Golf in Algarve

Costa Azul Trip – 3rd & 4th February ’12

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The Society travelled northwards on its annual trip away once again to the Costa Azul region of Lisbon. It was an early start after breakfast at Parkies Cafe for a mid-morning tee off at Troia. Currently ranked 32 in Continental Europe Troia holds the record that Sam Torrance was the only player to beat Par to win the Portuguese Open in 1983. Thomas Levet described it as ‘the toughest course in Europe’.

Architect Robert Trent Jones built a masterpiece set amidst sandy dunes and towering pine trees on a coastal peninsular with spectacular views of the mountain range across the ocean. Small greens heavily guarded by large bunkers demand aerial approach shots. The course was in fighting form with the greens set at ‘12’ on the stimpmeter. Anything on the wrong side could result in the ball sliding off into the fringe and beyond. It was a day not for the faint hearted!

Betterball stableford pairs was wisely the chosen format given the degree of difficulty of the course.

1st: Carlos Ferreira & Annie Densham: 31pts (c/back 9 holes: 18pts)

2nd: Peter Vaughan & Tony McInerney: 31pts (c/back 9 holes: 17pts)

Nearest The Pin (17th): Uncontested

After the game and quick refreshment in the clubhouse it was then off to catch a ferry back to the mainland. It is certainly an experience to go and play Troia!

The Sana Park in Sesimbra was the overnight base. Superb beach side hotel it is ideal to explore this pretty village with its large selection of fine fish restaurants. Good parking beneath the hotel allowed for secure storage of the golf clubs.

The morning brought another blue sky day with a bracing chill in the air. It was a leisurely start for everyone with time to relax, have a sauna, massage or perhaps a walk along the sea front after breakfast. We left at 11.00am and arrived at the Quinta Do Peru estate within 25mins and time for some to spend some money in the clubhouse.This course holds 92nd spot and meanders through 300 acres of pine forest, with the Arrabida mountain range as the backdrop. This is a classic Rocky Roquemore course with vast American style bunkers and expansive water hazards. It has featured on the European Challenge Tour.

We waited patiently for the Members to finish their weekend competition and teed off just before 1pm. This time it was an individual stableford full handicap format. If we were expecting slower greens we were mistaken – they were once again set to 12.

It was another fine performance by Christer to win the day with 36pts leaving the rest of the field trailing in the low twenties.

1st: Christer Bergquist (h/cap 15): 36pts

2nd: Ken Webb (h/cap 18): 27pts

Nearest The Pin (11th): Eileen Farren

It was once again a drink in the smart clubhouse and then southbound to the Algarve for the return journey. Everybody enjoyed the trip and mixed well. I am sure it will not be long before we do another. Why not join us on next time?

Oceanico Old Course named No1 Course in Portugal

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January 5th 2012 – Oceânico Golf, the leading golf operator in the Algarve has begun 2012 with a bang, following the news that one of its most prestigious courses, the Oceanico Old Course, has been voted Portugal’s #1 course in the prestigious Today’s Golfer Travel Awards. The vote was carried out by readers of the UK’s most read golf publication, with the Oceânico Old Course emerging a convincing winner with an impressive 31% of the nominations. The roll of honour, which was announced this week, also saw Portugal’s Algarve coast named the ‘best-value’ golfing destination in continental Europe with 32% of the vote.
“This accolade is especially pleasing for the whole team at Oceânico Golf as it provides a fantastic springboard to kick off the New Year. To be nominated by readers of Today’s Golfer magazine is an honour and also a clear indicator that the Oceânico Old Course remains a firm favourite amongst travelling golfers,” commented Chris Stilwell, CEO of Oceânico Golf.

The award-winning Par 73, 6254m Oceânico Old Course is situated in the heart of Vilamoura a mere 20 minute drive from Faro airport. The stunning Frank Pennink designed parkland layout is one of the oldest in the region and renowned all over the golfing world. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pine trees, over gently undulating natural terrain. Opened in 1969, the course was completely renovated in 1996 and remains to this day one of Europe’s finest layouts.

In addition to raising the Oceânico Old Course to new heights of quality, an attractive new clubhouse and adjacent putting green were also built at that time. As with all Oceânico courses, environmental protection practices are strictly adhered to by means of detailed management systems in line with guidelines established by ISO 14001 standards, Green Globe and Committed to Green programmes. This is one of the courses in Portugal that will always stay in the memory of visiting golfers.

‘Today’s Golfer’ award to the Algarve

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The Algarve has been named the golf destination with the ‘best value for money’ in Europe, in awards run by the British magazine ‘Today’s Golfer’.

The Algarve region received 32% of the 3,276 voters, next was Turkey with 19% and Spain’s Costa Brava was third with 11% .

Also in the categories of ‘Best Golf Course in Portugal’ and ‘Best Hotel/Resort in Portugal ‘, the Algarve won again with the Oceanico Old Course in Vilamoura, and the Hotel Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort, in Vale do Lobo, leading with 31.31% and 15.44% of the vote respectively.

‘We are very proud to receive the news that the Algarve was once again chosen for the quality of its golf product, especially as the prizes are awarded by a publication from the United Kingdom, which remains our main market for tourists’ said the chairman of Tourism of the Algarve, António Pina, who added that ‘businesses in the golf industry are to be congratulated for the excellent service they have developed.”

Today’s Golfer magazine reaches over 200,000 British golfers every month and since 2010 is has been approved by IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators).