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The Algarve, Portugal
Benamor

Holes: 18
Par: 71
Length : 5500m
Designed by the Late Sir Henry Cotton who was inspired by the fantastic location with views of the Atlantic Ocean & to the North, the mountains of the interior. The result is a delightful course offering a very pleasant playing experience to golfers of all levels. The course is undulating with well places bunkers & indigenous olive, cork, carob & fig trees, making it a test of strategy & ball striking. The fairways of Bermuda, Sahara & cool season grasses provide excellent lies for all wood & iron play. The recently upgraded clubhouse features a pro shop as well as a large terrace, on which to relax and enjoy quality food and drink. Excellent practice facilities are also available.
Castro Marim Located on the Spanish Portugese border, Castro Marim golf course affords stunning views of the surrounding mountains, the Atlantic ocean & the Guadiana River, which separates Portugal & Spain. The course is cut from the hillside making buggies a must except for the hill walkers amongst us! Pre booking is advisable. The course itself is challenging for all level of golfer with lightning greens & a premium on accuracy of shot rather than length. The spectacular clubhouse offers an enormous open terrace with marvellous views. Also available are excellent practice facilities including driving range, putting green & short game practice area. For many, quite simply the greatest golfer of all time, & for others, the leading golf course designer of his generation. Jack Nicklaus the legend has created a golfing masterpiece that he can be justifiably proud of & you can enjoy. Located between Tavira & Vila Real de S.Antonio The Monte Rei Golf Club is set in picturesque foothills of the Eastern Algarve, with sweeping views of the Serra Caldeirao mountains to the north & the Atlntic Ocean to the south. Oceanico Faldo Oceanico Millenium
Vale do Lobo Ocean Costa De La Luz, Spain Costa Esuri West El Rompido South

Holes: 27
Par: 71
length: 5466m
Monte Rei

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6567m

Holes: 18
Par. 72
Length. 6604m
Designed by Nick Faldo with strategic play in mind, This championship course demands careful positioning to score well. In his own words "The real skill is when you stand on the tee, the golf hole tells you what to do, & if you do what it tells you there is reward, but if you don't, you're penalised. I've managed to get the more undulating land on the site & my back nine is going to be quite hilly, which is fantastic because we've some great views to complement the course".
Oceanico Laguna

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6121m
Laid out over low lying coastal terrain, this course, with its many water hazards and few trees, is considerably different from the other ones at the resort and many of its holes convey a links atmosphere . U.S. golf architect Joesph Lee designed this course which was opened in 1990 and many previous visitors will recognise it as part of the former 27 hole Vilamoura 111 course. It has been subject to continual improvements over the years, course includes several lakes which influence play on a total of 11 holes. Laguna shares a large, welcoming clubhouse with the neighbouring Millenium Course.

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6157m
This conventional Par 72 course opened in the year 2000, although completely refurbished back nine holes - formerly part of the 27 hole Laguna Course , had been completed in their original configuration a decade before. The refurbishment & the totally new front 9 were designed by renowned golf architects, Hawtree.
Oceanico O' Connor Jnr

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6719m
Perfectly complementing the Faldo Course, whilst taking advantage of the rich valley soil in contrast to the arid hillside, Christy O'Connor Jnr's course at Amendoeira offers no less of a challenge. Large areas of water demand accurate play and creative shot making, and these lakes & streams are to be maintained as a wild life sanctuary.
Oceanico Old Course

Holes: 18
Par: 73
Length: 6254m
Situated in the heart of the Vilamoura seaside resort a mere 20 minute drive from Faro airport, this Frank Pennink designed parkland style layout is one of the oldest in the region & renowned throughout the golfing world. Often described as the " Grande Dame" of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pinetrees - the principal hazard - over gently undulating natural terrain. Although it opened in 1969, the course was completely renovated & modernised 27 years later although no major changes were made to the layout.
Oceanico Pinhal

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6353m
This was the second golf course built in Vilamoura & inaugrated in 1976, having originally been designed by Frank Pennink, the architect of the nearby Vilamoura Old Course. Several refinements were incorporated over the years, the most significant one by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1985. It is typified by rolling parkland terrain covered with numerous umbrella & Atlantic pines that line many of the fairways & a few even stand out on fairways or near greens. Ponds & a stream come into play on five holes but are not serious threats to above average golfers.
Oceanico Victoria

