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.
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
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
