It will open in the summer of 2025 and will be the first private golf club in the Algarve
The four-time Major winner and former world number one, Ernie Els, is collaborating with Arrow Global to create the Els Club Vilamoura, the first Els Club in Europe and the first private golf club in the Algarve. The club brand bearing the name of the “Big Easy” has become synonymous with excellence, with its blue and gold emblem ensuring world-class facilities and services for golfers around the globe. Els Club Vilamoura will also have the distinction of being the first private golf club in the Algarve, setting a new standard for exclusive and privileged access when it opens to a select group of Founding Members in the summer of 2025.
“This project is really special. When my children were young, we lived in England and came to this region for our summer holidays. We played golf at the Vilamoura courses. So, when this opportunity arose, through DETAILS, one of the leading leisure and hospitality operators in Portugal, it made perfect sense to me. Every time I come here, I feel like I’m coming home,” says Ernie Els, who has already opened four exclusive Els Clubs worldwide, adding that he is thrilled to finally bring the luxury concept to Europe. “We’ve kept this project a secret because we know how important this property is in the eyes of the golfing public, and we wanted to get the design right. I loved the challenge of creating something exceptional in this part of the world – and I can’t wait for people to see it.”
Els and his award-winning design team have already made significant progress, having started work earlier this year on the former site of the Victoria Course in Vilamoura, which hosted the Portugal Masters. Nuno Sepúlveda, Co-CEO of DETAILS, believes that “it is a true honor and privilege to work with Ernie Els on this extraordinary private club, which will offer members a level of service and privacy that has previously been unattainable in the Algarve. The Els Club Vilamoura will reflect his passion and commitment to excellence in everything we do.”
“Whenever we have the opportunity to work with a group like Arrow Global, with a clear vision and mission, it allows us to focus our creative efforts on how to design a product and experience that will stand the test of time. The Algarve, and particularly Vilamoura, are extraordinary destinations, and seeing the Els Club proposal take its first steps in this market is a milestone and a great source of pride,” explains Els.
“When we design a golf course, we always focus on what makes it a ‘championship’ course.” Fortunately, most of our courses have already hosted events, whether on the Asian Tour, DP World Tour, or Latin American Tour. This one will be no different, offering an exclusive and personalized experience for all members,” he adds.
Els, who has led renovations and new designs at some of the best courses in the world, including the West Course at Wentworth, host of the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour, has worked closely with DETAILS, the manager of Arrow Global Portugal, which oversees sports and hospitality assets in Portugal, including golf courses and hotels in Vilamoura. The Els Club Vilamoura is an important asset in Vilamoura, owned by funds managed by Arrow Global. Together with the equestrian center, golf courses, hotels, and new residential developments, it plays a key role in creating a multifunctional resort that mitigates the effects of seasonality, attracts a diverse clientele, and delivers long-term value.
For more information about the Els Club Vilamoura, visit www.elsclubvilamoura.com.
