A visit by the Algarve Golf Society to Vale Da Pinta Golf Course has been long overdue. Hosting the European Seniors Tour Qualifying final for a consecutive 8 years the course has all the credentials to make for an enjoyable game and many of the today’s Chez Carlos Golf Society 16 strong field had never played it before.
Designed by the American golf course architect Ronald Fream and inaugurated in 1992 Vale de Pinta Golf Course has earned its place as one of the best designed courses in the Algarve and in Europe. Rolling terrain crafted through an old olive grove (including one tree over 1200 years old!), carob, fig and almond trees are all there in play. Recent construction around the course has sadly spoilt its original effect nevertheless it is still worth a visit as is its neighbouring sister Golf Course Gramacho. The new clubhouse overlooking the first two holes completes the picture for this delightful course.
Pairs betterball stableford was the chosen format today off 7/8 handicap and with forward yellow tees high scores in the forties was always on.
1st: Peter Vaughan & Simon D Turner: 44pts
2nd: Max Casairghi & Stuart Neillands: 43pts
Nearest The Pin 5th : Chris Milford
Nearest The Pin 15th: Peter Vaughan
Pinheiros Altos – Saturday, 26th May – Weekly Competition
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
Oceanico Laguna Golf Course Review
Oceanico Laguna is a par 72 course located on the coast, within the popular Vilamoura Holiday Resort. Dating back to 1990, it was designed by North American architect Joseph Lee and has been object of a few improvements throughout the years.
This 6121 m course features very few trees and numerous lakes, which also serve as the perfect habitat for many different birds and amphibians like otters and terrapins. In fact, close by, taking advantage from its proximity with the ocean, developers have created an environmental nature park that welcomes many different, resident and migratory, aquatic birds.
Although built in quite open terrain, it has an impressive total of 79 bunkers, which combined with the usual strong winds and the aforementioned water hazards, set the perfect conditions for quite the interesting round of golf.
Laguna shares its clubhouse with the neighbouring Oceanico Millennium course and is only a couple of minutes away from Vilamoura center, which, being the sought-after holiday resort that it is, provides the ideal setting for the relaxing moments of your golfing holiday. After all, we are talking about the largest tourist luxury complex in the whole of Europe.
