Algarve Golf

Tee Times Golf Holidays Algarve – All things related to the region and city of Algarve in the south of Portugal. Great sunny weather, culture, traditions, food and awesome warm sandy white beaches and golf resorts are here.

Pinheiros Altos – Saturday 24th September. Weekly Competition

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The Society welcomed two new players this week Debbie Wilson & Clare Daniel who drove up to the Algarve after playing La Manga the previous week so as to make our ensemble to 11 players, at Pinheiros Altos.

Our last visit in May saw the Society play the Oliveiras & Pinheiros loops, on this occasion it was Oliveiras (Olives) & Sobreiros (Pines). For those still unfamiliar with the names ‘Oliveiras ’was the original 1-9 lakes holes whilst the ‘Sobreiros’ holes consist of a re-sculpted 6th & 7th, four of the new holes and finishing off with original 7th, 8th & 9th.

Should you find yourself in the new part of the course take care; it is very easy to play the wrong holes and out of sequence!. In tournament play this would result in disqualification. The course was in fine form apart from a couple of tees and the greens their usual quick pace. ‘We’ll definitely be back!’ says Debbie.

Once again we returned back to Parkies Bar for post drink refreshments and some fresh pizza. Next week we return back to Vale Do Lobo.

1st: Shane Hall (h/c 8) – 34pts

2nd: Robin Prescott (h/c 14) – 32 pts

Nearest The Pin (Oliveiras 8th) – Mary Strutt

Pestana Vila Sol – Saturday 17th September. Members Open Day

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On occasions the Society will support an external event. Saturday’s Vila Sol Open Day was one such occasion where invited guests had the opportunity to play alongside members on the Championship course (Prestige & Challenge) followed by lunch in the Clubhouse.

At just 20.00€ this was always going to be a popular day and the Society forwarded nearly a third of the 62 participants. With an early start of 7.48am play got underway to a Gents & Ladies Individual Stableford format played off Vila Sol slope rates – all players enjoyed some form of handicap increase!

New owners Pestana are making gradual improvements to reinstating it back to its former status as one of the finest courses in the Algarve – its layout is simply one of the finest and most challenging. It is 20 years old this year and found fame at an early age when it hosted the Portuguese Open two successive years in 1992 & 1993. Numerous tournaments followed including the famous Johnny Walker Classic, its home for five years and the ongoing Bobby Robson Classic.

Architect Donald Steel built a masterpiece demanding positional play at its very finest. The first four holes have a reputation as being one of the hardest starts in Portugal and deservedly so! Neither nine is any easier according to its members. As with any great course the closing holes are strong from the sloping and narrowing 17th to the 18th for a grandstand finish overlooked by the clubhouse terrace.

A splendid three course lunch with wine awaited us afterwards with a short prize presentation by Vila Sol’s Golf & Commercial Manager. The Society would like to thank all those involved for a great day. Anyone interested in joining the Vila Sol memberships are available at preferential terms.

Best score amongst Society players:
Ladies
Graca Carter (h/c 25): 38pts
Gents
Russ Brittain (h/c 19): 35pts

Oceanico Faldo – Saturday 3rd September Weekly Competition

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Again, this was another course the Society had not played for two years – 1st August 2009 to be precise.

Opened in September 2008 and designed by Sir Nick Faldo it rates up there with the very best in Portugal. A mighty 6,598mts off the back tee this Par-72 championship course demands careful positioning to return a good card. The intention was always to create an Arizona desert feel with cactus and wild herbs plants in abundance planted against craggy out crops of rock. Terracotta coloured soil contrast to the expansive golden bunkers. The full effect of the course takes shape on the back nine as players wind their way up the hillside. The 15th tee is at the peak and the complex spreads out ahead of you with its sister course, O Connor Jnr, in the distance – a great vista.

All players arrived in good time and many made good use of the superb free practice facilities on offer. Betterball stableford pairs was today’s format off the yellow’s tee (5858mts). For the record behind these are a further two tees! The course was in superb shape and the off fairway bushes, pampas grasses and plants have given the course that extra maturity since last time I played it. Graham Newman found a stead fast partner with Bomber and carded a great 44pts to steal the show from father and son Shane and Shandon.

Once again a fine spread laid on by Parkys Bar in Vilamoura.

1st: Ian O’Malley (alias Bomber- h/c 10) & Graham Newman (h/c 24): 44pts

2nd: Shane Hall (h/c 10) & Shandon Hall (h/c 28): 40pts

Nearest The Pin (16th): Martin Lewis