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6609m
Designed by golfing legend, Arnold Palmer, the Victoria course was the most ambitious golf project in Portugal, & was aimed at being one of the best golf complexes in the whole of Europe. Palmer, whose design company has planned some 500 layouts worldwide, compiled the Victoria course project, & Southern Golf, Europes largest golf course builder, was awarded the construction contract. Several man made lakes provide hazards for the players.
Palmares

Holes: 18
Par: 71
Length: 5961m
Often referred to as " The Jewel in the Algarve crown " Palmares golf course has five of its 18 holes situated on sand dunes along the Atlantic Coast on the Meia Praia beach. The remaining 13 holes are laid out among gently undulating hills. Hole 5, stroke index 1 is, without doubt, one of the most outstanding links holes in Europe. Many of the other holes enjoy panoramic views over the bay of Lagos or of the more distant Monchique hills.
Penina

Holes: 18
Par: 73:
Length: 6273m
The Championship Course is Sir Henry Cotton's masterpiece - by which he wished to be remembered. ' The Penina ' as it is known, was originally laid out on land used for growing rice. Eucalyptus trees are now here in abundance.
Pestana Alto

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6125m
Located between the picturesque village of Alvor & the bustling tourist resort of Praia da Roche, Alto Golf has established itself as one of the most popular golf courses in the Algarve. Designed by the legendary golf course architect Sir Henry Cotton, the rolling fairways & elevated greens test the low handicap golfer whilst providing an enjoyable experience for the average player.
Pestana Gramacho

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 5919m
Former world No 1 player, Nick Price, teamed up with respected golf course architect, Ronald Fream, to create a uniquely designed 18 hole course with 27 varied greens that enable the golfer to play the same course several times with different greens & new challenges. In true Price style, the wonderful characteristics already existing on the site, from the boulder outcrops & dry stone walling, to the fig, carob & olive trees, have been complemented by artfully positioned lakes & bunkers. These hazards, combine with the design of the greens & fairways, result in a challenging but attractive course.
Pestana Vale de Pinta

Holes: 18
Par: 71
Length: 6152m
The Pinta Course is one of the best designed courses in Europe. A championship course with an exceptional layout designed by the famous American golf course archotect, Ronald Fream, & inaugurated in 1992. It has earned a deserved reputation for the outstanding level of maintenance of the course & its design, which makes it a challenge to golfers of all standards.
Pestana Silves

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 5615m
Silves is a serene spot, but the course is anything but the proverbial walk in the park. A drive at the open hole has to flirt with two water hazards on both flanks. A heroic straight shot will reward the player with an easy uphill approach. Siles encourages and rewards attacking play. The excellent condition, all year round, is ideal for low scoring. A relentless test in precision, this course has no peers. It is the archetype of man sized parkland golf. Most holes offer a spectacular mountain & valley view, overlooking palm trees & olive groves. The severity of the bunkering is enough defence against the onslaught of the games big guns.
Pinheiros Altos

Holes: 27
Par: 72
Length: 6199m
Located in Quinta do Lago & designed by respected American course architect, Robert Fream, Pinheiros Altos offers a diverse 27 holes. The front nine have been built on hilly terrain in contrast to the back nine on flat terrain with plenty of water hazards.
Quinta de Cima

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6259m
Quinta de Cima offers fantastic, spectacular views of both the Ocean & the Algarve mountains. The course has a mature feeling with the presence of olive, carob & orange trees. It is also surrounded by the vineyards & maintains the typical landscape of the Algarve. Although open in layout this course demands good long iron play to match your handicap score.
Quinta da Ria

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6016m
This 18 hole championship golf course is situated in the Ria Formosa Natural Park with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Frequently described as the most breathtaking & well manicured course in the region, Quinta da Ria has five lakes strategically built around the course, meaning accurate iron play is essential.
Quinta do Lago Laranjal
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6480m
Laranjal is the newest Championship course to built within the outstanding golf resort of Quinta do Lago. Originally an orange grove, Laranjal is a sanctuary for those who seek the finest in golf & personalise service. It's narrow fairways & well defended greens require concentration & accuracy to navigate this testing route. Course architect , Santana da Silva says " It will be a surprise for alot of people....it provides a series of emotions from the first hole to the last. It is about the game & strategy as well as the aesthetics. Nobody will be indifferent to it"
Quinta do Lago North

