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CLUB
V & B
Your
Golf Club in Iberia
Golf
Course Reviews
V & B GOLF
LAGOS
Boa Vista
This relatively new development on high ground to the west of
Lagos has an 18 hole course with a par of 71 and measuring
6053 metres designed by Howard Swan.
The course is already in very good
condition and has some spectacular views over the ocean and
the town of Lagos. There are water features on several of the
holes and the course has a wide variety of holes. We feel that
Boa Vista will soon become one of the favourites.
There is a Clubhouse with a bar and restaurant as well as
changing rooms and Golf Shop. A driving range, Putting and
Chipping greens are amongst the facilities. The resort also
has Tennis courts.
Palmares
Close to Lagos it is one of the original courses of the
Algarve and universally regarded as one of the best. It enjoys
some amazing coastal views over the bay of Lagos and Alvor
estuary. The course measurers 5961 metres and has a par of 71.
The early holes are in links type country close to the sea and
the par 5 fifth must be one of the great holes of the Algarve.
After the 8th hole one climbs into the fig and
almond orchards amongst the rolling hills above Meia Praia.
The view from the 17th tee is
spectacular and the hole itself is an interesting dog leg par
5.
The
superbly sited Clubhouse has a bar with snacks and light meals
available. The reception, Pro-Shop and Changing Rooms are in a
separate building. There is a Driving Range, Putting and
chipping green. Clubs, trollies and buggies are available for
hire.
Parque da
Floresta
Some 18 miles west of Lagos and only 20 minutes
from cape St. Vincent this course is built in the wild hills
and valleys above the beach and fishing village of Salema.
Spanish maestro Pepe Gancedo designed the original 18holes and
although some changes have been made to make the course easier
to play, it still retains much of its original character.
It measures 5.670 metres with a par of
72. There are so many interesting holes but perhaps the 5
short holes are its main feature. The stroke index 1 par five
9th hole is probably the most feared hole on the Algarve.
The superb Clubhouse overlooks 10th tee
and the 18th green and has a good bar, splendid restaurant and
locker rooms. There is also a Pro-Shop, as well as excellent
practice facilities. Clubs, trollies and buggies are available
for hire.
The resort also has a Bowls Club, Tennis
Club, Archery, Horse Riding and a Health & Beauty Spa.
PORTIMAO
Penina
The
world famous Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort is in Alvor
just a few kilometres from Portimão.
Sir
Henry Cotton not only designed the famous 18 hole Penina
Championship course but was also its resident
Professional/Public Relations Maestro for many years. The
course was built from reclaimed rice fields and now has an
abundance of eucalyptus and other trees and shrubs which
shelter an enormous amount of bird life
“The
Penina” has a par of 73 and measures. From its back tees it
is a real test with lots of discreet water courses making
careful play a necessity. In addition there is the 9th hole
resort course of 2987 metres (Par 35) and the tricky Academy
course of 1851 metres (Par 30).
For
the Clubhouse the Penina Courses use the 5 star Le Meridien
Penina Hotel where there is a golfers bar, snack bar, pro-Shop
and Changing Rooms. The practice facilities include Driving
Range, putting Green and Chipping green. Clubs, buggies and
trollies are available for hire.
Morgado de Reguengo
A few kilometres inland from Portimão in the foothills of the
Monchique mountains this new course has already captured the
imagination of golf aficionados in the Algarve. The first nine
holes are relatively flat with plenty of water to add
interest, the second nine in gently rolling hills. Good holes
include the par 5 third hole which with water on left and out
of bounds on the right needs careful play. On the back nine
the short 11th is pleasing to play well. The downhill 14th a
dog leg par 4 with lake on left is a testing hole. The longish
par 4 finishing hole is a satisfying way to end ones round.
The architecturally stunning Clubhouse fits very well into its
natural surrounds, there is a good bar and restaurant, small
golf shop and changing facilities. Practice facilities include
Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens. Trollies, buggies
and clubs are available for hire.
Alto Golf
Near Alvor and Portimão in the west of the Algarve
this 18 hole course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton. It is
famous for the longest par 5 in Europe. Wild hitters might
find the narrow fairways and tight greens rather tricky but
Alto is a course, which you will want to play again and again.
