Clube de Golf Santo de Serra, Madeira, Portugal
Year Opened: 1991
Society Delegate: João Goes
Website: santodaserragolf.com

In 1991 Clube de Golf Santo da Serra was thoroughly redesigned by the famous golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. who created a scenic 27-hole designed layout set 660 meters above sea level with stunning views of the coastline facing the other islands of the archipelago as well as the navy-blue Atlantic Ocean.

In 1993 the first Madeira Island Open took place at CGSS, won by Mark James. Since then, CGSS was a regular port of call for the European Tour with 20 venues, until 2015. Golf stars including many Ryder Cup players and major winners have testified to the challenge of CGSS: Former U.S Amateur Champion Peter Uihlein, World Golf Hall of Fame member Seve Ballesteros, along with Graeme Mcdowell, Louis Oosthuizen, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Paul Lawrie, Martin Kaymer and the past world no. 1 Brooks Koepka.

Three distinct 9 holes are: Machico (overlooking the town where the first Portuguese sailors disembarked), Desertas (facing the natural reserve deserted islands) & Serras (set below the North Mountains). The 18-hole Championship course combines Machico & Desertas, along with 9-hole Parkland course (Serras).

General playability can be tricky judging the distance because of the altitude changes and wind conditions. Players must navigate Jones’ challenging terrain, ample contoured fairways, undulating fast greens and strategic bunkers.

Signature holes include the par 5 third hole Machico, a dogleg left along a deep valley, where a well-placed tee shot close to the edge of the valley  set up a long risk-reward second shot to a well protected green.

The next hole, #4 is a ‘dangerous’ par 3 where the rim of the green is guarded by bunkers that can stop the golf ball from falling down the mountain valley.