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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

It has been nearly a year since the Society last played Pinhal so a visit was long overdue. Remodelled several times since it opened it has now probably got one of the toughest starts in golf on the Algarve. It can sometimes favour you if they are operating a two tee start and that you begin off the 10th – this was not the case today; off the first for us!

Though the greens were on the slow side the course was in superb condition. Next week it closes as part of its summer maintenance schedule and the rough would benefit from a quick trim in places. Once again we played a better ball stableford with four teams battling it out beneath glorious weather. Refreshments and ‘nibbles’ were once again laid on at Parkies.

1st: Fred Holmes & Shane Hall: 39pts

Nearest The Pin: Shane Hall (again)

Vila Sol changed ownership in January 2011 after several months of uncertainity over its future. Golf course and hotel have now come under control of the Pestana Group with fellow stable mates of Vale De Pinta, Gramacho, Alto & Silves and not to forget Quinta do Beloura near Estoril. In the short few weeks of new ownership improvements are already evident on and off the golf course. It will not be long before it is back to one of the finest in the Algarve. We started on T19 and finished on the original front 9.

The Society welcomed a number of new players to the competition today, however, it was a familiar name that shone on the day. Carlos was in great form after taking a break from playing – it certainly seems to have paid dividends with a superb 41pts leaving all in his trial. Past winner of the last two weeks Jim Kearney came in with a credible 33 points to take second place. After two weeks of an uncontested nearest the pin we finally have a winner with David Hynds. We all returned back again to a busy Parkies Bar for a post drink refreshment and presentation.

1st – Carlos Ferreira (h/c13) – 41 pts
2nd – Jim Kearney (h/c 13) – 35pts

Nearest the Pin (25th ): David Hynds