Par 3 Challenge announced to launch Oceanico Amendoeira & Portugal Masters

Ireland to take on Rest of the World as Ryder Cup legends Clarke and Westwood captain teams at Oceanico's pristine Amendoeira par 3 academy course

Twelve of the European Tour’s finest golfers, including Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke and Major Winners Padraig Harrington and Michael Campbell, have agreed to the challenge laid down by the team at Oceânico for a unique floodlit par 3 challenge at Oceânico´s Amendoeira Golf Resort. To celebrate the official launch of the all new Sports Club at the stunning new resort and the third successive hosting of the Portugal Masters at the Oceânico Victoria course, a special event is being held this evening as a precursor to the week’s festivities.

Ireland will take on the Rest of the World in a modified team stableford points format, where the two teams of six will go head to head around the testing par 3 course whilst under floodlights. Bonus points will be available in addition to the standard stableford scoring system; 1 bonus point available for nearest the pin on each hole, 1 bonus point if a player gets inside the scoring zone (a 2 feet radius circle around the hole) and a 10 point hole-in-one bonus. The team with the highest combined total over 9 holes will take the title. The innovative floodlit 9 hole Oceânico Academy course at Amendoeira represents a glimpse into the future of golf – the perfect solution to maintain regular play for time sensitive modern day golfers who struggle to fit in one or two full rounds a month.
The  Amendoeira resort will celebrate its first year in style with Oceânico’s front line ambassadors Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood captaining Ireland and the Rest of the World respectively. The two Ryder Cup stars, both set to move into their brand new villas overlooking the Oceânico Faldo Course and Oceânico O’Connor Jnr. course, are regulars down to the Algarve and proud ambassadors of Oceânico.

“I have a great relationship with the Oceânico team and am proud to be associated here. I always enjoy my visits with the kids and the conditions for golf are always ideal. I am looking forward to taking on Lee and his team. If I am honest I don’t think they stand a chance against the strength of my Irish team!” said Darren Clarke, Captain of Ireland and Oceânico touring pro.

Clarke, some of whose team mates and opponents have neighbouring villas and penthouses at Amendoeira, will be joined by fellow Irishmen and three time Major winner, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Shane Lowry, Paul McGinley and Gary Murphy, and will take on Lee Westwood’s Rest of the World team, Michael Campbell, Bradley Dredge, Ross McGowan, Paul Broadhurst and David Howell. The teams will compete for the Oceânico Par 3 Challenge title at the Oceânico´s Amendoeira resort.

Amendoeira Golf Resort was opened to critical acclaim in 2008 during the Portugal Masters with a unique 6 hole challenge. A year on and the resort has furthered its already impressive facilities to include a state of the art sports club. The facilities now boasts, a full size football pitche, where rugby and cricket can be played, two Astroturf five-a-side football pitches, six tennis courts (two with floodlighting), two world class bowls greens (crown and flat)  As well as a fully equipped Technogym gymnasium. “The intention has always been to create world class sporting facilities here and it is great to see this being realized. We have had a variety of elite sports teams and individuals using the grounds already, such as Premier League side Sunderland FC, and are looking forward to welcoming national and international squads and teams in the coming months and years. Furthermore it is a great addition for our residents and property owners who are seeing the resort develop into the five star exclusive leisure facility we planned,” commented Simon Burgess, Director Oceânico Group.