- Monte Rei’s North Course reopened in September 2026 after a six-month renovation.
- Work covered greens, bunkers, irrigation, cart paths and practice facilities.
- The wider resort investment includes a 100-room Nobu hotel, signature restaurant and branded residences.
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club has reopened its North Course following a six-month renovation intended to restore the Jack Nicklaus Signature layout while retaining its original design character.
The Eastern Algarve course closed in April after an assessment of its playing surfaces and supporting infrastructure. Monte Rei’s greenkeeping staff completed the programme alongside Nicklaus Design, with Details, the resort’s management company, overseeing the investment.
The project included reconstruction work on the greens, bunker restoration, irrigation and pump station improvements, refurbished cart paths and extensive clearing around the property. Numerous tees were also enlarged.
Practice facilities received an upgraded tee and new training technology. Monte Rei has also introduced equipment to support quieter maintenance and more sustainable working practices.
The reopening completes the programme announced in February, intended to improve long-term resilience without unnecessarily changing the course.
Restoring the Nicklaus design
Monte Rei’s North Course opened in 2007 and was designed by Jack Nicklaus, winner of 18 major championships. Its routing through the rolling foothills of the Eastern Algarve has established the course as one of Portugal’s best-known golf venues.
Nuno Sepúlveda, co-CEO of Details, said the renovation was focused on restoration rather than redesign.
“Monte Rei is one of Portugal and European golf’s most iconic venues and is a must-play course for anyone who loves golf. It was already a great design, so it was important that the work undertaken focused on renewing rather than reinventing it to restore the course to its former glory and put it back where it belongs.”
Dirk Bouts, senior designer at Nicklaus Design, said the enlarged tees and renovated greens and bunkers had improved presentation while preserving the layout’s integrity.
“The result has brought the golf course back to the exceptional standard and presentation that were originally envisioned. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved and very much look forward to seeing golfers return to Monte Rei and once again experience this remarkable golf course as Jack originally intended it to be played and enjoyed.”
Wider investment at Monte Rei
The reopening forms part of a broader development phase at Monte Rei. Plans include a 100-room Nobu hotel alongside a signature restaurant, while Nobu-branded residences will expand the resort’s accommodation offering.
Existing facilities include apartments and villas, high-end dining, a heated swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, children’s play area and a 24-hour concierge service.
Details currently manages a portfolio comprising 23 hotels, 14 golf courses, a sports centre, an equestrian centre and several dining venues.
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Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.