Golf Courses

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Oceanico Old Course named No1 Course in Portugal

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January 5th 2012 – Oceânico Golf, the leading golf operator in the Algarve has begun 2012 with a bang, following the news that one of its most prestigious courses, the Oceanico Old Course, has been voted Portugal’s #1 course in the prestigious Today’s Golfer Travel Awards. The vote was carried out by readers of the UK’s most read golf publication, with the Oceânico Old Course emerging a convincing winner with an impressive 31% of the nominations. The roll of honour, which was announced this week, also saw Portugal’s Algarve coast named the ‘best-value’ golfing destination in continental Europe with 32% of the vote.
“This accolade is especially pleasing for the whole team at Oceânico Golf as it provides a fantastic springboard to kick off the New Year. To be nominated by readers of Today’s Golfer magazine is an honour and also a clear indicator that the Oceânico Old Course remains a firm favourite amongst travelling golfers,” commented Chris Stilwell, CEO of Oceânico Golf.

The award-winning Par 73, 6254m Oceânico Old Course is situated in the heart of Vilamoura a mere 20 minute drive from Faro airport. The stunning Frank Pennink designed parkland layout is one of the oldest in the region and renowned all over the golfing world. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pine trees, over gently undulating natural terrain. Opened in 1969, the course was completely renovated in 1996 and remains to this day one of Europe’s finest layouts.

In addition to raising the Oceânico Old Course to new heights of quality, an attractive new clubhouse and adjacent putting green were also built at that time. As with all Oceânico courses, environmental protection practices are strictly adhered to by means of detailed management systems in line with guidelines established by ISO 14001 standards, Green Globe and Committed to Green programmes. This is one of the courses in Portugal that will always stay in the memory of visiting golfers.

‘Today’s Golfer’ award to the Algarve

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The Algarve has been named the golf destination with the ‘best value for money’ in Europe, in awards run by the British magazine ‘Today’s Golfer’.

The Algarve region received 32% of the 3,276 voters, next was Turkey with 19% and Spain’s Costa Brava was third with 11% .

Also in the categories of ‘Best Golf Course in Portugal’ and ‘Best Hotel/Resort in Portugal ‘, the Algarve won again with the Oceanico Old Course in Vilamoura, and the Hotel Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort, in Vale do Lobo, leading with 31.31% and 15.44% of the vote respectively.

‘We are very proud to receive the news that the Algarve was once again chosen for the quality of its golf product, especially as the prizes are awarded by a publication from the United Kingdom, which remains our main market for tourists’ said the chairman of Tourism of the Algarve, António Pina, who added that ‘businesses in the golf industry are to be congratulated for the excellent service they have developed.”

Today’s Golfer magazine reaches over 200,000 British golfers every month and since 2010 is has been approved by IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators).

South Africa’s Million Dollar Par 3

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Forget pitch and putt – this tee-off point on top of a 430m mountain in South Africa is the hardest golf shot in the world, and more than $US1 million awaits the player who can score a hole in one.
Players must take a helicopter to the top to play the longest – and highest – par three on the planet. Taking the shot also requires courage – the player needs to teeter terrifyingly close to the edge of the mammoth hillside. Indeed, the Extreme 19th Hole is so high the ball takes almost 30 seconds to reach the ground.
Channel Nine cricket commentator Mark Nicholas recently joined an elite list to have the shot in just three swings. ‘It was awesome, riveting and phenomenal,’ he said. It’s like the end of the world when you get up there and it’s an awful lot of fun. It’s such an adrenalin rush taking the helicopter up and then rushing back down.’
The hole is based at the Legends Golf and Safari Resort, within the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in South Africa’s north-eastern Limpopo Province. The other 18 holes were designed by world golfing legends including Trevor Immelman, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Australia’s Robert Allenby.
A round of golf – including a buggy and lunch – will set you back R450 ($A70).
The Extreme 19th cost is R6700 ($A1060) per four ball, that includes helicopter ride, souvenir cap and glove and a DVD of you playing the hole.
So far, no one has even come close pocketing the million-dollar prize, but Harrington became the first golfer to conquer the hole within par.
Harrington said: ‘This is the type of innovation and excitement we need to get more people playing golf. There aren’t many new innovative ways to play the game but this is certainly one of the best. I think this hole is awesome – I love the whole experience, the helicopter, the views, the drama and having the green the shape of Africa. And now I’ve got bragging rights over all the other professionals who have played this and not managed to make a three. I love everything about it.’