| _ | | _ | | | Lying close to the spectacular Algarve coastline and the Vilamoura marina, Vilamoura Laguna Golf Course represents an enduring challenge to the player due to the constant presence of water. Designed by Joseph Lee, the course takes full advantage of the wet, marshy ground near the sea and presents a rather different layout from the other three Vilamoura courses. Here the golfer can drive off more confidently, because of the greater fairway width and less vegetation. On the course, besides the bunkers, water is a near-constant hazard. And although visually intimidating, the hurdles are not unsurmountable, given that the course is not particularly long. | | | _ | | _ | | | Vilamoura's fourth course is a combination of a remodeled nine holes from the Laguna course, together with nine newly built holes, to form the Millennium Course - opened on May 13th, 2000. 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. The 'tiger tees' (four different tees for each hole) raise the challenge and competitiveness of the course, but the wide fairways and greens ensure that the Millennium is an enjoyable course for all levels. | | | _ | | _ | | | Situated in the heart of the Vilamoura seaside resort a mere 20-minute drive from Faro airport, this Frank Pennink designed parkland style layout is one of the oldest in the region and renowned all over the golfing world. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pinetrees - the principal hazard - over gently undulating natural terrain. Although it opened in 1969, the course was completely renovated and modernized 27 years later although no major changes were made to the magnificent layout. In addition to raising the Vilamoura Old Course to new heights of quality, an attractive new clubhouse and adjacent putting green were also built at that time. | | | _ | | _ | | | The previous owners invested 18 million euros in Oceƒnico'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. Oceƒnico'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. | | | _ | | _ | | | With views of the Bay of Lagos and the historic town of Lagos, as well as the Monchique mountains to the north, Palmares Golf has truly earned its reputation as one of the most scenic of all the Algarve courses. As well, the blossoms of its almond trees, acacia and flowering shrubs during springtime have also helped earn the club this honour. Palmares was designed by the renowned English golf architect Frank Pennick and the course uses its natural resources to advantage. There are five links holes on the front nine, located along the sand dunes of Meia Praia beach; the other 13 holes are laid out on the gently rolling hills. Palmares is located 2 km east of Lagos. | | | _ | | _ | | | The course has two architects. The American William Mitchell designed holes 1 to 5 and 15 to 18 in 1974. These holes (as with the other course) share a unique character. The terrain is superb and typical of the area, sandy and littered with umbrella pines trees. In the spring, the rough is covered with a blanket of wild flowers, heather and gorse. The fairways and tees are covered with Bermuda hybrid with a cool season mixture of grasses, which provides year-round, top quality swards. The greens are sown with Creeping Bentgrass Penncross, giving a fast, true putting surface, and which provide good all-year round putting surfaces. The bunkering is incomparable, both on the fairways and surrounding the greens and gives the course an advantage over many of similar quality and design.This course has four great par-5 holes requiring power and accuracy to play them well, also providing superb views. | | | _ | | _ | | | Designed by William Mitchell from the USA and opened in 1974, the Quinta do Lago South course was used eight times for the "Portuguese Open Championship". It has also hosted many large professional and amateur championships. The favourite of many tour players, this course offers the possibility to hit the greens in regulation in several ways. However, each hole has one easy route and the player who sees this, and has the skill to follow the designer's intention, and produce sub-par figures. An anti-clockwise loop, it favours the draw shot. This course favours the long hitter, but requires the player to pick a particular route to score well. Although both anti-clockwise loops, the first nine favours a draw, while the second favours a fade from the tee. Holes 3, 15 and 17 features lakes, which must be negotiated. An enjoyable experience for players of all standards. | | | _ | | _ | | | The Royal Golf Course has rolling fairways set amidst pine trees and beautiful lakes surrounded by wild flowers. Its features include the almost island green of the 9th and the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover - one of the most celebrated golfing images in the world, which has become the veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve. The Royal Golf Course was designed by top American golf architect Rocky Roquemore, based on original drawings made by Sir Henry Cotton. It was inaugurated in 1997. | | | _ | | _ | | | The Ocean Golf Course features undulating fairways which run alongside nature reserve, before leading gently down to the shores of the Atlantic. Its emblematic holes are two challenging and spectacular Par 4s, the 11th and the 14th, which treat golfers to some of the most spectacular views in the Algarve - and the Par 3 15th, which runs alongside the beach. The Ocean Course is composed of two of the original 9-hole golf courses designed by Sir Henry Cotton, which were opened in 1968 and 1972. His plans for the merged course became reality in 1995, after his death. | | | _ | | _ | | | The first course designed by English golf architect Donald Steel in Portugal. The natural undulating terrain of the area was preserved, as were the variations of level, which resulted in superb views from the 4th, 5th, and 6th tees, as well as the elevated tee on the 13th hole. The beautiful flora provides a natural hazard, punishing inaccurate shots in the rough. The course is professionally maintained at all times. Vila Sol presents a superb challenge to middle handicap golfers. The course has an excellent driving range which is landscaped with rolling contours and trees. Tee time intervals are 10 minutes apart. | | | | | | | | Custom Trip Quote to Algarve | | | | | | | | | | |
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