A charity golf tournament in aid of victims of the recent floods in Madeira was held at the Palheiro Golf course on 6 March 2010.

The event was organised by the Palheiro Estate holding company, Palheiro Estate SGPS SA, with all proceeds going to the Cruz Vermelha (Red Cross).
The tournament was held in good weather and was very well supported, with approximately 100 players taking part. The format for the golf was Texas Scramble, with players in teams of two.

The winning team were Jonathan Fletcher & Michael Blandy, with 61 net; followed by John Holt & Peter Jacques, 66 net; and Peter Booth & Philippe Moreau, also with 66 net.

The prize for the “longest drive” was won by Jonathan Fletcher, with Rubina Laranja winning the “closest to the hole” competition.
After the tournament, the players assembled in the Clubhouse for a buffet lunch, followed by the prize giving ceremony. The prizes were given out by Patrícia Rodrigues of Palheiro Golf and Edgar Rodrigues, the Palheiro Golf Professional.
The original announcement of the charity event had brought a surge of support from all those associated with the Palheiro Estate – both companies and private individuals. This support not only took the form of turning up on the day to be part of the event, but also the donation of a large number of tombola prizes and items to be auctioned. The items donated included works of art; a cruise; various holidays – an array of valuables which gave an indication of the degree of support this worthwhile cause has attracted.

The “Palheiro Estate for Madeira” event ended with the announcement that approximately €9000 had been raised, all of which is destined to help the victims of the flooding which struck the island on 20 February 2010.

The “Palheiro Estate for Madeira” appeal continues until the end of March, at which time all funds collected will be handed over to Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa da Madeira.

Donations can be made to the following account:

• Account nº: 000836892624

• NIB: 0007 0000 0083 6892 62423

• IBAN: PT50 0007 0000 0083 6892 6242 3

No domingo passado realizou-se, no Palheiro Golfe, a final do Circuito Júnior Madeira 2009, intitulado Torneio “Tiger Woods”, que contou com a participação de cerca de 80 jovens (dos 5 aos 16 anos) de ambos os Clubes: Palheiro Golfe e Santo da Serra.
Este circuito foi composto por 4 torneios, sendo que cada torneio foi por sua vez dividido em 4 categorias conforme a idade e a capacidade de jogo de cada jovem (Categoria de 18 buracos;9 buracos;3 buracos e Chip & Putt).

Este Circuito teve como finalidade promover esta modalidade junto dos jovens e pais, proporcionando um ambiente amigável, divertido, mas também competitivo.

Após a competição, foi oferecido um lanche aos participantes, procedendo-se   à entrega de prémios. Cada jovem recebeu uma medalha de participação.

Os vencedores nas várias categorias foram os seguintes:

Na categoria de 18 buracos, o vencedor foi Robert Jesus (PG), seguindo-se de Manuel João Sousa (CGSS) e André Bento (CGSS) ficou em 3º lugar.
Na categoria de 9 buracos, em 1º lugar ficou Declan Hobley (PG), seguindo-se de Carlos Laranja (CGSS) e Bernardo Costa Silva (CGSS).
Na categoria de 3 buracos, em 1º lugar ficou Cristóvão Gouveia (CGSS), seguindo-se de Diogo Fernandes (CGSS) e Nancy Jocanovic (CGSS).
No Chip & Putt, João Diogo Antunes (CGSS) foi o vencedor, seguindo-se de Natacha Sofia (CGSS) e Bianca Capelinha (PG).

Academia de Formação Palheiro Golfe - 2º Torneio
No Passado Sábado dia 12 de Dezembro realizou-se no Palheiro Golfe o 2º Torneio da época para a Academia de Formação Palheiro Golfe, que contou com a presença de 33 jovens.
A competição realizou-se em 3 diferentes módulos, 5 situações de chip e putt para os mais jovens e iniciados na modalidade; 6 buracos, onde os jovens com nível médio tiveram a oportunidade de jogar o percurso da academia na totalidade; e, finalmente os jovens com nível técnico mais avançado jogaram 9 buracos.

