Located within the Quinta Do Lago estate Pinheiros Altos is one of the finest golf courses in the Algarve and soon to celebrate its twentieth birthday. It was a team competition this week with two scores to count in teams of 3 over the Olives and Pines layout. The course was in great condition with lush green fairways and trademark fast greens. Commenting Dave Reaney (h/cap 13) ‘I’ve never played this course till today and really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to returning and playing the Corks next time’.
The Nearest the Pin was as usual the island green hole 8th (Olives) with many balls taking a plunge into the surrounding waters. It’s an entertaining hole to play at any time.
Our Society golf competitions in the Algarve are good fun and a great opportunity to meet old and new friends whilst sampling some of the best golf courses in Portugal. Afterwards we returned back to the Chez Carlos Bar & Restaurant and enjoyed impromptu fresh clams which were just purchased from a visiting local fisherman. Cooked in lemon butter accompanied by fresh bread they were delicious.
Winning Team: Adam Reaney (Professional) , Carlos Ferreira (h/cap 14) , Simon D Turner (h/cap 15) – 72pts
Nearest The Pin (8th Olives) – Dave Reaney
Algarve Golf
Oceanico Laguna Golf Course Review
Oceanico Laguna is a par 72 course located on the coast, within the popular Vilamoura Holiday Resort. Dating back to 1990, it was designed by North American architect Joseph Lee and has been object of a few improvements throughout the years.
This 6121 m course features very few trees and numerous lakes, which also serve as the perfect habitat for many different birds and amphibians like otters and terrapins. In fact, close by, taking advantage from its proximity with the ocean, developers have created an environmental nature park that welcomes many different, resident and migratory, aquatic birds.
Although built in quite open terrain, it has an impressive total of 79 bunkers, which combined with the usual strong winds and the aforementioned water hazards, set the perfect conditions for quite the interesting round of golf.
Laguna shares its clubhouse with the neighbouring Oceanico Millennium course and is only a couple of minutes away from Vilamoura center, which, being the sought-after holiday resort that it is, provides the ideal setting for the relaxing moments of your golfing holiday. After all, we are talking about the largest tourist luxury complex in the whole of Europe.
Benamor – Saturday, 12th May – Individual Stableford
The game this week took the Society to the Eastern Algarve again, an area of natural beauty and a popular destination in search of those seeking a taste of ‘real’ Portugal. We last played here in November ’11.
The owners of Quinta de Benamor, the Martins Dias family, approached the late Sir Henry Cotton to make a concept design for an 18-hole course back in 1986. The final result is a delightful par 71 golf course of 5.500 metres (6.100 yards), with mountain views to the north and sea views to the south. Indigenous olive, cork, carob, fig and almond trees, many centuries old, feature prominently as does some strategically placed water features. It is a delightful course to play.
Summer has seemed to arrive quickly this week and a band of x20 players assembled in hot conditions for the weekly Individual Stableford competition. Once again the men played off the white tees today principally as it is a better course than the ‘yellow’ yet only 300 meters longer. The course was in great condition with lush fairways. Several of our players had never played here before and they were all impressed. The East Algarve has some great golf so do give it a try.
1st: Bob Guard (h/cap 14): 38pts
2nd: John Connaughton (h/cap 6): 36pts
3rd: David Exely (h/cap 19): 35pts (b/9: 14+21)
Nearest The Pin (12th) : Tony Mullen
