Sir Nick Faldo’s Ponta do Pargo is set to make a bold statement in 2026, elevating Madeira’s golf portfolio to new heights.
Perched high above the Atlantic on Madeira’s western edge, Ponta do Pargo offers a sense of detachment from the world below. The ocean stretches endlessly, waves crash 300 meters below against the cliffs, and Sir Nick Faldo has sculpted a course into the lush terrain surrounding the 1922 lighthouse. The result: a dramatic layout featuring drives into the abyss, nerve-wracking shots over rocky chasms, and fairways that seem to flow into the sea before ending in infinity greens. To illustrate: there’s a 180-meter elevation change between the seventh tee and the 16th green.
Sir Nick’s Opus on Madeira
Set for completion next year, Faldo’s 120-hectare creation will join and possibly surpass Madeira’s existing trio of courses—Palheiro, Santo da Serra, and Porto Santo. The name ‘Ponta’ itself suggests a peak, and this course aims to be just that. After delays caused by the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project resumed in 2023. Regional President Miguel Albuquerque hopes it will become a flagship for the region, thanks to its sustainability standards and advanced irrigation system—not to mention its ambition to rank among Europe’s most beautiful courses.
120 Hectares of Elevation and Vision
Faldo is naturally enthusiastic about the raw canvas he was given: ‘The terrain, the cliffs, and the views are so dramatic and breathtaking. Our goal was to harness this unique setting and ensure every hole is as captivating as the natural surroundings.’ Some green complexes had to be toned down to avoid design excess, but the result remains spectacular.
‘Making Sure the Beast Is Playable’
‘The greens from holes fourteen to eighteen are fully exposed to the ocean’s power,’ Faldo explains. ‘We had to make sure this beast is playable when the Atlantic gets wild.’ After touring the site, it’s hard to disagree with the six-time major champion: ‘There are incredible greens that demand equally incredible shots to reach.’ Faldo’s team also reduced irrigated areas to enhance sustainability. Tees, fairways, and roughs are seeded with local Kikuyu grass, minimizing water use and blending seamlessly with native vegetation.