Oitavos Dunes Golf Club at Quinta da Marinha is located 30 minutes from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, just outside the resort village of Cascais. Developed by three generations of the Champalimaud family, the Quinta da Marinha resort community is located entirely within the Sintra-Cascais National Park.

Oitavos Golf Course has held 8 Professional events from all European Tours, including the Portuguese Open in 2005 and 2007. In 2008 and 2009 they will hold the Portuguese Open once again.

Though not a true links, the very open design has many links-like characteristics, not the least of which is its exposure to sea breezes. This is the Atlantic Ocean where sea breezes can quickly become cantankerous, turning into gusting winds and when the wind blows here, it packs a punch, adding another degree of excitement to the round. In true links style, Oitavos also boasts some impressive sand dunes, especially along the middle holes where it plays through a spectacular dunescape, taking the test up a further notch.

Oitavos provides an excellent mix of holes, one moment running through stands of Umbrella Pines, then around sand dunes to rugged outcroppings of rock, then dunes again. Yet for all the variety and changes, it's a design that flows and makes perfect sense.

Excellent, imaginative design, faultless maintenance and gorgeous views of ocean and mountains from practically every hole, makes it easy to understand how Oitavos has reached stardom so quickly. It's a layout that demands to be an essential part of any golf trip to Portugal.

Designer: Arthur Hills
Par: 71
Length: 6303 yards