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It was high time the Algarve Golf Society returned back to the impressive Faldo course at Amendoeira. With a low season rate, and member Christer Bergquist membership allowing him to sign in guests, we were able to play one of the best courses in the Algarve for a very attractive green fee including buggies – our thanks to Christer.

This is a course that never lets you off the hook. There is not one shot where you just play it without thinking it through and the consequences of a bad one. Sir Nick Faldo wanted to create a course that was a challenge and where the tee shots have risk and reward – well he certainly succeeded. By the time you walk off the 18th green you know you’ve been in a battle – no walk in the park here.

Geographically it is two different nines – one along the flat plain and the second a rise up the hill to the back of the course with northwards views towards to the Monchique mountains and over its sister course O’Connor Jnr. It is form here that you appreciate the full scale of this resort.

The World Kid’s Championship was held two weeks previous and consequently the course was in fine condition and the vast bunkers were in their resplendent glory. Thanks are extended to Fraser Graham for his support over the last few weeks, aided by his son Stuart, and his generous gift of some of the prizes for this event.

1st: Fraser Graham (h/cap 8): 31pts
2nd: Christer Bergquist (h/cap 14): 30pts

Nearest The Pin:
11th : Uncontested
17th: Christer Bergquist

It has been been nearly three years ago since the Algarve Golf Society has played Quinta Da Ria. A course designed by the famous golf architect Rocky Roquemore famed for such classics as San Lorenzo, Quinta Da Lago (North) & Vale Do Lobo Royal. His trademarks are all here on Ria; open fairways, abundant bunkers and large contoured rolling greens. It is easy on foot and a delight on the eye with no on course construction and the back nine holes tracking the outer boundary with fabulous coastal views giving way to sweet smelling orange groves. The course was in fine form though the greens would have benefitted from a good cut and roll. The centrally located clubhouse with a large open terrace area is great place to meet for pre and post game drinks. It also doubles up as a clubhouse for its sister course Quinta Da Cima which is to its side – another one well worth a visit and shall be on our calendar very soon.

Afterwards it was another turn from our ‘Experience’ series with a visit to a local portuguese cafe / restaurant on the seafront at Olhão. Fresh prawns and crabs is the speciality here at this important fishing port city. Olhão takes his name from a big natural water fountain, an ‘eye of water’, like the locals call it (Olhão means Big Eye). The Olhaneses (inhabitants of Olhão) are more notorious for the trip to Brazil, in a small fishing boat (60-65 ft) with 17 fisherman, that, without maps or any guiding tools (but the stars), went to warn King John VI, who was exiled in that country, that the French had been defeated and banished from Portugal.

Our thanks to Eve Koch for the co-ordination of another great ‘Experience’. Watch out for the next one mid- august this time coinciding with the sardine festival in Portimao.

1st: Patricia Dorig (h/cap 33): 36pts
2nd: Fraser Graham (h/cap 8): 35pts (b/9: 18pts)
3rd: Trevor Maw (h/cap 12): 35pts (b/9: 16pts)

Nearest The Pin (17th): Eithne McMahon