Os resultados ficaram ordenados da seguinte forma: Chip e putt  1º Joaquim Gouveia (13),  2º Maria Marta Domingues (15), 3º Madalena Veltman (16). Na competição dos 6 Buracos a classificação ficou ordenada da seguinte forma: 1º Pedro Camacho (29), 2º Leonel Pereira (36), 3º   Gustavo Gouveia (37). A competição dos 9 buracos ficou marcada pela ausência do líder após a primeira prova, pois, infelizmente, Robert Jesus viu-se impossibilitado de jogar o torneio por problemas físicos. João Pedro Mendonça ganhou esta competição com 42 pancadas, seguido de Catarina Spínola (51) e e de Gonçalo Araújo (57).
Na Modalidade de 6 buracos foi introduzida uma dificuldade acrescida onde todos os participantes nesta competição tiveram como tarefa marcar o cartão de outro colega, tal como numa situação real de competição para jogadores experientes. Esta iniciativa visa a preparação dos jovens para outras metas.
Como brinde de Natal todos os jovens que participaram no torneio receberam um pólo com o logótipo do clube. Os treinos e a competição regressam para o próximo ano. Parabéns a todos os participantes, pelo empenho e pela forma que se apresentam no torneio, mas, principalmente, pelo comportamento, que foi exemplar. Estes jovens dignificaram o Palheiro Golfe, a modalidade, e a si próprios.
Resultado do Campeonato após a segunda prova:
9 Buracos        Total
•    João Pedro Mendonça    180 pontos
•    Catarina Spínola        120
•    Robert Jesus        100
•    Jessica Otto        100
•    Pedro Moreira        80
•    Mariana Biscoito        70
6 Buracos                     Total
•    Leonel Pereira            180
•    Pedro Camacho            150
•    Gustavo Gouveia            140
•    Nuno Camacho            110
•    Marta Freitas            70
•    Bianca Capelinha            50
Chip e putt            Total
•    Joaquim Gouveia            180
•    Marta Domingues            140
•    Madalena Teixeira        100
•    Oliver Gouveia            80
•    Madalena Veltman        60
•    Francisco Rodrigues        50

Palheiro, the Cabell Robinson designed, 18 hole par 72 golf course, which opened in 1993 and was imaginatively redesigned in 2003, has made Golf World’s 2009 list of Europe’s top 100 golf courses.

The recently released Golf World list was meticulously compiled by a panel of expert Tour pros to provide the definitive guide to the best courses in Europe.

In compiling this chart, Golf World spoke to golfing experts, architects, golf writers and bloggers, golf tourists and players from each of the countries in the European Tour. Each person was asked to rank their top European courses by design, condition, history and reputation.

Jonathan Fletcher, director of Palheiro Estate, comments: “We are, of course, delighted that Palheiro has been recognised as one of Europe’s Top 100 Golf Courses.   We’ve been working hard to develop our offering and clearly that work is being recognised, which is great encouragement for the entire team.”

The Palheiro course, 500 meters above sea level, winds around the renowned Palheiro estate, with breathtaking views; fast, undulating greens; well placed bunkers and tight fairways.  The stylish clubhouse, offers dramatic, panoramic views across Funchal harbour and the Atlantic Ocean.

Palheiro provides the perfect base for exploring the delights of Madeira. Visitors have the choice of staying in the estate’s graceful 5-star country house hotel, Casa Velha do Palheiro, or enjoying a more independent stay in one of the Palheiro Village villas or apartments which overlook Funchal.

Both long and short stays are possible.  Fully furnished villas are available to rent, providing the perfect family holiday for all ages. Property is also available on either a freehold or fractional basis.

For more information, please contact Palheiro Village on + 351 291 794 015 or visit:   HYPERLINK www.palheiroestate.com

A Sociedade Turística Palheiro Golfe, S.A., foi distinguida, pela qualidade do seu desempenho e perfil de risco, como PME Excelência, no âmbito do programa FINCRESCE, da responsabilidade do Turismo de Portugal, IP, organismo pertencente ao Ministério da Economia e da Inovação.

