THE ALGARVE

 

Built in 1966, the 18-hole par 73 Championship Algarve Golf Course is Sir Henry Cotton’s masterpiece – the course by which he wished to be remembered. Originally paddy fields for rice growing rice has been converted into a flat challenging course and especially for the stronger player. Something short of half a million shrubs and trees were planted in the conversion. As the fairways are flat Henry Cotton introduced strategically placed water hazards to catch the unwary long hitter. This Championship Golf Course was the first course in the Algarve and it has been ranked ever since amongst Europe Top 100.

The resort also encompasses two 9-hole facilities, The Resort Course, a pleasant Par 35 with 2,987 metres; and The Academy Course, a Par 30 with 1,851 metres. The Hotel rises above the 360 acre wooded estate, providing beautiful views of the golf course and lush countryside with the backdrop of the Monchique range.

While Le Meridien Penina is recognised for its golf courses, it also offers an amazing range of other sporting and leisure facilities, with a choice of training programmes for all ages and abilities. These include a FIFA-sized football pitch, jogging circuit, Olympic size swimming pool and fitness studios with sauna and massage services, while The Tennis Academy has six floodlit courts and a resident pro. The Penguin Village is both fun and educational, where children are occupied while parents may relax or practice their favourite sport. A courtesy hotel shuttle runs to Alvor Beach in summer, where a private area is available for clients, equipped with sun lounges, shades and towel service.

Portimao is the Algarve’s main fishing port and both the fishing industry and tourist fishing trips thrive here. You’ve a choice of divine Algarve beaches around the location, including one of the best beaches on the Algarve - Praia da Rocha. There are historic buildings and stylish architecture as well as the new Algarve villas and additionally Portimao also benefits from a developing new marina offering a choice of more chic restaurants, bars and shops.

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Golf Algarve is now renowned for its beautifully tended golf courses with spectacular scenery along a fabulous coastline. The main Algarve golf season is from late autumn to late spring as most northern European countries suffer from cold and wet conditions. Winters are mild in southern Portugal and golfers can enjoy warm, sunny days and keep their swings smooth at a time when their home courses are unplayable.

It was the legendary Sir Henry Cotton who put the Algarve on the golf globe. In 1966, at Penina, he designed the first proper grass course from a rice field after the necessary earthworks and planting 300,000 trees. Tourism was becoming more popular in the Algarve and immediately after the Penina course was inaugurated, the courses at Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura appeared. A few years later, another emblem of world golf was built - the first golf course at Quinta do Lago.

Though none of the existing courses are more than 15km from the coast, the terrain varies from the steep hillsides of Parque da Floresta to the near sea-level flatlands of Vilamoura III and Salgados, which in common with Palmares, includes links holes.

The mainly arid Algarve countryside, familiar to summer visitors, gives way to verdant oasis at each of the golf complexes thanks to large, state-funded water catchments and distribution schemes, as well as private boreholes which tap into subterranean water sources for irrigation. Holes made tricky by water hazards are, therefore, not an infrequent feature on the Algarve courses.

The Importance of international golf in the Algarve is so evident that, by tacit agreement , the Open de Portugal is held there at least every other year.In general, you will find that the Algarve, with its mild climate, reasonably priced restaurants, breathtaking scenery, friendly people and excellent golf courses, all combine to make it a memorable holiday.

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Benamor Golf Club is located just a few kilometres east of the ancient city of Tavira and was completed in the spring of 2000. In the nearby hills of Barrocal you will enjoy some of the best mountain and sea views the Algarve has to offer whilst golfing in the Algarve. But maybe most enjoyable of all, is the peaceful dream location and surroundings of a construction free golf Algarve resort… possibly the only one in the Algarve.

The course was officially opened in 2000. It is a par 71 and is undulating, although not excessively so, offering views over the mountains to one side and the sea to the other. Here, the most common trees are the carob, the olive-tree and the fig-tree. In each half of the course, the first few holes are the easiest to play and birdies can be obtained without too much difficulty, although the following ones are longer and therefore harder to play. The greens are reasonably wide and the ball is retained here quite easily.The strategic placed bunkers and occasional water hazards make the course a never too comfortable experience!

The first hole is a par 4 dogleg with an elevated green protected by bunkers. Many of the par 4s on the front nine are relatively short, so this course is friendly to all playing levels. On the back nine, water comes into play on the 10th hole, a par 3 over water, on the 13th where a stream crosses the fairway, and on the 17th where a pond guards the green. To finish, there is a long par 5 of 512 metres. The 18th green is backed by a charming Algarvean church. There is a driving range, putting and chipping greens, putting course as well as the pro sho.

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Boavista Golf Club in the Algarve offers superb facilities in a uniquely sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere and is already attracts people from all over the world. It opened on 1st January 2002 with the impressive 18 Hole Championship golf course being designed by Howard Swan.

The resort is a prestigious 260 acre site in the western Algarve and lies in a prime location just off the A22 motorway west of Lagos and only 45 minutes drive from Faro International Airport.

With two distinctive sections the course is a par 71, 6,053 long and offers a variety of holes commencing with the welcoming first hole, a meandering downhill par 4, bordered by beautiful sub-tropical landscaping leading to harmoniously designed properties.
The signature hole on the outward nine is the stunning par 4, 7th hole set against a glorious backdrop of the Atlantic ocean with exhilarating panoramic views extending from Praia da Luz round to with the hills at Monchique creating a spectacular backdrop. Umbrella pines, blossoming almond, fig, palm and olive trees line the rolling fairways, weaving their way between water hazards and carefully placed bunkers. Breathtaking views, spectacular scenery and the clear Atlantic Ocean, which is visible from most holes, all combine to make this course a delight for the golfer.

The new clubhouse provides guests with a range of wining, dining and relaxation facilities. Enjoy the best of Mediterranean cuisine on the terrace of the Clubhouse that overlooks the 18th hole. There is also a teaching academy, driving range, pitching and chipping area, practice bunkers, putting green and pro shop.
The Boavista resort has everything you could desire…a fabulous championship golf course and golf academy, clubhouse, restaurant, indoor & outdoor heated swimming pools, children’s pools, a luxurious health club/spa including jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, massage facilities, beauticians and gymnasium as well as a tennis academy with two floodlit courts, five-a-side football pitch and a safe children’s play area.

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Alto Golf and Country Club, located in Alvor in Portugal’s Western Algarve, is set in beautifully landscaped gardens, with villas apartments golf and townhouses, many with superb views of the sea, the golf course or the fabulous gardens. It was opened in June l99l, in the presence of the Portuguese President. It is located between Alvor and Praia da Rocha, and 5 kilometres from the city of Portimao.

The 18 hole, Par 72 golf course, spans across two gently sloping valleys and runs to 6125 meters from the back tees. The opening nine holes offer fine views over the bay of Lagos. The back nine, set on rolling slopes, include the remarkable Henry Cotton Challenge, the longest Par 5 in Europe.

Alto Golf has a first class driving range (with both grass and all weather mats), a practice bunker, a putting green and a short game target green. There is also a well appointed Club House overlooking the 18th green. The glass fronted entrance opens into a large shop and reception area. There is a bar and restaurant with terraces.

The country club nearby has a combination of luxury dream homes including villas apartments for sale, set around stunningly landscaped gardens.

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