Located an hour’s drive north of Lisbon on
Portugal’s spectacular Silver Coast, West Cliffs is a Cynthia Dye design that
first opened its doors to the golfing public in the summer of 2017.
Offering sweeping views of the Atlantic,
Berlengas Islands and Óbidos Lagoon, this dramatic seaside layout has been laid
out within a massive 200-hectare property consisting of rolling sand dunes and
coastal vegetation.
Dye and her construction team worked
closely with local government agencies to ensure minimum disruption to the
environment, creating a well-balanced and sustainable links in a highly
attractive location where it fits seamlessly into its natural surroundings.
The architect, niece of legendary golf
architect Pete Dye, said: “With the Atlantic visible from every hole, West
Cliffs is the most natural golf course site imaginable. One of the most
impressive characteristics of the course is just how anchored it is to the
native coastal environment.”
“The terrain at West Cliffs is amazing. On
the vast majority of the holes, it was only necessary to site the green
complexes with a bit of shaping and then define the limits of grassing. For the
most part, the course was already there waiting for us.”
The course sits in the heart of a new resort,
which in time will offer residential opportunities and a future 5-star hotel.
It’s currently managed by
Praia D’El Rey which lies close to the West Cliffs
site.
Measuring 6,382 metres from the back tees, the course plays to a par of 72. Greens are carpeted with 100% Pinehurst bentgrass, the fairways are a mix of Perrenial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass and Creeping Red Fescue whilst the rough contains a blend of different fescue grasses.
Configured as two returning 9-hole circuits, the layout features a fabulous set of par threes at holes 2,
5, 12 and 16. Back-to-back par fives at the 6th and 7th form the backbone of
the front nine, with a pair of demanding par fours concluding the round at
holes 17 and 18.
West Cliffs is set to become Cynthia Dye’s global masterpiece