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Golfing around... The Algarve

Published: 07/02/2011 - Filed under: Archive » 2011 » May 2011 » Lifestyle » Golf » Archive » 2011 » May 2011 »

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Minty Clinch tries out courses in the southwestern region of Portugal, popular with tourists and golf enthusiasts

MONTE REI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Where is it? 21 miles east of Faro

What’s it like? The Eastern Algave was relatively golf poor until Jack Nicklaus turned up with a brief to build two of his prized Signature courses. Signature means he shows up rather than delegating to his many minions. The extra money money was well spent on the Norte, rated as one of Portugal’s finest as soon as it opened in 2007. The terrain, part of a 1000 estate to the north of the Via Infante motorway, is hilly with outstanding views over the countryside and the sea. The course represents Nicklaus at the top of his game, its visible hazards a challenge rather than a trap. Think before you hit is the mantra here. Monte Rei is essentially a posh American real estate project, with villas to buy or rent. Expect excellent service, both in terms of meet and greet and outstanding course preparation. The South course is under construction, along with an 150 room hotel and an equestrian centre. 

Address Sitio de Pocinho, Apartado 118, P-8901-907, Vila Nova de Cacela

Contact details +351 (0) 281 950 950, monte-rei.com

Club hours 07.00-18.00

Facilities 18 holes, 7182yds, par 72. Covered and grass driving range, practice area, putting green. 

Price £160

Minimum handicap 54 (certificate not required)

Can I hire some clubs? Callaway or Titleist £38

After the golf The appropriately grandiose clubhouse has  three restaurants masterminded by Jaime Perez who trained at  the Michelin-garlanded  elBulli near Rosas in Catalunya. Vistas is Portuguese gourmet (dinner only) while the Grill does burgers and snack throughout the day. The Academy Cafe is a casual stop for cool drinks opposite the driving range. 

SAN LORENZO

Where is it? 11 miles west of Faro 

What’s it like? Opened in 1988, San Lorenzo is a perennial favourite among Algarve regulars. The best of the courses on the Quinta do Lago estate, it is part forest, part seaside. The forest sector is undulating pine, the seaside the estuary of the Ria Formosa on the  edge of the nature reserve. Bird watchers find it hard to concentrate on golf in the face of very varied plumage. Likewise foodies are drawn to the long wooden walkway that leads to Gigi’s, a stand out fish and seafood restaurant that is only open at lunch time. Those who pass up these attractions to concentrate on their game will enjoy a lovely course in the form of a figure of eight, with the clubhouse at its heart. Expect to use every club in your bag and every shot in the book to keep your scorecard clean. 

Address Le Meridien Dona Felipa, Valle  do Lobo, P-8135-901 Almancil.

Contact details +351 (0) 289 396 522, lemeridein-donafelipa.com 

Club hours 07.00-21.00 (summer)

Facilities 18 holes, 6822yds, par 72. Driving range, putting green. 

Price £140, including buggy and range balls. Reductions for hotel guests

Minimum handicap 28 (men), 36 (women). Certificate required

Can I hire some clubs? Callaway £38

After the golf The clubhouse bar and restaurant are open throughout the day. Or bask in luxury at the 154 room Dona Felipa, one of the best hotels in the area. 

PENINA GOLF AND RESORT HOTEL

Where is it? 35 miles west of Faro

What’s it like? When the grandfather of Algave golf opened in 1966, no one had an inkling how big the game would become in these parts. Henry Cotton was appointed to turn former rice paddies into a hotel course, a task he completed with panache by planting 500,000 trees and shrubs. He also liked his bunkers, though they are numerous rather than threatening. Beautifully mature after 45 years, the trees provide welcome shade, especially beneficial as the terrain is so flat that walking is a pleasure. Plan intelligently to keep out of trouble, often in the form of lakes and streams. Penina has been outstripped by more ambitious rivals, but it is a great day out, especially with a pause at the Spikes Bar by the 9th green. 

Address P-8501-952 Portimao

Contact details +351 (0) 282 420 200/223, lemeriden-penina,com

Club Hours 07.00-20.00

Facilities 18 holes, 7042 yds, par 73. 2 9-hole courses. Covered and grass driving range, practice area, putting green

Price £101  (peak season – February-May, September-November), twilight £42. Reductions during the summer.

Minimum handicap Certificate not required

Can I hire some clubs? Taylor Made €25

After the golf  196 room on site hotel, with five restaurants including one by the huge central pool complex. Sir Henry Cotton’s Club  is a home from home for Brits abroad (10.00-20.00), while l’Arlecchino is intimately Italian (summer only). Make time for at least one fresh catch dinner in the small fishing town of Alvor 3 miles away. 

QUINTA DE LARGO GOLF CLUB

Where is it? 9 miles west of Faro

What’s it like? Four 9 hole layouts designed by American architect, William Mitchell, in the 1970s  provide flexibility but Sul, composed of B and C, is the most challenging combination. Together, the  two loops  form a typical American target course, with wide fairways and minimal water hazards. The sandy soil provides gratifying roll and the flat terrain makes for easy walking .  Norte, made up of A & D, is less cohesive, but the quirky diversity provides its own reward and higher handicappers with the intelligence toplan ahead  can expect to score well.  Most golfers stay in  the 141 room super chic Quinta do Lago , a member of the Leading Hotels of the World since 1988. The complex is located near the sea in the heart of the Rio Formosa nature reserve.  

Address P-8135-024 Almancil

Contact details +351 (0) 289 390 705/700, quintadolagogolf.com 

Club hours 07.00-18.00

Facilities Sul (B+C) 18 holes, 7095yds, par72, Norte (A+D) 18 holes, 6786yds, par 72. Driving range (mats only), practice area, putting green

Price £148 (peak season – February-May, September-November)

Minimum handicap none

Can I hire some clubs? Cobra £34

After the golf The QDL bar in the clubhouse is open  from 08.00, serving  golfers’ breakfast, lunch and dinner. For seafood and fish in the evening, try Casa do Lago. Alternatively, Koko Lane serves causal bistro meals from 08.00 to 18.00.

VALE DO LOBO GOLF CLUB

Where is it? 15 miles west of Faro

What’s it like? In its early days in the 1970s, the Royal Course was celebrated for a single hole, the signature 16th played over stunning  red gold cliffs. The other 26 in three loops of nine were less impressive, a flaw that led to the construction of nine more holes. When they were completed, they were re-arranged in the existing form, the Royal complemented by the Ocean. For much of its length, the Royal weaves through pretty forests of umbrella pine, fig and orange trees, though the sound of ball striking timber is less attractive. The Ocean is more open, shorter and easier, a good place for high handicappers looking for a relaxing round. 

Address P-8135-864 Vale do Lobo.

Contact details +351  (0) 289 353 535, valedolobo.com  

Club hours 07.00-18.00 (19.00 in summer) 

Facilities Royal 18 holes, 6610yds, par 72, Ocean 18 holes, 5764yds, par 70. Covered and grass driving range, practice area, putting greens. 

Price €£130 (small discount off season)

Minimum handicap 28 (men), 36 (women), certificate required.

Can I hire some clubs? Taylor Made £38  

After the golf The Parque do Golfe complex in the heart of the massive Vale do Lobo estate has everything any golfer could need, including Nevada Bob’s, a Fitness centre with a sports physiotherapist and an  Academy. The club bar and restaurant are open throughout the day. The bar at the 9th on the Royal is a popular pit stop.

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