Oceanico is based on the Algarve, and specialises in property and hotel development aligned to golf courses. The acquisitions in Sao Miguel will see major investment in the golf courses, and at Batalha, there will also be a new hotel and discreet developments of apartments and villas.

Golf is scheduled to become the major attraction in the future, and the potential is tremendous. The island of Sao Miguel is the largest in the group, and has the largest population; the two golf courses are of excellent pedigree. They blend into the landscape of hills and valleys, ravines and stands of Japanese cedar trees. The oldest, Furnas Golf Club was opened in 1936, it was designed by the famed Mackenzie Ross, and typical of his design concepts, it has small undulating greens that can be a joy and a torment.

It was originally a nine hole layout, and it was increased to eighteen holes some fifty years after the opening by Cameron Powell. Their architects managed to blend the new holes into the existing, so that they are indistinguishable from the original. The result is a delightful test of golf, narrow fairways, lakes and changes in elevation, but with views that demand attention.

The same year, 1986 was the opening of the Batalha Golf course, also designed by Cameron Powell, it is sited much closer to the main town of Ponta Delgado. It has twenty seven holes, three loops of nine holes that can be selected to give three very different eighteens. Once again, the views all around the course are dramatic, pictorial memories that will stay long after the visit.

The drive to Furnas takes about forty minutes ( a new road is under construction and which will radically reduce this) turns in the road give spectacular seascapes stretching to the horizon, and make the drive appear part of the days enjoyment. At 6232 metres, it is a real test, and the course is defined in the first few holes, avenues of cedars and then lakes, which are repeated on several holes, the small greens difficult to find, and hard to read, very fast on any downhill putt.

The par 5?s are tough and test the driver to the full. It is hard to select a signature hole, though one of my personal favourites is the 6th, a marvellous dogleg, short par 4, out of bounds right and a lake guarding the left side of the fairway, and a small green to finish off. After a stop at the half way hut for refreshment, there is a stretch where accuracy is more important than length, before the finishing stretch, which is a challenge all the way to the clubhouse. Once there, the welcome is warm, and the food and drink will soothe the battered spirit.

Batalha is a contrast, more generous Bermuda grass fairways, large greens, but still in beautiful condition, fast and true. The changes in elevation make the holes seem long, and the lakes make the approach shots more demanding. Whichever sequence of loops you choose, you will use every club in the bag, and when the wind blows, use them more times than you would want.

I had several favourites, the first hole on the 'A' loop, and all the par 3,s , variety and challenge. These islands may have been undiscovered for many years, but when travelling golfers find out about the location, they will return many times. These courses have already attracted Europro Tour events and the Portuguese PGA Championships, both providing highly complimentary and fully warranted feedback.

The sponsorship of Oceanico has been vital, in the words of Gerry Fagan 'sharing and repaying some of the benefits of golf related development'. To ensure that the courses will reflect their commitment to quality, they have appointed world renowned Troon Golf as the management and operating company for the courses. A measure of the importance they place in having them in the best condition for the discerning golfer. A look over the gallery of pictures will hopefully give an indication of the beauty, style and challenge waiting to be faced.

The welcome and hospitality will simply have to be experienced. The icing on the cake is the value for money, the cost of dining and generally going out will be a very pleasant surprise. Be on the look out for 'cozido das furnes', a stew which is actually cooked underground by the heat of the volcanic springs. The Azores offers excellent fayre, as a cattle farming region, with the sea all around, there could not be a wider choice. Fine produce for the master chefs, from which to conjure marvellous menus.

When I received my invite, I had to look up where the islands were located, mid way between Portugal and the USA, however, like all good golfing venues, this place will soon become very familiar to keen golfers. There are already numerous high quality hotels, catering for the tourist, whether golfer or other leisure orientated, and the new developments will add a new high quality dimension.

Currently there are weekly direct flights from London to Sao Miguel, and in 2007 these will be increased, as well as new services from Ireland. Both these changes will bring more golfers to enjoy Azores Islands Golf.