The first nine-hole Achada das Fumas golf course was built between l936 and l939, based on a design by Mackenzie Ross. It is situated on São Miguel Island, «the green island», near the grottoes or furnas, and the lake with that name, places which show the volcanic origin of these islands. 

A new nine-hole course designed by Cameron Powell has been added to the previous one and is now a 6,177-metre long par 71. It maintains the character given by Mackenzie Ross, so much so that it is impossible to say nowadays which two nines was designed first. The separation of the fairways is almost always made by cryptomerias, large trees that, in our opinion, are the most suitable for the purpose. The course has all the characteristics of a Scottish one and it is the most British of all Portuguese golf courses. Practically every fairway is undulated, requiring all types of shots, and the greens are excellent and full of borrows.

[In O Golfe em Portugal - Fernando Nunes Pedro - Texto Editora-Andersen Consulting]
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