COLCHESTER'S Dale Whitnell made full use of his course knowledge to win the final event of the Portugal Pro Golf Tour (PPGT) on Troia Resort’s championship course.

Whitnell won with a final score of nine-under par after three rounds at the course, which is one of Europe’s best and renowned for its breathtaking sea views and challenging links holes.

The tournament – the 22nd and last event of the international circuit sanctioned by PGA of Portugal, the Portuguese Golf Federation and the Jamega Pro Golf Tour – saw around 80 players from across the globe compete for the €25,000 purse, more than double the amount offered at the other events on the Tour.

Whitnell said: “I already had great memories of Troia from 2009, winning the Portuguese Amateur Championship, so when it was announced as the Tour Championship venue, I was quietly confident.

“Troia Resort is an outstanding facility and one I would recommend to anyone.

"The staff were welcoming and the golf course was in first-class condition, making it a very good test for all levels of the game.”

Hannes Rönneblad’s new course record of 65, seven under par, achieved on the last day of the event, may not seem particularly low for a modern pro.

But when one takes into consideration Troia’s challenging layout, it is an extremely impressive score that is likely to stand for some time.

The 24-year-old Swede said: “Troia is definitely one of my favourite courses in Europe. There aren’t many places that test your entire game in such a great way – it’s a paradise if you like creativity.

“I was lucky enough to experience this during the Tour Championship, where I shot 65 on the last round. It may sound like a walk in the park, but the course still showed its teeth. So have fun with it and enjoy the beautiful views. I’m always looking forward to my next visit there.”

Located on the Tróia Peninsula on the Atlantic coast, with panoramic views of the ocean and Arrábida mountain range, players and fans were stunned by Troia’s unrivalled beauty.

The par-72 course, designed by American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Senior, stretches 6,317m along the beach, but it is not just the location which makes it one of Portugal’s finest courses.

The diverse holes tested even the top pros on the Tour as they were required to play a multitude of shots through a combination of pine trees and indigenous coastal plants, with small, narrow greens and bold bunkering.

PGA Portugal president José Correia said: “Troia Resort was the perfect venue and the conditions were fantastic.

"The feedback from the players and organisers was very positive, congratulations to everyone involved for putting on such a great event.”

For more information on the Troia Resort, visit http://www.troiaresort.pt/en