the way.
These awards belong to all of us. Thank you to everyone who voted, trusted us, worked with us and helped us become better. We are proud of how far we have come, grateful for the journey, and motivated to keep improving together.
Golf Before Gala
The weekend began with arrivals on Thursday 5 November at The St. Regis New Capital, the official hotel, followed on Friday by the networking golf day on Madinaty’s Championship Course. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed it, Troon manages it, and in 2022 it hosted the Asian Tour’s first visit to Egypt. A ten o’clock shotgun start sent the whole field out at once, which is rather the point. (World Golf Awards)
Networking golf is a curious discipline. Business is discussed between shots, cards are swapped on the tee, and nobody admits to their real handicap. Carlos made good use of the day, sharing fairways with the people who run the courses and hotels our clients play and stay at. That evening the welcome reception and barbecue back at The St. Regis carried the conversation on, smart casual and in no hurry.
Talking shop at the networking golf day
Saturday morning brought the World Golf Awards Classic, again on the Championship Course, before coaches carried guests back to Madinaty in the evening for cocktails at seven and the gala dinner and ceremony at eight. The dress code asked for suits, jackets and cocktail dresses. Shorts, as predicted, did not make the cut. (World Golf Awards)
Chris Frost, Managing Director of World Golf Awards, called the first African edition “a landmark moment for us”. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Robert Trent Jones Jr., whose designs span more than 300 courses in over 50 countries, including the one the guests had been playing all weekend. There are worse ways to honour an architect than handing him a trophy on his own course. (Golf Business News; Breaking Travel News)
The class of 2026
A Big Night for Portugal
Portugal was named World’s Best Golf Destination again, and Portuguese names kept appearing on the big screen all evening. The Silver Coast took World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination, Terras da Comporta won World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility and Quinta do Lago was named World’s Best Golf Academy Venue. Madeira claimed two world titles of its own: Santo da Serra for the best par 3 hole and Palheiro for the best panoramic clubhouse. (World Golf Awards)
At European level, the Old Course Vilamoura was named Europe’s Best Golf Course, which pleases us more than most, since it sits on our doorstep. Palmares won Europe’s Best Golf Clubhouse, PGA Aroeira the eco-friendly title and Quinta do Lago Europe’s Best Golf Venue. At home, Monte Rei was named Portugal’s Best Golf Course and Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel.
Play the Winners
Trophies look fine on a shelf, but they look better as a fixture list. An Algarve golf holiday can take in the Old Course, Quinta do Lago and Monte Rei in a single week, while the Silver Coast pairs Praia D’El Rey with Royal Óbidos and West Cliffs, about an hour north of Lisbon. On Madeira, Santo da Serra and Palheiro come with Funchal’s restaurants in between.
Our team has been booking these courses for more than three decades and knows which tee time suits which flight, which hotel suits which group, and where to eat on the night off. Tell us how you like to play, and we will put the winners together for you.
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Browse our Portugal golf holidays and let Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator — two years running — take care of the details.
COVER PIC; Carlos Ferreira on stage at the World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony, Madinaty Golf Club.