Chez Carlos Golf Society

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Portugal golf – Alamos Golf Course

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Alamos Golf Course

Alamos Golf Course

Alamos Golf Course 21 July 2021

Our golf fix on 21 July was provided by Alamos Golf Course near Portimao.
The course itself was in great shape for this time of year, better than we have seen it during the hot summer months in the past.
It is apparent that some effort is being made to keep the golf course in playable condition as the fairways are green, well maintained, and proper lies result.

It has been a knock on the course in the past that this was not the case and areas of fairways were dried out and such is not the case this summer season.
Chez Carlos Golf Society played here at Alamos several weeks ago as well and the green were exceptionally quick and dangerous.
This time around, they were slower, ran true and were receptive to approach shots. A few in our group of 12 played some of their better rounds of the season. Louise Graham (39), Gordon Fleming (37) and John Harris (33) finished top 3 on the day.
John Harris also had shot of the day on our nearest the pin hole at #16.

Alamos is a great little course that even though it is short to some degree, provides challenges for all levels of players and makes for a fun day.
On this day if there was a complaint that could be considered relevant, it was that the greenside bunkers had been soaked to the point of unplayable mud in efforts to keep the greens in good nick.
They were bad enough that I would suggest the greenskeeper post GUR signs and deemed that relief from these bunkers was mandatory. Although I did not feel as affected by this as my playing partners, I empathized with their frustration and how it impacted their scoring and their day as well as being splattered with sloppy mud in several situations. The variety of holes and choices when it comes to strategy to play this golf course is always intriguing and keeps it interesting. Personally, I feel the more I play this course, the more it grows on me because it does have nuances that make you think and execute good golf shots to score well.

You can also read other posts about Golf in Portugal:
Amendoeira O’Connor Ocean Course
Trade Circuit at Old Course in Vilamoura
Seniors Golf – Portugal vs Andalusia

Portugal golf – Amendoeira O’Connor Golf Course

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Amendoeira O'Connor Golf Course

Amendoeira O’Connor Golf Course

Another warm and sunny summer day in the Algarve took Chez Carlos Golf Society to Amendoeira O’Connor Golf Course on 17 July.

We had a group of 20 players all set with intentions of conquering our golf demons and holing putts from ridiculous distances, but the O’Connor Jnr Course had other plans in mind for most.
Aside from a few excellent efforts by a few of our members that deserve commendation, O’Connor defended itself well.

Fraser Graham (39), Ian McAleese (38), and Adrian Fraser Jones (36) were the only 3 that could manage to beat the course and accumulate 36 or more stableford points on the day. Nick Coulson took nearest the pin honours on hole #13.
O’Connor Jnr, as always, was in very good condition tee to green, and the greens themselves were not lightning fast as we have seen them in the past but ran true and consistent and pin placements provided a fair test of skill. As is usual with Amendoeira, the staff and the service they provide from front desk to caddy master is exemplary, efficient, and quite friendly and helpful which is greatly appreciated always by our members.
Included in the special for our group was buckets of balls for the range which has legitimate grass tees and an excellent little practice chipping green for warming up prior to hitting the course.

In my humble opinion, the O’Connor course is a fair test to all levels of talent or lack thereof. Short hitters will be pushed to their limits to get there, and long hitters will be dealt with accordingly for errant tee shots.
Around the greens requires some nifty shot making to produce scores. Measuring by attendance from our membership, it is quite apparent that O’Connor Jnr is one of our group’s favourites in the Algarve.
The course is without a doubt top notch and the service is second to none at Algarve golf courses. If I had a peeve, it is with the GPS on the buggies that restricts their pace in critical areas around the course, which is understandable and acceptable. Having the caddy master explain this to patrons as they assign buggies would be appropriate so they understand their buggy is not dying on them as they proceed to the first tee box when it activates built in slow speed restrictions.
Also, the buggies are coded not to work at all in the parking lot, which makes little sense when players go to load up their clubs from their vehicles and is an annoyance that seemed unanimous amongst our group.
Several times as I wait for our members near the caddy master station, I have witnessed patrons approach the desk upset their buggy died in the parking lot only to have them made aware of the circumstances at that time.
Saying that if this is the only complaint one can make about their Amendoeira O’Connor Jnr experience, it is quite petty.
This golf course is one of Chez Carlos Golf Society’s favourites and quality of course and golf experience for value is as good or better than most in the Algarve.

You can also read other posts about Golf in Portugal:
Trade Circuit at Old Course in Vilamoura
Seniors Golf – Portugal vs Andalusia
Vale do Lobo Ocean Course

Golf in Portugal

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Vale do lobo Ocean course

Vale do lobo Ocean course

We played yesterday at Vale do Lobo Ocean course on a hot day, but a sea breeze made it very pleasant.

We were 18 players of various nationalities, Portuguese, English, French, Swedish, Scottish and Irish, it is worth mentioning these last two nationalities.

The golf course was in perfect condition, with some greens that were fast and smooth but soft at the reception of the ball, a pleasure to play.

The course is long and has miscellaneous holes, the front nine being played in the north and west part of the resort and the back nine next to the Atlantic, which provides breath taking views and allows for some shots with the murmur of the sea in your ear. It is worth paying attention to the spectacular views on holes 11, 14 and 15. Very good.

The winner this day was Ian Godfrey with 38 points, followed by Fraser Graham with 33pt, and in 3rd 2 players with 30pt Jim Gillis and Peter Collins. Nearest the pin, on 13th, a narrow green well protected by deep bunkers was won by David Ziai, who placed the ball 3 meters from the flag.

We all return to our usual Restaurant in Vilamoura for some drinks and our free nibbles generously offered by João Filipe. Another day well spent.

You can also read other posts about Golf in Portugal:
Inspiring Golf Ahead Of The OPEN
OPEN XIRA Golf & PRO-AM Starting Days
Amazing Golf Courses