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
