Portugal to Host First-Ever PGA TOUR Champions Event at The Els Club Vilamoura
We’re proud to announce that the 2026 PGA TOUR Champions schedule includes a landmark event for European golf: the inaugural Portugal Invitational at The Els Club Vilamoura.
As the first-ever PGA TOUR Champions event to be held in Europe, and hosted by the legendary Ernie Els, this tournament reinforces Portugal’s standing as one of the world’s leading golf and leisure destinations. From 27 July to 2 August 2026, The Els Club will welcome 78 of the sport’s greatest players.
For Arrow, this event represents the realisation of a long-term investment vision built around high-quality, income-generating hospitality and leisure assets. Through our ownership of The Els Club Vilamoura and our wider portfolio of hotels, golf courses and marinas across Southern Europe, we are committed to developing destinations that offer enduring economic, cultural and social value.
John Calvão, Partner and Fund Principal at Arrow, said: “We are delighted that The Els Club has made the cut for the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. This achievement reflects the dedication of our Details hospitality team, who are building something truly special in Southern Europe.”
Read the PGA Tour Champions press release here
John Calvao
Fund Principal
John Calvao is a Partner and Fund Principal at Arrow. John is a key senior member of the team, overseeing Arrow’s Southern European investments and hospitality assets. John also heads the M&A and Markets Development Teams at Arrow.
During his tenure at Arrow, John has previously led the development of Arrow’s investment and operation capability in both Portugal and Italy as Country CEO.
Before joining Arrow in 2010, John spent over 15 years in various senior positions in international capital market institutions, including COO of MIAC Assurance Corporation, Head of Operations at SCA, which he joined after an independent consultant role overseeing the build out of the first independent NPL servicing company in Portugal, and CIO at Clayton.
John began his career at MBIA.