Last Saturday, April 13th, the tradition remained, and the World Corporate Golf Challenge Portugal returned to the astonishing island of Madeira. The fourth qualifier of the Portuguese circuit, the largest company tournament in the world, had the participation of 34 companies from Madeira and the continent, with a total of 80 participants, including players, partners, and guests.
Madeira Island is a sublime host. Due to its natural characteristics, it is a unique destination. When combined with the three excellent golf courses, it becomes an oasis for any golfer. The World Golf Awards have awarded it the “Best Emerging Golf” Award Destination.
The course route chosen at the Santo da Serra Golf Club for the corporate competition was Machico–Desertas, the traditional route for the European Tour’s Madeira Islands Open, which is in magnificent conditions and requires technique and precision from the participating golfers. “The pitch was tough; despite being shorter, it was quite technical, and today was one of those days when the game came together. My partner is an excellent player, he held up well and in the end it went well” said Paulo Sousa from the company Simetrifloor, who won the title of winning company, with 77 points in the net classification. The remaining teams that reached the podium were, in the net classification, Ana Bento and Lino Bento with the company HVIS and in the gross classification, in the first place, the company Vila Baleira, where Afonso Bento and Pedro Araújo totalized 65 points.
The Vila Baleira group is a newcomer to the circuit and secured its place in the national final of the WCGC Portugal, which will take place on July 6th in Óbidos at the Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort. Bruno Martins, general director of the Vila Baleira Group, reinforces the importance of corporate events associated with the brand, “I think that when companies are involved, it is always a powerful networking opportunity for visibility of the partners involved. And that’s why we, as a hotel group, also here with some importance, in the Island, believe that all major golf events that help promote the islands, in this case, our group and golf in Madeira, are important.”
At this stage, in addition to three teams competing, the group was the official hotel for the players who travelled from the continent and treated all participants with a massage after the game in the SPA corner by Vila Baleira. At the same time, the partners of the World Corporate Golf Challenge Portugal were present at several moments of the tournament. When welcoming the players, nothing was missing for a high-quality game. With an original goody bag, the shoe bag includes the competition’s official polo and cap, golf balls by Municipio de Sesimbra, pitchfork and ballmaker by Axis Hotéis and URIAGE sunscreens. Água Monchique and the Nicola Café at check-in, Coral and Brisa at the halfway bar and the welcome cocktail delighted the players.
Per Se, they welcomed the players after the tournament to the sound of Floor Sensation and AUDI cars, which completed the paradise view of Santo da Serra. Clube Golf Santo da Serra has already taken three teams to the world final of the World Corporate Golf Challenge: Serlima in 1999, Anadia Shopping in 2000 and Brisa (ECM) in 2012, thus reflecting the connection between the two entities. The 2024 world final will be a privilege for the company representing Portugal, held in October in China on Haikou Island. Ana Massapina, the licensee holder of WCGC Portugal, states that “the competition will be at a very high level. The organization will not fail because this has been a hallmark of the WCGC for 30 years. Wherever it is in the world, it will surely be a success.” The last opportunity to live this experience will take place in the fifth qualifier of WCGC Portugal, which will take place on June 15th in the north of Portugal.
WCGC wants to thank for the support of sponsors and partners: AUDI, Município de Óbidos, Câmara Municipal de Sesimbra, Turkish Airlines, Axis Hotéis, B travel, Associação de Promoção da Madeira, Madeira Golf Passport, Philips, Sesimbra SPA & Hotel, Município de Ponte de Lima, Vila Baleira, Vista Alegre, Afirma, Água Monchique, BDR, Coral, Brisa Maracujá, Distintus, Beirão D’Honra, Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, Per Se, Cigala, Nicola, Uriage, Santos e Vale, Fundação S. João de Deus, Floor Sensation e Associação Empresarial do Minho, Golftattoo, Golfe Press, Grupo Multipublicações (Executive Digest, Revista Marketeer, Human Resources), Greensavers, Evoque Mag, TNews e Revista Business Portugal.