A distinção PME Excelência, um estatuto criado para sinalizar as empresas nacionais com melhores desempenhos económicofinanceiros, pretende funcionar como marca de qualidade no relacionamento das empresas com o mercado.

Setembro 2009

In May 2009 a new section of Madeira’s Palheiro Estate complex was opened, Palheiro Spa, which joins Palheiro Gardens, Palheiro Golf and the Inn Casa Velha do Palheiro.

The new Spa was designed by the architect Bruno Martins aiming a blend with the surrounding area. There are four treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam bath, two pools (one indoor and another outdoor), and a fitness room available to the customers. The massage menu made up of organic natural products, also directed to golfers, and non invasive body and facial treatments are also available.

Set high in the hills overlooking Funchal, Casa Velha is a five-star country house hotel with a history stretching back more than 200 years. Facilities include 37 rooms, an outdoor pool area with sauna and steam bath, tennis, croquet and a private yacht for deep-sea fishing and/or dolphin- and whale-watching. http://www.casa-velha.com

Article from InsidePortugalTravel.com

“O Palheiro Golfe está a realizar este ano, a pela primeira vez, um programa de “Golfe nas Férias”. Se tem filhos pequenos, e agora que as férias estão aí à porta, porque não surpreendê-los com umas aulas de Golfe ?! Se o seu filho tem entre 6 e 18 anos desafie-o a aprender algumas dicas e técnicas desta modalidade !

O golfe ajuda a desenvolver a coordenação motora e a capacidade de concentração. Ajuda a definir e a esteblecer objectivos, estimula o auto-conhecimento e o respeito à natureza. Além disso é um desporto que conta com um conjunto de etiqueta que abranga cortesia, cuidados com o campo, ordem de jogo, tratamento interpessoal, entre outros aspactos que são apresentados aos alunos de forma lúdica e divertida. Exprimente . ”
Para mais informações contacte a recepção do Chubhouse do Palheiro Golfe ( 291 790 120 )

Thanks to the appealing climate and increasing range of year-round outdoor activities, Madeira has been expanding its appeal to families in recent years.

Roger Still, who lives on Madeira with his wife Lizzie and daughter Lara, says:  “When we moved here 18 months ago, we weren’t sure how Lara would settle – but we’ve all acclimated very quickly thanks to the huge range of activities available year round.   Opportunities here for families are terrific.

“Lara particularly enjoys the Saturday morning girl’s golf lessons held at the Palheiro Golf Course. They are very popular, with around 20 girls attending each week.”

The long coastline provides a range of water sports including surfing, fishing, sailing and snorkelling.  Dolphin spotting boat trips are another great day out.

The lush interior has a winding network of levadas for walking explorations of the islands flora and fauna.  Mountain biking is another popular activity.

The annual festivals are a highlight for families, particularly the fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve and during the Atlantic Festival in June.

During the Festival of the Flower in April, thousands of children gather to place a flower at the Municipal Square to make up the floral “Wall of Hope” (Muro da Esperança).  This festival also offers classical concerts and live folk music.

A deer park, an ecological park, a farmyard zoo (Prazeres), the Story Centre and the Santana theme park with a mix of Madeiran history, tradition and culture, are sure to keep children of all ages entertained for hours.

For families interested in a longer stay, the two international schools – the British School of Madeira and International School of Madeira – compliment a range of state primary and secondary schools.

Palheiro Village, overlooking the capital city of Funchal, provides the prefect place to explore the delights of Madeira. Or, to take in the sweeping views of the ocean and relax at the pool bar while the children enjoy swimming in the Village Forum pool.

Both long and short stays are possible – with villas and apartments available to rent or buy.

A family sized three-bedroom villa, with well designed indoor/outdoor flow to terraces overlooking the ocean, is available for €690,000.

Fully furnished villas are available to rent from €1,450 per week, providing the perfect family holiday for all ages.

