Tournaments

Tee Times Golf Tournaments – All golf tournaments and golf solidarity events.

Pinheiros Altos – Saturday 18th February ’12. Weekly Competition

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Located between Quinta Do Lago and San Lorenzo the 27 holes at Pinheiros Altos (High Pines) is a firm favourite with many a golfer in the Algarve and home for many a celebrity and footballer.

Today the Society took on the Sobreiros and Oliveiras loops. The fairways were brown but this was only the bermuda grass in its dormant stage in winter. Come the warmth of springtime it will be its usual blaze of green.

If there was stimpmeter reading taken on the greens it would have surely read 12 – similar to Troia the other week. Anything topside and you had problems. This was reflected in the scores with 28pts the best from a field of 15players.

Thanks to Dell at Parkies bar for laying on a selection of sandwiches and potato skins post match.

1st: David Exely (h/cap 19): 28pts

2nd: Christer Bergquist (h/cap 14): 28pts

3rd: Eileen Farren (h/cap 24): 28pts

Nearest The Pin 8th (Olives): Tommy Jensen

Vale do Lobo Royal – Saturday 11th February. Weekly Competition

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The first game after the return from the trip to Lisbon saw the Society return back to Vale Do Lobo this time to take on the majestic Royal course. There was once again another good turn out with x21 players taking part under clear blue skies and sunshine.

The whole group had all teed off by 1.10pm thereby ensuring we were to finish easily within daylight accessing its twilight rate of just €55.00. Some good scores at the turn indicated that a stableford par round was a distinct possibility and this turned out to be the case with a fine performance by Robin Prescott to clinch first prize by one point with 38pts.

Two nearest the pin competitions this week though the one at the infamous 16th was slightly tongue in cheek. A few near but no one reached the green. The course was in good condition considering the dry spell we are still experiencing here in the Algarve.

After the game we chased back to Parkies Bar for nibbles and refreshments and to catch the six nation rugby match. Another good day had by all.

1st: Robin Prescott (h/cap 15): 38pts

2nd: Dave Askew (h/cap 11): 37pts

3rd: Christer Bergquist (h/cap 15): 34pts

Nearest The Pin 7th: Peter Vaughan

Nearest The Pin 16th: Uncontested

Costa Azul Trip – 3rd & 4th February ’12

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The Society travelled northwards on its annual trip away once again to the Costa Azul region of Lisbon. It was an early start after breakfast at Parkies Cafe for a mid-morning tee off at Troia. Currently ranked 32 in Continental Europe Troia holds the record that Sam Torrance was the only player to beat Par to win the Portuguese Open in 1983. Thomas Levet described it as ‘the toughest course in Europe’.

Architect Robert Trent Jones built a masterpiece set amidst sandy dunes and towering pine trees on a coastal peninsular with spectacular views of the mountain range across the ocean. Small greens heavily guarded by large bunkers demand aerial approach shots. The course was in fighting form with the greens set at ‘12’ on the stimpmeter. Anything on the wrong side could result in the ball sliding off into the fringe and beyond. It was a day not for the faint hearted!

Betterball stableford pairs was wisely the chosen format given the degree of difficulty of the course.

1st: Carlos Ferreira & Annie Densham: 31pts (c/back 9 holes: 18pts)

2nd: Peter Vaughan & Tony McInerney: 31pts (c/back 9 holes: 17pts)

Nearest The Pin (17th): Uncontested

After the game and quick refreshment in the clubhouse it was then off to catch a ferry back to the mainland. It is certainly an experience to go and play Troia!

The Sana Park in Sesimbra was the overnight base. Superb beach side hotel it is ideal to explore this pretty village with its large selection of fine fish restaurants. Good parking beneath the hotel allowed for secure storage of the golf clubs.

The morning brought another blue sky day with a bracing chill in the air. It was a leisurely start for everyone with time to relax, have a sauna, massage or perhaps a walk along the sea front after breakfast. We left at 11.00am and arrived at the Quinta Do Peru estate within 25mins and time for some to spend some money in the clubhouse.This course holds 92nd spot and meanders through 300 acres of pine forest, with the Arrabida mountain range as the backdrop. This is a classic Rocky Roquemore course with vast American style bunkers and expansive water hazards. It has featured on the European Challenge Tour.

We waited patiently for the Members to finish their weekend competition and teed off just before 1pm. This time it was an individual stableford full handicap format. If we were expecting slower greens we were mistaken – they were once again set to 12.

It was another fine performance by Christer to win the day with 36pts leaving the rest of the field trailing in the low twenties.

1st: Christer Bergquist (h/cap 15): 36pts

2nd: Ken Webb (h/cap 18): 27pts

Nearest The Pin (11th): Eileen Farren

It was once again a drink in the smart clubhouse and then southbound to the Algarve for the return journey. Everybody enjoyed the trip and mixed well. I am sure it will not be long before we do another. Why not join us on next time?