Located within the Quinta Do Lago estate Pinheiros Altos is one of the finest golf courses in the Algarve and soon to celebrate its twentieth birthday. It was a team competition this week with two scores to count in teams of 3 over the Olives and Pines layout. The course was in great condition with lush green fairways and trademark fast greens. Commenting Dave Reaney (h/cap 13) ‘I’ve never played this course till today and really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to returning and playing the Corks next time’.
The Nearest the Pin was as usual the island green hole 8th (Olives) with many balls taking a plunge into the surrounding waters. It’s an entertaining hole to play at any time.
Our Society golf competitions in the Algarve are good fun and a great opportunity to meet old and new friends whilst sampling some of the best golf courses in Portugal. Afterwards we returned back to the Chez Carlos Bar & Restaurant and enjoyed impromptu fresh clams which were just purchased from a visiting local fisherman. Cooked in lemon butter accompanied by fresh bread they were delicious.
Winning Team: Adam Reaney (Professional) , Carlos Ferreira (h/cap 14) , Simon D Turner (h/cap 15) – 72pts
Nearest The Pin (8th Olives) – Dave Reaney
Tournaments
Tee Times Golf Tournaments – All golf tournaments and golf solidarity events.
Alamos – Sunday 6th May – Weekly Competition
It was November the last time we played Alamos so a return back was long overdue. After very changeable weather over the last few weeks it appears to have settled down to the conditions that we would normally expect of May even though a strong wind picked up on the day.
It was a Sunday game this time as the FA Cup in England took precedent on the Saturday. It didn’t detract from a band of ten golfers assembling to take on this picturesque and peaceful course at the foothills of the Monchique mountains. Fairways were excellent and even though the greens had been spiked in the week they ran extremely well. It has been awhile since the ‘girls’ took over the top spots so congratulations. It was Jet’s first time at Alamos ‘I loved the course and will be back’. The Society is planning to return this Summer with a trip up into the mountains for a piri -piri lunch afterwards. Watch out for the invitation!
1st: Jet Milford (h/c24): 36pts
2nd: Anne Campbell (h/c21): 34pts (b/6: 14)
3rd: Simon D Turner (h/c15): 34pts (b/6:11)
Nearest The Pin (16th): Simon D Turner
Benamor – Saturday, 12th May – Individual Stableford
The game this week took the Society to the Eastern Algarve again, an area of natural beauty and a popular destination in search of those seeking a taste of ‘real’ Portugal. We last played here in November ’11.
The owners of Quinta de Benamor, the Martins Dias family, approached the late Sir Henry Cotton to make a concept design for an 18-hole course back in 1986. The final result is a delightful par 71 golf course of 5.500 metres (6.100 yards), with mountain views to the north and sea views to the south. Indigenous olive, cork, carob, fig and almond trees, many centuries old, feature prominently as does some strategically placed water features. It is a delightful course to play.
Summer has seemed to arrive quickly this week and a band of x20 players assembled in hot conditions for the weekly Individual Stableford competition. Once again the men played off the white tees today principally as it is a better course than the ‘yellow’ yet only 300 meters longer. The course was in great condition with lush fairways. Several of our players had never played here before and they were all impressed. The East Algarve has some great golf so do give it a try.
1st: Bob Guard (h/cap 14): 38pts
2nd: John Connaughton (h/cap 6): 36pts
3rd: David Exely (h/cap 19): 35pts (b/9: 14+21)
Nearest The Pin (12th) : Tony Mullen
