Portugal, Algarve- Golf Courses
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| THE ROYAL COURSE | |
| Far more difficult than The Ocean Course with more water and bunkers and generally longer holes. The par 3 16th is one of the most famous holes in Portugal where you have to hit the ball across 3 spectacular cliffs to reach the green over 200 metres away . Not cheap but very good .. | |
| VALE de PINTA | |
| The course runs through an old olive grove and designed by an American architect it has many features more familiar to visitors from America. There are wide deep greens protected by large bunkers and with different tees for varying standards of golfer the challenges posed by the course are adaptable to differing levels of skill. The course is also home to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. | |
| VILAMOURA - LAGUNA | |
| Situated close to the coastline and with water as a constant presence, the 3 loops of 9 holes provide an interesting challenge for any player. Different in character to the other Vilamoura courses here the fairways are wider and water and strategic bunkering are the main challenge facing the player. | |
| VILAMOURA - MILLENIUM | |
| Part open parkland with holes weaving between umbrella pines this well designed course opened in 2000 hence the name . The course is particularly open, although some holes (the 3rd to the 7th) wind between pine trees and are similar to the neighbouring fairways of the Old Course and Pinhal.In this more wooded area, the fairways are narrower and require greater accuracy - while the rest of the course has a clear landscape enriched by lakes at the 4th, 17th and 18th holes. | |
| VILAMOURA - THE OLD COURSE | |
| A classic Pennink design with fairways lined with picturesque but punishing umbrella pines. Always regarded as one of the best courses in the Algarve it opened in 1969 so is thoroughly established Itt has held the Portugese Open and the holes follow the gently undulating terrain as they wind through the indigenous trees . | |
| VILAMOURA - PINHAL | |
| Inaugurated in 1976, Pinhal Golf Course was originally designed by the Briton Frank Pennink. Later, 1985, it was partly redesigned by the North-American Robert Trent Jones, who introduced new challenges into the course thus giving an interesting chance to experience American and traditional design styles on the same course .Built in the middle of a beautiful pine wood, with panoramic views over the sea, one of the main characteristics of this course is the small size of its greens, requiring great precision from the golfer in terms of approach shots. | |
| VILAMOURA VICTORIA | |
| The previous owners invested 18 million euros in Oceânico’s Victoria Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer, one of the greatest legends of the sport. This was the most ambitious golf project in Portugal, and was aimed at being one of the best golf complexes in the whole of Europe The Victoria Clube de Golfe will be the fifth at Vilamoura and the most exclusive one at the resort, making it ideal to became the Algarve's and Portugal's major venue for top international tournaments. Palmer, whose design company has planned some 500 layouts worldwide, compiled the Victoria course project, and Southern Golf, Europe's largest golf course builder, was awarded the construction contract. Oceânico’s Victoria Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship layout, measuring 6.560 meters (7,105 yards) from the back tees. Several man-made lakes provide hazards for the players and also serve as water reservoirs for irrigation |
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| VILAMOURA FALDO | |
Designed by Nick Faldo with strategic play in mind this 6,604 meters par-72 championship course demands careful positioning to score well.In a modern twist of a traditional recipe, cacti and wild herbs replace the role of Sunningdale’s heather, spartan Holm oaks and ancient olive trees take the place of a lush English woodland, and desert scrub bunkers of crushed limestone replace Berkshire’s sandy tracts in a golf course that revels in the classic principles of strategic play."Faldo said "The real skill is that when you stand on the tee, the golf hole tells you what to do and if you do what it tells you there is reward but if you don’t you’re penalised. I’ve managed to get the more undulating land on the site and my back nine is going to be quite hilly, which is fantastic because we’ve got some great views to complement the course." |
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| VILAMOURA OCONNOR | |
Perfectly complementing the Faldo Course, whilst taking advantage of the rich valley soil in contrast to the arid hillside, Christy O'Connor Jnr's course at Amendoeira offers no less of a challenge.Large areas of water demand accurate play and creative shot making, and these lakes and streams are to be maintained as a wildlife sanctuary.Christy's 18th hole brings the course to a fantastic finish, a gentle climb with the river running along the right hand side.'This hole is a humdinger,' he smiled. 'And once you get up here and look down on the golf course, you will feel you have been blessed.' |
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| VILA SOL | |
One of the more challenging courses on the Algarve . This Donald Steel designed course has twice hosted the Portugese Open . Each hole winds through the cork, fig and umbrella pine trees presenting a narrow target from off the tee. The well positioned bunkers then guard the undulating greens which are usually on the quick side . An additional 9 holes opened a few years ago to make this an exciting 27 hole complex. |
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