Occasionally, a simple phone call can spark an exciting new venture. This was the case when Pauline Binnie, head of golf at Espiche Golf Club, reached out to golf pro Fraser Cramb. What began as an inquiry about sourcing golf balls for the soon-to-be-expanded driving range led to a remarkable opportunity for collaboration.
Fraser had previously managed the driving range at Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos until the construction work there made it clear he needed a new venue. Together with his colleague Gonçalo Pinto, they searched for a suitable location to continue their coaching work. Initially, they thought they had a deal with another course, but changes in ownership and development plans dashed those hopes. Ultimately, they secured a temporary arrangement with Penina that spanned over a year and a half, but finding a permanent home at Espiche with its excellent facilities felt like a dream come true.
Following their conversation, Pauline invited Fraser to discuss a potential partnership further. It became apparent that the expansion of the practice facilities at Espiche would ideally be complemented by enhanced coaching. After discussions with the club’s owners, they received the green light to proceed.
On 1 May, the new driving range officially opened, followed by the unveiling of the golf academy’s new building and teaching area on 7 May. The €180,000 investment resulted in state-of-the-art facilities, including a two-tier driving range to accommodate even the longest hitters, alongside a top-notch short game area for chipping and bunker practice.
The new building is equipped for video analysis and hosts a comprehensive club fitting service employing advanced technology to measure ball speed, spin rates and more, ensuring clients get the most out of their new equipment.
Fraser, Gonçalo and the resident professional João Tomaz make up the expanding golf academy team, collectively ready to assist players of all abilities. Fraser, having long aspired to be a teaching pro, has honed his communication skills to connect with golfers across different ages and skill levels. With technical abilities in club fitting and swing analysis, he’s well-positioned to aid his clients’ progress.
Gonçalo has shifted his focus from professional player to coach. He currently trains various players, including Portugal’s No. 1, Ricardo Gouveia, who ranks 41st on the Race to Dubai leaderboard. Recently appointed as the Portuguese National Coach, Gonçalo continues to offer popular group lessons for golfers of all ages and skills.
João, who hails from Alentejo, has been the resident pro at Espiche for the past few years. He took up golf at the age of eight on the now-closed Ammaia course. His qualifications – including a degree in sports sciences focused on biomechanics and motion analysis and coaching training from the Portuguese Golf Federation – are perfectly aligned with his new roles.
Peter Thornton, one of Espiche’s owners, conveys the genuine passion behind the course’s development and the recent initiative. As an independent company, they take a unique approach compared to more commercially driven organisations. “As custodians of this beautiful land, we prioritise environmental stewardship,” he states. The driving range’s borders have been designed to provide a dense habitat for local wildlife, showcasing responsible development that aligns with the ethos of the entire course.
With the ongoing improvements and dedication of all involved, the Espiche Golf Academy is set to establish itself as one of the Algarve’s most sought-after teaching and practice facilities. Congratulations and best of luck to all who are part of this exciting new chapter.
For lessons, contact:
Fraser Cramb: Fraser.cpgolf@gmail.com
Gonçalo Pinto: Gonçalo.cpgolf@gmail.com
João Tomaz: joao.cpgolf@gmail.com