Starting unusually with a par 3 the course soon begins to
challenge. It measures 6125 metres and has a Par of 72. It is
definitely a thinking golfers course.
There is a very attractive modern
Clubhouse with a terrace overlooking the 18th
green, it has bar and restaurant, changing rooms and a
Pro-shop. In addition there is a driving Range, Putting and
Chipping green. Clubs, buggies and trollies are available for
hire.
FARO
Vale do
Lobo
Close to Quinta do Lago and Almancil and within easy reach
of Faro and one of the earliest golf developments in the
Algarve the original course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton.
The more recent golf construction has resulted in two most
excellent 18 hole courses.
The Ocean Course is a mixture of parkland
and links type holes with some stunning views over the sea and
the sands. The course measures 5815 metres and has a par of
72.
The more recent Royal Course made up of
part of the old original course with some addition holes added
by “Rocky” Roquemore. It includes the famous (7th
hole of the old course) now the 16th hole,which is
an incredible par 3 of 205 metres over the ravines in the sand
stone cliffs. Altogether a great course measuring 6059metres
and having a par of 72. The elegant Clubhouse has a bar, snack
and restaurant.
There is a Pro-Shop, Golf Academy,
Putting Green and Chipping Green, Clubs, Buggies and trollies
are available for hire.
TAVIRA
Benamor
Situated about 10 minutes from the centre of Tavira. Although
only a few years old Benamor was the first golf course to be
built east of Faro, gently undulating and with undemanding
early holes the course develops and there are plenty of
challenges for golfers of all standards.
The 5th hole an uphill par 5
needs careful management to secure a par, the 8th
hole a long par 3 can also be difficult. One of the most
attractive holes is the 10th also a par 3 over a
lake with trouble on the left. The final three holes a long
par 4; a tricky par 3 and the par 5 eighteenth hole provide a
good finishing test.
The course measures 5.500 metres has a
par of 69 with a SSS of 71. In addition to a very attractive
clubhouse with terrace overlooking 1st tee and 9th
green which provides good food and a friendly bar, there is an
excellent, pro-shop and locker room. The practice facilities
include driving range, putting green and chipping and bunker
areas. Clubs, buggies and trollies may be hired.
Quinta da
Ria
Less than 15 minutes drive from Tavira the Quinta
da Ria development comprises two magnificent 18 hole courses
designed by “Rocky” Roquemore in an American style with
spacious fairways and liberal bunkers some of them quite
enormous. The courses have many beautiful olive, almond and
carob trees and there are some good sea views particularly
from Quinta da Ria course.
There are no real estate or hotel
developments to diminish the peace and tranquillity of these
delightful courses.
The Quinta da Ria course measures
6110 metres and has a par of 72. The course starts with a
gently downhill par 5 with a wide fairway and continues quite
sedately until the Par 3 fifth hole with its choice of teeing
grounds. The tee shot over lake requires care. The 10th
hole is perhaps the most exciting hole it measures 425 metres
and is a par 4!! So length, trees and water combine to make
this a real test. There is a great variety of holes on the
back nine and some splendid views.
Quinta de
Cima
This
course measures 6256 metres with a par of 72. The
original “Quinta” farmhouse has been converted to a
Clubhouse, which has a good bar, and restaurant and other
facilities include Pro-Shop, driving range and Academy. Clubs,
buggies and trollies available for hire. This was design as
the championship and it is unremitting in its challenging
right from 1st tee. Lots of water plenty of bunkers and
strategically placed trees. However it is immensely enjoyable
event to the high handicapper and grows in charm each time one
plays it.
GUADIANA
Castro
Marim.
In the far east of the Algarve in the rolling hills
above the Ria Guadiana with some spectacular views over the
ocean and the estuary. Architect Terry Murray has created an
interesting course of 18 holes with a length of 5,265 metres
and a par of 71. The narrow fairway of the downhill first hole
a par 4 of 375 metres immediately sets the scene. The par 3s
are all different and very challenging and there are a number
of holes where water plays a part and definitely this is a
finesse course where thoughtful golfers may prevail over the
big hitters. The charming provisional clubhouse with excellent
bar and food also has a small pro-Shop.
