Algarve Golf Holidays - Vilamoura, San Lorenzo Golfing Breaks


		The golf courses of the Algarve

Vilamoura Victoria
Architect: A. Palmer (2004)
18 holes: 6505m: Par 72.
The latest addition to the Vilamoura golf resort - and probably the toughest challenge of all. Across fairly open terrain, Mr. Palmer has created a visual masterpiece. with beautifully crafted water hazards cascading around the course.

Vilamoura Victoria

Vilamoura Old
Architect: F. Pennink.
18 holes: 6254 m: Par 73.
The first course built at Vilamoura in 1969 and extensively upgraded in 1997. The overwhelming feature of the course is the umbrella pines, which line almost every one of the tight testing fairways, and only one water hazard. Exemplary standards of greenkeeping and comfortable modern Clubhouse.

Vilamoura Pinhal
Architect: F. Pennink.
18 holes: 6353m: Par 72.
Very similar in style to the “Old” but one immediately senses a little more room between the pines on the generally broader flatter fairways. The course extends over a large area between holiday villas that split the course into three sections. Water only comes into play on the two furthest holes. A very pretty course with another fine Clubhouse.

Vilamoura Pinhal

Vilamoura Millennium
Architect: M. Hawtree.
18 holes: 6157m: Par 72.
Sharing the same Clubhouse with the Laguna course the Millennium seems to bridge the old and the new in Vilamoura. Some holes are in the traditional Algarvian mode, meandering through the towering pines, the others much more open in style with water (and whatever wind is abroad) coming into play towards the close.

Vilamoura Laguna
Architect: J. Lee & R. Rocquemore.
18 holes: 6111m: Par 72.
Intertwined with the Millennium the Laguna course contrasts markedly with all the other pine-lined courses. Not for the aquaphobic, with water very present on eleven holes. The course plays out in the broad sunlight, over hummocks and hollows; this is a thought-provoking layout, where placement of the ball off the Tee is a necessity to ensure a successful round.

Vilamoura Laguna

San Lorenzo
Architect: J. Lee.
18 holes: 6238m: Par 72.
One of the most exclusive courses on the Algarve, realistically playable only by residents at the Dona Filipa hotel. The course begins in traditional Algarvian style under the spreading parasol pines. These soon give way to the visually stunning central and closing sections that run through the nature reserve of the Ria Formosa bordering the coast. Indubitably one of the finest courses on the Algarve.

Vale do Lobo – Royal
Architect: H. Cotton.
18 holes: 6059m: Par 72.
A very challenging course renowned for its cliff-top 16th hole – which is truly spectacular. The other seventeen holes however are more characterised by pines and dazzling white sands, with occasional outcrops of gnarled fig trees. Almost every shot is a visual delight.

Vale do Lobo - Royal

Vale do Lobo - Ocean

Vale do Lobo – Ocean
Architect: R. Rocquemore.
18 holes: 5815m: Par 72.
A front nine that is not so ensconced in pines as the Royal with a couple of holes that break out of the resort into the marshlands by the ocean. The back nine is a real treat that will have you lingering over your approaches into magnificent green placements against the backdrop of palms and Atlantic rollers.

Quinta do Lago – North
Architect: R. Rocquemore.
18 holes: 6205m: Par 72.
Classic Algarvian golf as you pick your way through parasol pines, ice-white sands and past exotic looking villas. Most of the par-fours are dog-legs where the right to left shot is theoretically advantageous: some very testing par fives too. The first Tee is a little way from the Clubhouse and there are some walks from Green to Tee so a buggy is worth considering.

Quinta do Lago - North

Quinta do Lago - South

Quinta do Lago – South
Architect: W. Mitchell.
18 holes: 6488m: Par 72.
Very similar to the North course in terms of terrain, however the holes that will linger longest are around the middle of the course where you head down to criss-cross the lakes over some very testing holes. One of the longer courses, so hope (pray) that your driver is behaving.

Vila Sol
Architect: D. Steel.
3 x 9 holes: 6335m: Par 72.
Ostensibly level terrain with a few elevated Tees and Greens here and there, Vila Sol feels as if the landscape has naturally dictated the course with the architect adding a few finishing touches here and there rather than huge earth moving exercises. Three loops of 9 holes, combined into three 18 holes courses each day, adds to the variety.

Vila Sol

Pinheiros Altos
Architect: R. Fream.
18 holes: 6057m: Par 71.
Two very contrasting nines: the front nine is quite tight and demands a degree of control to safely negotiate the hills and dog-legs; the back nine is flatter and water comes into play – frequently. Beautifully incorporated into the course design, these water hazards are a visual dream and a golfing nightmare! The climax of the 17th and 18th is unforgettable.

Other courses to consider:-
East of Faro there are some very interesting new golf developments at Quinta da Ria, Quinta de Cima, Castro Marim and even over the border into Spain.
Heading further West, Penina is easily reachable for a day’s golf.

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