The event, often likened to golf’s version of the UEFA Champions League, will now take place at the Lisbon resort from October 20-22.
It is the second occasion this year that the Portuguese Golf Federation (PGF) has hosted an event at the last minute, with the European Golf Association’s (EGA) Michael Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy competition switched to Portugal, in March, from its original destination of Turkey.
Miguel Franco de Sousa, general secretary of the FPG, explained: “These situations arise as a result of the very close relationship that FPG has with all the bodies governing international golf, and not just the EGA. We are partners of these associations, not merely funded by them for our golf development projects.”
Having been contacted only in September, the FPG’s first decision was to locate a suitable venue which could cope with such an event at short notice. It did not take long to decide on Aroeira, which has already proven itself to be capable of holding such a competition on numerous previous occasions.
The FPG’s director/national coach, John Coutinho, added: “Foreign clubs prefer to be close to Lisbon because it is the Portuguese airport with most international connections. On the other hand, for us, it was of huge benefit that Aroeira hosted the event only in 2013, so it is well aware of what is required. And people who competed in 2013 spoke very highly of the venue and its organisation.”
In all, 22 countries will send three-man teams, with Hayling GC, from Hampshire, representing England, and Radyr carrying the hopes of the Welsh. Neither Scotland nor Ireland is in a position to name their competing clubs yet.
The event is a strokeplay competition, with 18 holes each day and with the two best rounds from each team counting over a 54-hole competition.
They will compete against clubs from the Netherlands; Iceland; Slovakia; Germany; France; Spain; Croatia; Estonia; Italy; Portugal; Denmark; Czech Republic; Luxemburg; Russian Federation; Switzerland; Austria; Finland; and the Ukraine.
Aroeira was recently included in Golf World magazine’s inaugural list of the ‘Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe 2017’. Fresh from the magazine including Aroeira in its benchmark ‘Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe’ rankings last year, the famous Portuguese venue has won new acclaim after being rated 97th in the new poll.