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Our selected golf courses: Algarve - Vilamoura - Vila Sol
| Oceanico - 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.
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Oceanico - 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.
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| Oceanico - 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.
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Oceanico - 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.
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Oceanico - 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.
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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.
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| 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.
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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. |
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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.
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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 Monte Rei, Quinta da
Ria and Quinta de Cima and also at Castro
Marim, not forgetting Islantilla over the border into Spain.
Heading further West, Penina and the other courses of the western Algarve are easily reachable for a day’s golf.
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