It’s a well-known fact in golf circles that Cabell B. Robinson has designed some of the most famous and recognisable golf courses in Europe.

Aphrodite Hills, Praia D’El Rey, La Reserva and Finca Cortesin – venue for the 2023 Solheim Cup – the names just trip off the tongue and all bear the stamp of the world-renowned American architect.

But did you know that you’ll find another of his finest creations if you venture a little further afield on the continent and head to the idyllic island destination of Madeira?

The venue in question is Palheiro Golf, just a short drive away from Madeira’s capital, Funchal. Opened in 1993, the course is situated within the magnificent Palheiro Estate, which is more than 200 years old.

Arguably one of Robinson’s finest course designs in Europe, it is one of three outstanding 18-hole layouts on the Portuguese archipelago with Clube de Golfe do Santo da Serra and Porto Santo, and together, they have combined to impressive effect to help make the island one of Europe’s most popular emerging golf destinations.

Palheiro’s layout borders the five-star Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro and meanders through a pristine environment of maritime pine and botanical woodland, garnished with lush, sub-tropical vegetation.

At nearly 1,640 ft above sea level, it’s pretty spectacular with the location enjoying dramatic views of Madeira’s mountainous skyline and the vast Atlantic Ocean, as well as – nestling below, just ten minutes away from Funchal.

The par-72, 6,656-yard course takes full advantage of Madeira’s hilly terrain, with abrupt ridges and deep valleys. It is listed inside continental Europe’s top 200 in one benchmark course ranking, and the presence of a splendid hotel, secured a spot for Palheiro in the top 80 in two recent ‘best European golf resort’ lists.

For non-golfers, Casa Velha do Palheiro offers the ideal place to relax and unwind, with facilities including a luxury hotel, spa with indoor and outdoor pools and more than 20 kilometres of nature trails, birdwatching, restaurants and bars.

Up until recently, Madeira has been more well-known globally for its wine than its golf offering but times have changed, and the islands’ golf product is living proof of what can be achieved with a clear and coherent national strategy, and with golf clubs, hotels and tourist boards all pulling in the same direction.

While many sectors of the golf-travel industry have struggled to adapt to the changing needs of COVID, it’s been a more positive story in Madeira, with the archipelago one of the few travel success stories during the pandemic.

Players from the UK and across northern Europe headed in increasing numbers last autumn to enjoy world-class golf and numerous other attractions in a safe and secure environment.

And Madeira is in prime position to be a favoured destination again when international travel resumes, with Discover Madeira – the consumer-facing brand of the Madeira Promotion Bureau – already having published updated guidelines for incoming visitors who have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID.

In addition to Palheiro, Madeira features two other breathtaking courses – Clube de Golfe do Santo da Serra, also on the mainland, and Porto Santo.

Robert Trent Jones Snr’s redesign of Santo da Serra – which dates originally from 1937 – in 1991 created a spectacular 27-hole complex in one of Europe’s most beautiful natural landscapes, with views of Porto Santo and the bay of Machico.

The Machico and Desertas nines form the 6,825-yard championship course on which the European Tour’s Madeira Islands Open was held on ten occasions.

The third and fourth on the Machico are regarded as the signature holes, sitting atop cliffs more than 2,200ft above the Atlantic.

If you’re looking for something a little less demanding but equally as enjoyable, try the 3,193-yard Serras course which offers a delightful alternative, with lakes and mountain views along flatter terrain.

A short, 20-minute flight – or a two-and-a-half hour boat cruise – will cover the 27 miles between Madeira and the archipelago’s eastern-most island, Porto Santo, home to the islands’ third course, Porto Santo Golfe, which hosted the Madeira Islands Open between 2009 and 2011.

Laid out by Severiano Ballesteros, the 7,036-yard course, which opened in 2004 and was built to environmentally conscious standards, comprises two distinct nines, spanning an area from sand dunes to basalt cliffs.

The US-style southern route is dotted with lakes, requiring a long, precise game; while the northern route is atop yet more fantastic cliffs, near a stunning beach, also called Porto Santo. The signature hole is undoubtedly the 200-yard, par-three 13th, which requires a shot over a gorge to reach a cliff-top green.

With a selection of quality hotel, self-catering and all-inclusive options, Madeira has all angles covered when it comes to choosing the accommodation and location for a golf holiday.

The choice is just as good away from the fairways, with dolphin and whale-watching trips, nature jeep tours, climbing and canyoning and an array of restaurants serving the finest local cuisine among the treats on offer.

And with stringent rules in place for everyone flying into Madeira airport to maintain utmost safety during the COVID pandemic – anyone who has been fully vaccinated against the virus will be exempt from the mandatory free testing procedure upon arrival, providing they present official documentation – Madeira appears to have all angles covered to allow golf travel to get back to something approaching normal.

Now I’ll raise a glass to that.