Golf in Algarve

Benamor – Saturday, 12th May – Individual Stableford

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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

Espiche – Wednesday 25th April – Pairs Betterball

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The newest course to open in the Algarve, Espiche has been 17 years in the making and opened with a soft launch 15th February ’12. It is located on the north side of Lagos, beyond Boavista and through the town of its own name.

Espiche Golf is a monitored course on an environmental programme linked to the University of the Algarve and various departments within the Algarve’s Commission for Regional Development (CCDRA). The land on which it is built is classified as an Ecological Reserve and made of a geological structure of a karst rock (lime stone) which has a water lens aquifer below it.

Designed by South African golf course architect Peter Sauerman Espiche has been laid down on a hilly terrain thick with natural indigenous undergrowth. The fairways make full use of the natural undulating slopes and hollows and are flanked on occasions on both sides by rough – once in then a shot out is unlikely.

The front nine is more sheltered from the elements with the back nine the harder to play as it climbs to the crest of the hill and into the wind. Wild countryside views all around add to the beauty of the course with natural stone walls cleverly placed within view and in play. Calcada buggy paths take the strain off the course weaving their way from green to tee.
Buggies and electric trolleys are limited so best reserve at time of reservation. There are ample pull trolleys.

The Society assembled at Parkies Cafe for breakfast and set off in good time for a tee off time of 11:30. If you were to take the old EN125 road or the toll road A22 motorway it is going to take the best part of an hour to reach to reach Espiche from Vilamoura. Toll for a small car is around €11.00 return.

Reports had been received that the greens were in poor shape but all 15 players insisted on trying this latest addition to the Algarve. A pairs betterball was chosen as the format of the day – probably a good decision as no one really knew where we were going and the course looked quite challenging!

Facilities are basic with the clubhouse scheduled to be built later in the year so we gathered in Espiche town for post game refreshments and nibbles. Everyone enjoyed the course commenting on its layout and views – many would return again once the greens were sorted. Eight of the group then headed off to Guia for a piri-piri chicken dinner.

1st: David Bowles & Carlos Ferreira: 38pts

2nd: Roland Russell & Bob Walker: 35pts

Nearest The Pin (7th): Bob Walker

Oceanico Old Course – Saturday 7th April. Weekly Competition

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The Oceanico Old Course is a favourite of many who have played it and as recently as January of this year was voted Portugal’s #1 course in Today’s Golfer Travel Awards .The vote was carried out by readers of the UK’s most read golf publication, with it emerging a convincing winner with an impressive 31% of the nominations. The roll of honour also saw Portugal’s Algarve coast named the ‘best-value’ golfing destination in continental Europe with 32% of the vote – praise indeed.

Plenty of inspiration abound this week as many of us watched the Masters at Augusta and come the day the recent week of inclement weather had subsided to blue skies and sun once again. Tees and fairways were excellent – the recent rains had done them good, however, the greens were on the slower side than normal though generally true. It was pleasure to return back to this magnificent course and we look forward to our return this summer.

1st: Fraser Graham (h/c10): 37pts (17+20)

2nd: Simon D Turner (h/c 15): 34pts (20+14)

3rd: Peter Vaughan (h/c12): 33pts (16+17)

Nearest The Pin (15th): Fraser Graham