Tee Times

Oceanico O Connor Jnr – Saturday 23rd July Weekly Competition

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Designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr., the Oceanico O Connor Jnr compliments the neighbouring Oceanico Faldo Course taking full advantage of its location in its fertile plain. Its various water features, both lakes and watercourses that are spread throughout the entire course, demand accuracy and test from all golfers. Oceanico Faldo is much different track with a hilly aspect, huge bunkers and rocky outcrops. Collectively they are referred to as the courses of Amendoeira Golf Resort.

Opened in October 2008 the Society has never played here so our visit was long overdue. An ensemble of ten players turned up with eager anticipation. The front nine played so much easier than the back as the wind was with us. The course turned the corner at the 10th hole and so it was virtually wind all the way back and the scores tended to reflect this.

Everyone commented how much they enjoyed it and we shall be back again soon. Congratulations to Frazer Graham playing over just 9 to shoot 38pts.

1st: Frazer Graham (h/c 9): 38pts

2nd: Byrn Lister (h/c 18): 34pts

Nearest The Pin (13th): Mark Patterson

Oceanico Old Course – Weekly Competition Friday 15th July 2011

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Course designer Frank Pennink wanted to create a golf course in the Algarve that would remind players of those beautiful, challenging inland British courses. The Oceanico Old Course parkland style layout is one of the oldest and renowned all over the golfing world. ‘Golf Digest’ rank it within the World’s top 100 courses.

Opened in 1969, the golf course was completely renovated and modernised in 1997 and fitted with a new state of the art irrigation system. It is quite simply many players favourite. It is a course where accuracy over distance previals with overhanging pines that often block the trajectory to its small protected greens.

The Society has not played here for over a year so it was high time for a visit. An ensemble of twelve players gathered to take on the ‘Grande Dame’ of the Algarve under perfect conditions; blue skies and a gentle temperate breeze. A special welcome was made to two juniors playing today namely Craig Harkins and Stewart Graham who each played with their fathers in today’s betterball stableford competition.

The winning score of 48pts is impressive as the rest of the field was at least eight points adrift.

1st: Clive Davies (h/c15) & Shane Hall (h/c10): 48pts

Nearest The Pin: Frazer Graham

Vale Do Lobo Royal – Saturday 9th July 2011 Weekly Competition

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The Society said it would return back to Vale Do Lobo after playing both its courses in April.

The Royal is characterised by undulating fairways, white expansive bunkers all set amidst pine trees and beautiful lakes it is a true golfing treat. It has altered a great deal in its layout since Henry Cotton crafted it in the 1970’s, however, in 1997 it underwent a remodelling but the cliff hole is still its signature – now the 16th. It is a veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve as well as being reptuably the most photographed hole in Europe and probably is!

It was a busy day with a large corporate golf day on the Ocean course whilst other visitors and members were booked on its sister course. The Society were able to negotiate special terms of just €41.00 – fabulous value for a course as good as this. So unsurprisingly a strong field of 15 players turned up for our singles stableford competition. Congratulations to Rod Griffiths, whose card I marked, and Frazer Graham for some fine scoring whilst the rest of us were sub thirty points.

The Old Course next competition day Friday 15th July.

1st: Rod Griffiths (h/c 18): 37pts

2nd: Frazer Graham (h/c 11): 36pts

3rd: Shane Hall (h/c 9): 29pts