Golf in Algarve

Vila Sol – Saturday 15th October ’11 Weekly Competition. Portugal Masters Week.

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Lots of inspiration abound this week as The Masters set up camp for the fifth time at the Oceanico Victoria golf course. This is Portugal’s premier golfing event and many make their way to Vilamoura to come and watch some of the best names in the business apply their trade. Consequently our 20 places at Vila Sol soon filled up and due to the demand we booked an additional slot at Pinherios Altos to take an additional 10 players.

Vila Sol host to two Portuguese Opens when it first opened was operating at maximum itself. A betterball pairs stableford format was chosen so as to keep the game moving so as and to ensure the last group had enough daylight – which it did with time to spare.

October has been hot for this time of year yet the course looked and played well. The Prime & Challenge nine holes (1-18) are some of the best in the Algarve and it is always a delight to play especially when the Society had secured a preferential rate of just 57.50€ probably another reason it was a popular event!

Thanks once again to Dell for putting on an exceptional spread of food on in the bar– well it was his birthday weekend!

1st: Wyn Hughes (h/c: 19) & Clive Davies Carlos Ferreira (h/c 13): 43pts

2nd: John Gibson (h/c: 13) & Shane Hall (h/c 8): 36pts

Nearest The Pin: Clive Davies

Pinheiros Altos – Saturday 24th September. Weekly Competition

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The Society welcomed two new players this week Debbie Wilson & Clare Daniel who drove up to the Algarve after playing La Manga the previous week so as to make our ensemble to 11 players, at Pinheiros Altos.

Our last visit in May saw the Society play the Oliveiras & Pinheiros loops, on this occasion it was Oliveiras (Olives) & Sobreiros (Pines). For those still unfamiliar with the names ‘Oliveiras ’was the original 1-9 lakes holes whilst the ‘Sobreiros’ holes consist of a re-sculpted 6th & 7th, four of the new holes and finishing off with original 7th, 8th & 9th.

Should you find yourself in the new part of the course take care; it is very easy to play the wrong holes and out of sequence!. In tournament play this would result in disqualification. The course was in fine form apart from a couple of tees and the greens their usual quick pace. ‘We’ll definitely be back!’ says Debbie.

Once again we returned back to Parkies Bar for post drink refreshments and some fresh pizza. Next week we return back to Vale Do Lobo.

1st: Shane Hall (h/c 8) – 34pts

2nd: Robin Prescott (h/c 14) – 32 pts

Nearest The Pin (Oliveiras 8th) – Mary Strutt

Pestana Vila Sol – Saturday 17th September. Members Open Day

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On occasions the Society will support an external event. Saturday’s Vila Sol Open Day was one such occasion where invited guests had the opportunity to play alongside members on the Championship course (Prestige & Challenge) followed by lunch in the Clubhouse.

At just 20.00€ this was always going to be a popular day and the Society forwarded nearly a third of the 62 participants. With an early start of 7.48am play got underway to a Gents & Ladies Individual Stableford format played off Vila Sol slope rates – all players enjoyed some form of handicap increase!

New owners Pestana are making gradual improvements to reinstating it back to its former status as one of the finest courses in the Algarve – its layout is simply one of the finest and most challenging. It is 20 years old this year and found fame at an early age when it hosted the Portuguese Open two successive years in 1992 & 1993. Numerous tournaments followed including the famous Johnny Walker Classic, its home for five years and the ongoing Bobby Robson Classic.

Architect Donald Steel built a masterpiece demanding positional play at its very finest. The first four holes have a reputation as being one of the hardest starts in Portugal and deservedly so! Neither nine is any easier according to its members. As with any great course the closing holes are strong from the sloping and narrowing 17th to the 18th for a grandstand finish overlooked by the clubhouse terrace.

A splendid three course lunch with wine awaited us afterwards with a short prize presentation by Vila Sol’s Golf & Commercial Manager. The Society would like to thank all those involved for a great day. Anyone interested in joining the Vila Sol memberships are available at preferential terms.

Best score amongst Society players:
Ladies
Graca Carter (h/c 25): 38pts
Gents
Russ Brittain (h/c 19): 35pts