Madeira has two new golf courses planned

Two new golf courses are planned on the Portuguese island of Madeira, bringing the total number of courses on the island to four.   Madeira has the perfect climate for golf with warm weather throughout the year and minimal rainfall.   Nick Faldo, golfing legend and former Ryder cup captain, is designing the two new courses. The first will be a challenging 18-hole signature championship course and the second will be an 18-hole park course spanning 5,878 metres.   Located in the Ponta do Pargo region on the western tip of Madeira, the courses will include a golf academy training facility for players of all ages, and are expected to be completed by 2011.   Seve Ballesteros has already created an 18-hole course on nearby Porto Santo Island, just two hours ferry ride from Madeira or a short 15 minute flight, and it is rumoured that he will design a further 18-hole golf course in the Sao Vicente municipal area of Madeira, although this is yet to be confirmed.   The current two golf courses are a Robert Trent Jones Senior designed 27-hole course at Santo da Serra and Palheiro Golf’s 18-hole course designed by Cabell Robinson, which also has a 6-hole golf academy.   Azulara, a newly launched property development, presents the perfect opportunity to capitalise on the island’s increased investment in golf as it is centrally located in the capital of Funchal and all four golf courses are within a 30 minute drive.   The Azulara concierges will be able to arrange tee times at all of Madeira’s golf courses.   Bernard Hornung, Azulara Sales Manager, says, “Madeira is the perfect European golf destination with an enviable year round average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius.   “Low rainfall on the courses makes for enjoyable playing conditions, while ‘levada’ irrigation channels carry rain from the island’s interior, maintaining the greens and fairways in optimum condition for play.   “Acute water shortages in many popular golf destinations highlight the benefits of locations like Madeira, where the natural micro-climate ensures a continual and abundant water supply.”   Madeira has attracted Europe’s elite for more than 200 years and offers a range of other leisure activities including some of the best game fishing in the world, miles of levada walks and sailing.   Around one million people visited Madeira in 2007, but an increase in the number of airlines flying to Funchal means tourism numbers are on the rise.   Apartments at Azulara start from €281,500 (UK£246,950) for a one-bedroom property. Villa prices start at €589,000 (UK£516,705) for a three-bedroom townhouse.   Euro mortgages are available at Azulara for up to 85% LTV, interest only for the first five years, with rates from 0.6% over Euribor with no brokerage fees nor life insurance required.   For more information, please contact Bernard Hornung at Azulara on +351 291 771 254 or visit azulara.com

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