For more information, please contact Palheiro Village on + 351 291 794 015 or visit:  www.palheiroestate.com

When it comes to playing golf in Madeira, the Navy’s choice is Palheiro Golf. It has almost become a tradition that visiting ships of the armed forces from around the world come to play golf at Palheiro. This week the USS Nashville visited the port of Funchal. The ship had completed a maritime safety exercise off the coast of West Africa, and the crew was due for a well deserved rest. A total of 40 players took part in the Captain’s Choice tournament, and the winning team returned an impressive six under par 65!! The tournament was followed by a lunch in the Clubhouse Restaurant. At the end of the day Captain R. Tembe expressed his thanks to Palheiro Golf and all the staff, and presented Palheiro with a plaque with the ship’s crest, to display in the Clubhouse.

Quando se trata de jogar golfe na Madeira, a Marinha escolhe o Palheiro Golfe. Já é quase uma tradição que as tripulações dos navios visitantes das forças armadas dos quatro cantos do mundo venham jogar uma volta de golfe no Palheiro. Esta semana um navio da marinha dos Estados Unidos da América, o USS Nashville visitou o porto do Funchal. O navio terminara uma missão de segurança marítima pelas costas da África Ocidental e a tripulação merecia uns momentos descontraídos. 40 jogadores participaram no Torneio “A Escolha do Capitão” e a equipa vencedora obteve um resultado impressionante, pontuando 6 abaixo do par 65! Depois do Torneio seguiu-se um almoço de convívio no Restaurante Clubhouse. No final do dia, o Comandante R. Tembe agradeceu ao Palheiro Golfe e a todos os intervenientes no evento, e ofereceu uma placa com a insígnia do navio USS Nashville, que doravante ficará exposta no Clubhouse do Palheiro Golfe.

L: The indoor pool at the new Palheiro Spa;     R: A treatment room leading out to a private garden

Palheiro Spa, opening this month at Madeira’s five-star Casa Velha do Palheiro hotel, part of the exclusive Relais & Chateaux collection, is a world class addition to this island paradise.

Located within the Palheiro Estate, the new spa is a perfect complement to the existing attractions at the Casa Velha, which include the renowned Palheiro Gardens and the 18-hole Palheiro Golf course.

Highly regarded local architect Bruno Martins, has integrated rustic elements with the classic style of the 200 year old Casa Velha hotel to ensure the new spa enhances the site.

“Palheiro Spa has been designed as an extension of the natural surroundings”, says Jonathan Fletcher, director of Palheiro Estate, “with local materials and native planting used wherever possible.

“This superb design, the carefully selected environmentally-friendly products from Pevonia Botanica and the highly-qualified staff will ensure that Casa Velha becomes the top resort destination on Madeira.  The Palheiro Estate’s offering of five star accommodation, along with top rated golf, outstanding gardens and now an international class spa is immensely appealing to visitors from around the world.”

Pevonia Botanica products are natural formulations that use organic extracts. All products are packaged in an eco-friendly way (recyclable/biodegradable), are non-comedogenic and have not been tested on animals.

Palheiro Spa includes four treatment rooms, a Finnish sauna, Turkish steam bath and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.  The spa complex also includes a fitness room equipped with a power plate, treadmill, bicycle, rowing machine and weights. A personal trainer can be arranged on request.

The comprehensive massage menu from around the globe includes massages specifically designed for golfers as well as botanical face and body treatments and ‘immediate results’ non-invasive facial treatments.

The Conservatory Bar at the spa offers guests the chance to sample a relaxing teas and healthy snacks before or after treatments.

The Palheiro Spa is managed by a very experienced team, which includes trained physiotherapists, masseuses, beauty therapists and esthetical therapists.

Introductory spa packages are being offered for €450 per person, including four nights’ accommodation at Casa Velha hotel and three spa treatments, plus unlimited access to Palheiro Spa’s facilities.

Direct flights run from 13 airports in the UK to Funchal and take just over three hours. Airlines include easyJet, TAP Portugal, First Choice, Thomsonfly, Thomas Cook and Fly Globespan.

For more information, please contact Casa Velha do Palheiro hotel, Tel: (+351) 291 790 350 or visit www.casa-velha.com