(Vilamoura, Portugal) – Four-time Major winner and former World No.1 Ernie Els is partnering with owners Arrow Global to bring the first Els Club to Europe and the first private members golf club to the Algarve.
The Big Easy’s eponymous club brand has become synonymous with excellence with its blue and gold hallmark acting as a stamp of assurance for golfers around the world to expect world class amenities and service.
The Els Club Vilamoura will have the additional distinction of becoming The Algarve’s first private members’ golf club offering a new standard of exceptional and privileged access when it opens to a small group of Founder Members in Summer 2025.
“This one is really special,” said Els, who has opened four of his exclusive Els Clubs around the world to date, adding he was delighted to finally bring the luxury concept to Europe.
“We have been keeping this one under wraps as we know the standing this property has in the eyes of the golfing public and wanted to hit the mark with the design. I have loved the challenge of creating something exceptional for this part of the world – and I can’t wait for people to see it.”
The South African legend was handpicked by Arrow Global to redesign the Victoria Course, the former home of the Portugal Masters acquired as part of a major investment in Vilamoura in 2023 and transform the signature course into the venue for his first exclusive club on European soil.
Els and his award-winning design team, are well under way, having broken ground earlier in the year on the much-transformed site overseen by DETAILS, the management company owned by Arrow Global that manages sports and hospitality assets in Portugal, including golf courses and hotels in Vilamoura.
“Any time you get the chance to work with an ownership group with a clear vision and mission, it allows us to focus our creative efforts in how we architect a product and experience that will stand the test of time. The Algarve, and in particular Vilamoura, are outstanding destinations and for me to see The Els Club proposition take its first steps in this market is a watershed moment and we couldn’t be prouder”, Els continued.
“Whenever we design a golf course, we always have the eye on what makes it a championship golf course. Most of our courses, thankfully, have hosted events; whether that’s on the PGA Tour, Asian Tour, DP World Tour, or Latin American Tour. Most of our courses have had championships of some calibre and this is going to be no different with an exclusive, customized experience for all members.
“When the kids were small, we lived in England and could come down to this area for summer holidays. We would come down and play golf in the courses in Vilamoura. So, when the opportunity came up, through DETAILS, it really made sense to me. When I come here, I feel like I’m coming home.”
Els, who has guided renovations and new designs at several of the world’s best courses including Wentworth’s West Course, host of the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship, has been working in close collaboration on the project with DETAILS.
Nuno Sepúlveda, Co-CEO of DETAILS said: “It is a real honour and privilege to work with Ernie Els on this extraordinary private club which will offer members a new level of service and privacy previously unattainable in the Algarve. The Els Club Vilamoura will reflect his passion and demand for excellence in everything we do.”
The Els Club Vilamoura is an important asset in Vilamoura, owned by funds managed by Arrow Global. Alongside the equestrian centre, golf courses, hotels, and new residential developments, it plays a pivotal role in creating a multi-purpose resort that mitigates the effects of seasonality, attracts a diverse clientele, and delivers long-term value.
For more information on The Els Club Vilamoura, please visit here.
About The Els Club Vilamoura
The Els Club Vilamoura is the fifth club, and first in Europe, designed and masterminded by South African four-time Major winner Ernie Els. The luxury venue in Vilamoura follows the opening of Copperleaf in South Africa, Els Club Dubai and two clubs in Malaysia, including world’s top 100 Teluk Datai and Desaru Coast. The centrepiece of The Els Club Vilamoura, one of several stunning golfing properties managed by DETAILS and owned by Arrow Global, is the redesigned 18-hole championship Victoria course, host of the European Tour’s Portugal Masters between 2007 and 2022. Els Club Vilamoura is a best-in-class, luxury, private resort golf club experience which also features Ernie’s Els’ trademark 261 tap room and a host of other dining and leisure facilities.
About DETAILS
DETAILS is a prominent Sports and Hospitality platform, wholly owned by Arrow Global, which manages a diverse array of tourist assets across Portugal. Its portfolio comprises 28 operating and in development hotel projects, including six hotels formerly under ownership of Dom Pedro. It fully manages the Dom Pedro Golf and Hotels Collection. Under its Sports & Leisure pillar, DETAILS oversees Portugal’s largest portfolio of golf courses and associated facilities, including Vilamoura’s renowned and recently renovated Old, Pinhal, Millennium, and Laguna courses, and the Els Club Vilamoura, as well as PGA Aroeira No.1 and PGA Aroeira No.2 courses, Palmares Golf Course, and Vale Pisão Golf Course. Additional assets include the Vilamoura marina, the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre and a state-of-the-art Sports Centre currently in planning. Since July 2023, DETAILS has prioritized portfolio enhancements in Vilamoura, focusing on luxury residential opportunities and enriching its amenities, with the aim of positioning the town and the Algarve as a premier destination for golfers and luxury travellers worldwide.
About Arrow Global Group
Arrow Global is a leading European vertically integrated alternative asset manager specialising in European private credit and real estate.
Founded in 2005, we own 22 best-in-class asset management and servicing platforms which allows us to enhance operational efficiencies and maximise the value of underlying assets which in turn allows us to have a disciplined investment approach, underwriting insight and proprietary deal flow. This vertically integrated advantage allows us to create sustainable value throughout market cycles across a range of alternative asset classes including Real Estate, Direct Lending and Opportunistic Credit.
With the added benefit of key European regulatory licences, Arrow services approximately €90 billion of third-party AUM. Our strong track record, predominantly with real estate asset backed investments, spans across a broad range of opportunities, involving more than €10 billion invested over the last 20 years.
We operate across Western Europe, with our headquarters in London and offices in cities including, but not limited to, Milan, Rome, Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Amersfoort, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Luxembourg, Dublin, Manchester, Leeds, and Jersey.
