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The Algarve is one of Europe’s premier golf destinations, with
over twenty courses west of Faro, including some of the top championship
courses in Europe. All are within an hour’s drive from AlmaVerde.
Warm playing conditions and immaculately manicured fairways and greens
are the norm. In the Western Algarve there are five established courses
- Alto Club, Boavista, Palmares, Parque da Floresta and Penina - with
more under construction. The nearest course to AlmaVerde, Parque da
Floresta, is only 3km away.
For more information on golf in the Algarve or any of the courses
described below, see: www.algarve-golf.com
Although AlmaVerde does not have its own golf course, it is possible
to purchase a lifetime Golf Title that gives you and your spouse
the right to unlimited free golf on any one of over 55 courses in
Portugal and Spain. The Golf Title also enables you to make bookings
at preferred rates for your friends and family. For further information,
please see: www.titlegolf.com
ALTO CLUB GOLF
Alto Club is a Mowlem development in Alvor, west of Portimão.
The 18-hole course was the last to be designed by the late Sir Henry
Cotton. It is set in parklands, with views to the sea and to the
Monchique hills. It is well-maintained but compact, with several
of the fairways servicing more than one hole. The most memorable
hole is the “Henry Cotton challenge” or “giant”
605 metre sixteenth.
Founded: 1991
Address: Apartado 1, Alvor, 8500 Portimão
Phone: 282 416 913
Fax: 282 401 046
Architect: Sir Henry Cotton with modifications by
Peter Dobereiner
Course: 6,125 metres, 18 holes, par (SSS) 72 (73)
Current handicap certificate required
Directions: Midway between Alvor and Portimão,
well signposted from the EN125.
Website: www.altoclub.com
BOAVISTA GOLF
Designed by Howard Swan, a former President of the European Institute
of Golf Course Architects, to harmonise with the natural terrain,
this 18-hole championship course was opened at the beginning of
2002 and has already hosted the Sir Henry Cooper/Mike Reid Charity
Golf Classic. The signature hole on the outward 9 is the par-4 7th,
which is set against the backdrop of the Atltantic Ocean with views
extending from Praia da Luz in the Southwest to the hills of Monchique
in the Northeast.
Founded: 2002
Address: Quinta das Boavista, Apartado 62, 8601-901
Lagos
Phone: 282 782 151
Fax: 282 782 150
Architect: Howard Swan
Course: 6,053 metres, 18 holes, par 71
Directions: 1 km west of Lagos off the EN125.
Website: www.boavistagolf.com
PALMARES
Palmares is one of the most scenic courses in the Algarve, with
the majority of holes on gentle slopes above Meia Praia, a wide sandy
beach stretching for several kilometres, from the new Lagos marina
to the river mouth at Algor. The course has five pure links holes
on the front nine, between the railway and the beach. The upper holes
wind through groves of fig and almond trees. Palmares is best known
for its “Almond Blossom” tournament in February when these
trees are covered in a mass of pink and white bloom.
Founded: 1975
Address: Meia Praia - Apartado 74, 8600-902 Lagos
Phone: 282 762 953
Fax: 282 762 534
Facilities: Driving range, putting green, golf shop,
restaurant, open air terrace, bar
Architect: Frank Pennink Course:
5,961 metres, 18 holes, par (SSS) 71 (72)
Current handicap certificate required Directions:
Follow the Meia Praia and Golf signs on the EN125 near the Lagos Marina.
Otherwise take the partly unpaved road from the village of Odeaxere
on the EN125 east of Lagos. Website: www.palmaresgolf.com
PARQUE DA FLORESTA
Set in a dramatic and beautiful steep-sided valley off the EN125
near Salema, Parque da Floresta is currently the only course west
of Lagos. Designed by former Spanish amateur champion Pepe Gancedo
and architect of the well-known Torrequebrada course near Malaga,
the 18-hole championship course is arguably the most difficult in
the Algarve, with steep gradients and unforgivingly narrow fairways.
Parque da Floresta has benefited from substantial investment over
recent years to widen the fairways and to reposition the resort
as a family destination with a broad range of sports and leisure
amenities.
Founded: 1987
Address: Vale do Poço, Budens, 8650-060 Vila do Bispo
Phone: 282 690 000
Fax: 282 695 157
Facilities: Driving range, 3 putting greens, short
game practice area, golf shop, restaurant, bar, tennis centre, bowling
club, archery centre, pools, gym, sauna, health & beauty suite
Architect: Pepe Gancedo
Course: 5,670 metres, 18 holes, par (SSS) 72 (72)
Directions: 16 km west of Lagos off the EN125.
Website: www.vigiagroup.com
PENINA
Part of the five star Meridien Penina Golf & Resort, the 18-hole
championship course is the oldest in the Algarve and the one most
associated with Sir Henry Cotton, Penina has hosted the Portuguese
Open six times, the last time in 1998, as well as the World Team
Championship once. There are also two separate 9-hole courses. The
courses are relatively flat and run through well-treed, mature parkland.
Founded:1966
Address: Apartado 146, Penina, 8502 Portimão
Phone: 282 415 415
Fax: 282 415 000
Facilities: Driving range (capacity 80), 3 putting
greens, chipping and bunker practice area, golf shop, clubhouse,
restaurant, bar plus riding stables, tennis, pools, etc.
Architect: Sir Henry Cotton
Courses: Championship: 6,343 metres, 18 holes,
par (SSS) 73 (73) Soft spiked shoes required Handicap certificate
maximum men 28, ladies 32
Resort: 2,987 metres, 9 holes, par 35
Academy: 2,035 metres, 9 holes, par 30
Directions: At the Meridien Penina Golf &
Resort on the EN125, 5km west of Portimão
NEW COURSES
There are several new courses planned or under construction in the
Western Algarve, including:
Espiche Campo de Golfe, situated in the countryside between Espiche and Barão de São João west of Lagos, an 18-hole championship golf course is currently under development, together with a real estate project for 119 villa plots and an aparthotel.
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