| What are you going to think when you hear Algarve? | | | | shooting boots on if you want to get around this |
| Nice weather? Nice hotels? Nice beaches? Everything | | | | course with a decent score, or you can kiss goodbye |
| nice, yes? Not the golf courses though. The golf | | | | to that single figure handicap, mate! These two |
| courses go way beyond nice. The golf courses in the | | | | courses really do complement each other, by way of |
| Algarve make it one of the most sought after | | | | offering golf to a variety of different skill levels. They |
| destinations, and not just in Europe, in the world. | | | | were given a shout out in the Peugeot golf guide of |
| Here are four belters for you to consider. | | | | 2004-2005, and both scored really highly. According |
| 1. Vilamoura - The Old Course. | | | | to the guide, Quinta da Cima is no.1 and Quinta da Ria |
| There is a revered golf course designer and he goes | | | | is no.2. |
| by the name of Frank. Or Frank Pennink to be | | | | 3. Penina Championship Course. |
| precise. It was his ambition to make a course that | | | | What a blinking stunner! It is the eldest golf course in |
| was both brilliantly beautiful, and consistently | | | | the Algarve, I'll have you know, so show a little |
| challenging. The result? Vilamoura's old course, of | | | | respect! Good old Henry Cotton went all guns blazing |
| course. It is a really fun and picturesque course, | | | | with his golfing vision in this one. The Portuguese |
| although not really one for the novices. It has a | | | | open has been held here on quite a number of |
| parkland layout, and a lot of people describe it as the | | | | occasions. It is built on relatively flat land, and has |
| Grande Dame of Algarve courses. It is actually one | | | | loads of really long holes. There are loads of trees, |
| of the oldest courses in the civilised world, and it has | | | | bunkers and water hazards, so watch out! The |
| the privilege of being featured in the Golf Digest, top | | | | greens are big too, so just because your on one, |
| 100 golf courses, which is nice. | | | | don't think your on for par, matey! Certainly not. This |
| 2. Quinta da Ria/ Quinta da Cima | | | | really is a great championship course. |
| If you want to look at a really excellent view whilst | | | | 4. Alto Golf and Country Club. |
| you are boxing, then you are likely to really enjoy | | | | Not just a golf course. As well as being able to swing |
| this course. The Quinta da Rio complex is the home | | | | your arms off, this location also offers the spoils of a |
| of two, yes two high standard, 18-hole golf courses. | | | | magnificent country club. There are vies of gardens |
| They are both beyond compare, and they were both | | | | that are borderline Elysian. It is another Henry Cotton |
| designed by a fellow named William Roquemore. | | | | effort, and it has a typical layout to try and offer a |
| There is the 72 par Quinta da Ria, that is made up of | | | | little something for various skill levels. This was the |
| two loops of nine holes. The greens are amazing, and | | | | great mans philosophy, you see? If you play the first |
| pose a challenge for even the most proficient of | | | | nine holes they you are going to be able to see |
| putters. This course overall though, is more suitable | | | | views over the bay of Lagos, which is about as nice |
| for the beginner/intermediate player, than its sister | | | | as a view can get, really. This is where you will find |
| course, the 72-par Quinta da Cima. This course was | | | | the Henry Cotton challenge, which is a whomping 604 |
| finished in 2002, and is a real challenge. It is | | | | metre par 5. Get your 460 round that! You're going |
| recognised as the regions most popular championship. | | | | to need three shots to reach the green. All of them |
| It is the slightly longer of the two courses, and is also | | | | accurate enough to steer you clear of the expanse |
| the more challenging. It is awash with dogs legs, as | | | | of drink. It is a unique course because it offers a |
| well as having water hazards and sand traps pretty | | | | really enjoyable game for people of all skill levels. |
| much everywhere. You will have to have your | | | | |