There
is a driving range, putting green, chipping area as well as a
club professional to give lessons. Clubs, buggies and trollies
can be hired.
Isla
Canela
An 18-hole course measuring 6324 metres from the back tees
and with a par of 72. It is mainly flat with several
watercourses to avoid and whilst very playable from the
forward tees it can be a good test of golf from the back tees.
It has a very
pleasant Clubhouse with Bar, Restaurant for snacks or full
meals and a pro-Shop. There are good Practice
Facilities. Lawn bowling is also available.
VILAMOURA
Within 20 minutes of Faro Airport this large resort
now boasts 4 eighteen hole golf courses as well as all the
facilities one could expect of a mature resort including a
Marina, Casino and several Hotels of all standards.
Old Course
Frank Pennink designed the famous Old Course which
was originally constructed in 1969 but which has in recent
years been refurbished and updated. The course measures 6254
metres and has a par of 72. For many golfing purists the Old
Course is regarded as the Algarve’s finest course.
The Clubhouse has a terrace at golf course level overlooking
the first tee and fifteenth green. It has a bar which serves
snacks, as well as a restaurant. There is a Pro-Shop and other
facilities include Driving Range, Putting green, Club hire,
buggies and trollies.
Millenium
The most recent of the 18 hole course at Vilamoura
designed in part by Martin Hawtree and the course which
incorporates the third loop of nine holes of the earlier
Laguna layout. It is part in an open parkland type setting and
part in the pines. A delightful course for all golfers. It has
a length of 6157 metres and a par of 72. The Millenium course
shares a Clubhouse with the Laguna course and has all the same
facilities.
Pinhal
The second of the Vilamoura courses to be
constructed Pinhal measures 6300 metres and has a par of 72. A
very good course with many pine tree lined fairways but also
some peeps of the sea. Some of the holes have water hazards.
The Clubhouse has bar and restaurant and there is a Pro-Shop,
Driving Range and Putting Green. Clubs, buggies and trollies
may be hired.
Laguna
This 18 hole, 6111 metres course with a par of 72 features
water as its main attraction otherwise the landscape here is
fairly open. Some testing holes even for the low handicappers.
There is an attractive modern Clubhouse with terraces
overlooking the course. It has a bar and restaurant, Pro-Shop
and Locker Rooms. Other amenities include Driving Range,
putting Green, and Chipping Green. Clubs, buggies and trollies
available for hire.
Vila Sol
On the fringe of the Vilamoura estate close to Quarteira and
Almancil, Vila Sol has 3 loops of 9 holes each with a par of
36 and measuring between 3079 and 3241 metres. Designed by
Donald Steel and opened in 1991 it was soon to be the scene of
the Portuguese Open. Not an easy course but a fair challenge
for all golfers, the fairways are tree lined and several holes
have water hazards to contend with.
The elegant clubhouse has good bar and
restaurant facilities and an attractive terrace overlooking
the 18th green; there is a Pro-shop, driving range,
Putting Greens, chipping green and Golf Academy. Clubs,
buggies and trollies available for hire.
CARVOEIRO
The Carvoeiro Golf Club is the highland above the
resort of Carvoeiro, close to Lagoa and about 45 minutes from
Faro. It has two 18 hole courses
Gramacho
Originally a course of 9 holes with double tees and
double green, more recently Gramacho has been extended to 18
holes and is a now genuine championship course, it is 6.107
metres in length and has a par of 72.
Pinta
This is a real challenge, a true championship
layout. The length is 6152 metres with a par of 71. There is a
premium on straight accurate driving but also a few water
hazards to complicate things.
Both courses share the same Clubhouse where you will
find a bar and restaurant as well as a Pro-Shop and Locker
Rooms. Other amenities include Golf Academy, Driving Range,
Putting & Chipping Greens. Clubs, Trollies and Buggy hire.
Other sports include Bowls, tennis and Basketball. It also has
a swimming pool.
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