Last year, while planning my February holiday in Madeira, I decided to look into the construction of the Ponta do Pargo golf course. What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into a rare opportunity.
Faldo Design responded with remarkable openness and generosity to my request, and soon after, Simon Jones (Managing Director of Faldo Enterprises) connected me with Michael Longshaw, the Chief Executive of International Golf & Resort Management, who oversees the course’s development.
What followed was far more than a site visit—it was an in-depth look behind the scenes of one of the most exciting golf developments in Europe.
I was given an exceptionally detailed and professional tour that revealed not only how the course is being built, but also the vision shaping its future.
In the interview that follows, Michael Longshaw shares unique insights into the construction process, the strategic thinking behind the project, and the ambitions of the local government that is driving it forward.
If you are curious about how a world-class golf destination comes to life—from the first plans to the long-term vision—this conversation will give you a fascinating perspective you rarely get to see.
What are the owners’ plans for the golf course development?
The project is owned by Ponta do Oeste, S.A., a state-owned development company of the Regional Government of Madeira.
The development has been conceived as an anchor tourism project for the west of the island, supporting the decentralisation of tourism beyond the Funchal area.
The development includes an 18-hole par-72 championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo (Faldo Design) together with a clubhouse, restaurant, and practice facilities, including a driving range.
The broader master plan for the site includes
- the potential development of two hotel units and
- approximately 140 residential villas, intended to be delivered through private investment partners.
Official government figures indicate an investment of approximately €12.8 million for the current completion phase of the golf course construction.
This follows an earlier phase of works during which approximately 60–64% of the civil works had already been completed before the project was paused.
From a destination perspective, the project aims to strengthen Madeira’s position in the international golf tourism market.
It will add a completely new dimension to Madeira’s golf offering and represents a significant step for the island’s golf tourism development.
When do you anticipate this investment will start generating profits?
The Regional Government has authorised a strategy based on private-sector participation, including the concession of the golf course to a private operator and the development or sale of adjacent land parcels for tourism and residential use.
While a specific break-even timeline has not been disclosed, the economic model presented by the authorities combines international golf tourism with associated real estate development, with the transition to private operation through a public tender intended to support long-term commercial viability and wider economic activity in the region.
Who is the golf course intended for?
As you saw during our walk, this is one of the most dramatic golf sites in Europe, incorporating more than 600 feet of elevation change, with several holes positioned directly above the Atlantic coastline, with a 1,000-foot drop to the sea!
Sir Nick Faldo’s design objective has been to create a course that is enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels while still offering a strong strategic challenge.
The natural terrain creates a layout with a clear risk-reward character, appealing to experienced players while remaining playable for resort golfers through multiple tee positions.
Sir Nick Faldo has described the site as exceptional, noting that:
“We have something special in Madeira; being able to sculpt the course on the site itself is exciting. We believe this will be a dream course that every golfer will want to play. The scale of the place is difficult to explain — the cliffs are massive.”
He has also highlighted the dramatic nature of the landscape, describing it as:
“An incredibly dramatic site — it’s going to be incredible and amazing to play here.”
The intention is to create a course that appeals both to international golf travellers seeking a distinctive championship experience and to the wider resort golf market visiting Madeira.
How do you plan to create a sustainable golf course?
Sustainability has been an important consideration in the development of the course.
As you will have seen during our walk on the site, Kikuyu is already naturally established across the landscape, which was one of the primary reasons we moved away from the more traditional rye and fescue turf mixes that are typically imported and require significantly higher irrigation and maintenance inputs.
Kikuyu performs particularly well in Madeira’s coastal climate and provides a resilient playing surface that can withstand wind, salt exposure, and the site’s natural topography.
During construction, the routing has worked with the existing terrain wherever possible, retaining traditional stone walls, natural terraces, and existing levadas, while introducing new terracing and additional levadas where required to support water management and integrate the course naturally with the landscape.
These elements reflect the traditional agricultural landscape of Madeira, where terraces and levadas have historically been used to manage water and cultivate the steep terrain.
Existing buildings on the property have also been repurposed for operational uses, including the halfway house and on-course facilities, reducing the need for additional construction while preserving elements of the historic landscape.
In addition, footpaths have been incorporated to maintain access to historic walking routes that cross the site, particularly the cliffside path running alongside the 17th and 18th holes, ensuring the development continues to respect the traditional use of the landscape.
Together, these measures ensure that the development works with the character of the landscape, preserving the site’s historic features while introducing the infrastructure required for a modern championship golf course.
What is the official opening date of the golf club? Is there a designated team responsible for its management?
The current construction programme targets December 2026 for completion of the golf course infrastructure, with the official opening expected during 2027 following the turf establishment and grow-in phase.
Technical supervision of the project is undertaken by International Golf & Resort Management (IGRM) in collaboration with Faldo Design, while the primary contractor responsible for the construction works is Afavias Engenharia e Construções.
The Board of Ponta do Oeste, S.A. is currently preparing public tender documentation for the future management and operation of the golf course, through which a specialist private operator will be selected.
When will the launch campaign take place? How might Golf Business Monitor participate in this?
Marketing activity is expected to increase as the project approaches completion and enters the grow-in phase ahead of opening.
Industry publications such as Golf Business Monitor play an important role in highlighting developments within the international golf sector and supporting awareness of emerging golf destinations such as Madeira.
A short video overview of the project is also available, illustrating the dramatic clifftop setting and construction progress as the course approaches its final stages.
The video also includes commentary from Sir Nick Faldo and Faldo Design architect Paul Jansen, outlining the design strategy behind the course.