10th December 2014 - 264 avid golfers from across Europe took part in one of Portugal’s most significant amateur tournaments, the Vilamoura Grand Trophy (Grande Trofeu Vilamoura), the finale to Oceânico Golf’s impressive event’s season.

Eight winners emerged from four handicap categories on the ultimate day of play yesterday, with Irishman Paul Kennedy topping the leaderboard with a net score of 218.

Going from strength to strength since its inception in 1987, the Vilamoura Grand Trophy has developed in both size and reach, with international golfers making up over 50% of the field. Participants travelled from across Portugal, as well as the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, France, Scandinavia and the Netherlands to enjoy a full week of competitive warm-weather golf over the region’s leading courses.

The event took place over 54 holes of Oceânico’s celebrated layouts: Oceânico Victoria, Oceânico Old and Oceânico Pinhal Courses while a series of glittering after-hours proceedings ensued at the 5 star Hotels Tivoli Marina and Hilton Vilamoura and the Solverde Vilamoura Casino.

“The Vilamoura Grand Trophy provides a fantastic balance of social and competitive golf for those who wish to enjoy a mild climate and play courses in fantastic condition as throughout the winter months,” said Oceânico CEO, Chris Stilwell.

“The tournament fits well with our continual drive to support golf on all levels. The European Tour’s Portugal Masters and the Oceânico World Kids Golf have been regular fixtures on the calendar for both professionals and aspiring young talent respectively.”

“We incorporate a unique social element into this week’s trophy - a pre-event cocktail and gala dinner at the Vilamoura Casino ahead of the final round and a beautiful prize giving cocktail dinatoir at the Hilton Vilamoura - to create an all-round experience for golfers of all handicaps.”

Demonstrating a demand for high-class golf from a variety of markets and Oceânico Golf’s expert ability to expertly deliver world-class events, all three tournaments will return to the calendar in 2015. A recent agreement confirmed at least two further editions of the Portugal Masters - one of the most popular stops on The European Tour calendar.

Image 1: Oceânico Old Course 6th hole
Image 2: Vilamoura Grand Trophy overall net winner, Paul Kennedy (left)