Each May, the Algarve’s golf calendar settles into a familiar rhythm at Vale do Lobo. The 42nd Open Foursomes draws players from across the globe for a week that leans as much on camaraderie as it does on competition.
The 42nd Open Foursomes at Vale do Lobo
The Open Foursomes at Vale do Lobo reaches its 42nd edition in 2026, running from 24th to 30th May. Over the years, it has become one of the Algarve’s most anticipated amateur golf events, welcoming both seasoned participants and first-timers.
Players spend the week competing across the resort’s courses while also taking part in the wider social side of the event. Friendly competition and community spirit sit at the heart of the format, helping explain why so many golfers return year after year.
Foursomes Week and the Spirit of Algarve Golf
Foursomes Week centres on enjoyment and shared experience rather than pure performance. According to Hernâni Estêvão, Managing Director at Vale do Lobo, golf at the resort is seen as a way to build social connections as much as refine technique.
Returning players, new competitors and families mix throughout the week, reinforcing the idea that this is a social fixture in the Algarve golfing calendar rather than a stand-alone tournament.
Golf at Vale do Lobo: courses and facilities
Vale do Lobo is home to two 18-hole courses, forming the backbone of the Open Foursomes.
The Royal Golf Course remains the headline layout, particularly for its almost-island green on the 9th hole and the clifftop carry on the 16th, both of which have become defining features of the resort’s golfing identity.
Beyond the fairways, the resort provides dedicated practice facilities and a range of coaching options aimed at players of different ages and abilities. An on-site golf shop supplies equipment and apparel, keeping everything contained within the resort grounds.
The clubhouse forms the social hub during Foursomes Week. SMASH restaurant and the SMASH Sports Bar provide informal spaces where players gather after rounds, continuing the day’s conversations well into the evening.
Vale do Lobo Junior Golf Academy
Running alongside the Open Foursomes, the Vale do Lobo Junior Golf Academy takes place from 25th to 29th May 2026 during the school holiday period. Young players receive ten hours of tuition over five days, combining technical training with confidence-building sessions.
The academy plays a practical role in shaping the next generation of golfers at the resort. Many children and teenagers who train here later step onto the same fairways as their parents, with some progressing towards participation in future editions of the Open Foursomes.
Intergenerational golf and property at Vale do Lobo
The Residences Vale do Lobo
The resort links its golfing tradition with residential living through The Residences Vale do Lobo, positioned beside the Royal Golf Course. Proximity to the fairways forms part of the appeal, particularly for those already embedded in the Open Foursomes or Junior Golf Academy community.
The development includes apartments, townhouses and linked villas, catering to buyers seeking a holiday home, a full-time base or an investment property.
Kronos Homes and the Vale do Lobo lifestyle
Kronos Homes owns and operates Vale do Lobo and manages The Residences. Interest reportedly comes from international buyers drawn to the combination of tournament culture, family-focused golf development and established resort infrastructure.
Why the Open Foursomes remains central to Vale do Lobo
After more than four decades, the Open Foursomes continues to act as a focal point for the Vale do Lobo community. Its emphasis on participation, sociability and family involvement sets the tone for the wider resort culture.
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