Holes. 18
Par: 72
Length: 6126m
Located within the outstanding resort of Quinta do Lago, the North course is an excellent challenge for all who are fortunate enough to play it. Set within natural woodland, the combination of undulating greens, well positioned bunkers & water hazards ensure a truly unique golfing experience.
Quinta do Lago South

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6126m
Since its opening in 1974 the South course has hosted the Portugese Open Championship no fewer than 8 times. A favourite of many tour players the course is located in a natural setting, surrounded by umbrella pines, lakes, wild vegetation & the stunning Ria Formosa in the backdrop. The layout encourages the average player to be bold from the tee but calls for precision play from the fairways to reach the greens.
Quinta do Vale

Hole: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6206m
Designed by golfing legend Severiano Ballesteros, Quinta do Vale is an 18 hole championship layout including 6 Par-5's, 6 Par-4's and 6 Par-3's. Superbly integrated into the landscape & with stunning views over the Guadiana Rive, the course sits in a natural valley overlooked by the clubhouse. At Quinta do Vale, players will notice Seve's creativity as well as his promise: To please everyone no matter what their handicap is. The course is enhanced by numerous dogleg holes, wide fairways & obstacles all set in breath-taking surroundings.

Holes: 18
Par: 73
Length: 6265m
The Ocean course is composed of two of the priginal 9 hole golf courses designed by Sir Henry Cotton, which were opened in 1968 & 1972. His plans for the merged course became reality in 1995, after his death. The course features undulating fairways, which run alongside a nature reserve, before leading down to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Its emblematic holes are two challenging & spectacular Par4s, the 11th & the 14th , which treat golfers to some of the most spectacular views in the Algarve, & the Par 3 15th, which runs alongside the beach.
Vale do Lobo Royal

Hole: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6102m
The Royal Golf Course was designed by top American golf architect Rocky Roquemore, based on original drawings made by Sir Henry Cotton & inaugurated in 1997. The course has rolling fairways set amidst pine trees & beautiful lakes surrounded by wild flowers. It's features include the almost island green of the 9th & the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover- one of the most celebrated golfing images in the world, which has become the veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve.
Bellavista

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 5806m
Founded in 1916 Bellavista is one of the oldest golf clubs in Spain. Located in smoothly undulating landscape close to the city of Huelva, the course has many striking dog leg holes & is surrounded by plenty of pine trees. The back 9 cover a more open area with wide fairways, these holes are certainly easier to play than the front 9. Bellavista accomodates a beautiful clubhouse with several other facilities such as new practice range, tennis courts, swimming pool, and sauna.
Costa Esuri East

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6309m
The newer of the two courses within the Costa Esuri Golf Resort, the East course is slightly shorter than it's sister but offers a more technical challenge. Well integrated into the slope towards the salt marshes of the Guadiana River, the course offers views to the Ocean & the beautiful town of Ayamonte.

Holes: 18
Par. 72
Length: 6607m
One of the longest courses in the area & offering the feel of a links course, Costa Esuri West runs alongside the Guadiana river & has wide open fairways & superb greens. The prevailing wind coming in from the Atlantic make this course an excellent challenge.
El Rompido North

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6095m
"36 holes of nature..." is undoubtedly the best way to describe the 2 courses at El Rompido, which wind through a mix of open parkland & protected marshland, taking in views of the ocean with its new marina complex, as well as the unspoilt interior. The newer of the two courses within the El Rompido Golf Resort, the North course offers longer, wider fairways but requires no less concentration to score well.

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6148m
"36 holes of nature..." is undoubtedly the best way to describe the 2 courses at El Rompido, which wind through a mix of open parkland & protected marshland, taking in views of the ocean with its new marina complex, as well as the unspoilt interior. The South course is the older of the two courses at El Rompido & requires creativity & good course management. The greens play flat & true throughout the year allowing no excuses in the modern clubhouse after your round!
Isla Canela

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 5937m
Designed by Juan Catarineu, the course is successfully integrated into existing flat terrain & is comfortable to walk. Wide fairways run between natural dunes, orange, eucalyptus & palm trees, which provide natural hazards. At first sight an easy course, but player beware it has claimed many a scorecard!
Islantilla

Holes: 27
Par: 72
Length: 0m
Opened in 1992, Islantilla is rated among the top 100 courses in Europe & has hosted a number of high profile tournaments. The 27 hole course runs along the coast & through the ancient pine forest, with each loop of 9 offering a different challenge. The large, well-equipped clubhouse offers everything a golfer requires, with a great terrace overlooking the opening holes.