2021 Portugal Masters champion Thomas Pieters is set to be invited back to the Algarve by the Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection to reopen the Dom Pedro Laguna Course in summer 2022.
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Set to reopen in summer 2022, Pieters will hit a commemorative tee shot to mark the official unveiling of the course at a special ceremony before being invited to play and set a new course record on the newly elevated Dom Pedro Laguna.
Speaking after the conclusion of yet another fantastic Portugal Masters, the Champion of this year’s tournament, Thomas Pieters, said “I am really happy to have won my fifth European Tour title here on the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course. It was a long final day but felt amazing to hit some good shots coming down the stretch and make the winning putt on the 18th green. These are the moments that I play golf for.
The Dom Pedro Laguna Course is undergoing a requalification
The Dom Pedro Laguna Course is undergoing a requalification to improve its overall playability and environmental sustainability with key areas planned to be rejuvenated.
A new state-of-the-art irrigation system using recycled water from Vilamoura will be installed to help increase efficiency and reduce water consumption by up to 30%
Originally designed by American golf course architect, Joseph Lee, the headline upgrade will see a new state-of-the-art Rain Bird IC irrigation system installed on the Dom Pedro Laguna to increase coverage efficiency and reduce water consumption by up to 30%. The course is expected to be supplied with recycled water treated (ApR) from the Vilamoura Wastewater Treatment Plant upon its reopening.
Led by Rui Grave, the resort’s Head Greenkeeper, the bunkers will be restored with a fresh new layer of white sand to enhance their overall structure, with increased levels of solidity, texture, and compaction for a greater playing experience, whilst additional bunkers will be transformed into natural grassland areas.
First golf course in Portugal to use 100% Bermuda Grass
Modifications are due to make the Dom Pedro Laguna the first golf course in Portugal to use 100% Bermuda Grass across all of its greens, fairways, and tee boxes; rejuvenating them with improved aesthetics and increased water consumption proficiency, to provide optimal playing conditions all year round.
All tee boxes will also receive close attention, as they will be realigned and re-levelled to showcase a pristine flat finish that will allow the greenkeeping team to maintain the tees at a lower mowing height, improving the playing experience for all guests.
Finally, the requalification will look to increase animal integration across the course with an artificial island set to be formed in the lake between the fourth and fifth holes to allow birds and other species to create new nesting environments, expanding the existing biodiversity that already includes a colony of otters.
Commenting on the Dom Pedro Laguna Course renovations, Eng. Luis Correia da Silva, Chief Executive Officer at Dom Pedro Golf, said “Firstly, we would like to thank the European Tour for putting on another great tournament at Dom Pedro, as well as Thomas Pieters for his tremendous victory. We are proud to be the host venue for the Portugal Masters and as the current champion, we would be honoured to invite him back to the resort next summer to reopen our newly improved Dom Pedro Laguna Course.
Earlier this year, the resort was named ninth in Golf World’s ‘Top 100 Best Golf Resorts in Continental Europe’, as well as third in the ‘Top 25 Golf Resorts in Portugal’, confirming its position amongst Europe’s most premier golfing resorts.
The Dom Pedro Old Course, designed by the renowned Frank Pennick, was also recently placed 36th in the new ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Continental Europe’ 2022-23 list, in addition to fourth in the ‘Top 50 Best Golf Courses in Portugal’.