GOLF
Portugal is a country of golf and uncountable golf courses, frequently with a view of the ocean. There are about 100 functioning golf clubs, which are situated on marvellous green courses with smoothly mown lawns made of the daintiest kinds of grass, with ponds, palm trees and neat holes pine shade, - all this being a result of the long-term work of the best landscape designers who managed to create the unique combinations of hills, lakes, waterfalls and groves, which frequently have a man-made origin. The golf courses in Portugal offer the visitors a wonderful rest in the open air in an ideal ecological zone with infrastructure elements - shops, restaurants, etc. Nowadays it is fashionable to combine golf with infrastructure: there are charming town-house and cottage complexes, united into the so-called "condominiums", built in the very heart of golf courses, which bring its inhabitants as close as possible to a life in the countryside. Right across the threshold the plains of an impeccable lawn are stretched and the windows have a view on a green plateau, which is a pleasure to the eye.
There is a choice for you where to stay. The populous hotels of Algarve are at the service of those who have relish for them. You've got plenty of great choices. The package golf offers in any place of the Portugal usually include accommodation in the above-mentioned hotels. But it is far from being obligatory - after all it is always possible to rent or buy a convenient chic villa in close vicinity to the majority of golf courses.
Algarve - the country of golf
Let's have a look at the map of Portugal: if we mentally travel within a province of Algarve it becomes clear that the distance between the nearest crossroads of the motorway is insignificant. Just take the EN-125 highway from the town of Faro, and any side road will take you to the world of golf. The greatest number of golf courses of Algarve is situated within an hour's drive from Faro.
Here, along the coastal line, one can find 25 professional golf clubs. Quinta do Lago area has won Portugal a reputation of an impetuously developing and in some ways the leading country of the resort business. The resort has been created for the admirers of sports. It performs exactly this function, golf being its constant attraction pole. The golf courses of Quinta do Lago and Ria Formosa is the basis of the resort complex with the area of 2,000 square acres (1 acre = 4,047 m2). Quinta do Lago is proud of its Pinheiros Altos club with its 18-hole golf course divided into two contrasting parts, each offering a variety of different hazards. The real star within the constellation of Quinta do Lago golf courses is San Lorenzo. Built in late eighties, it occupies the honourable second place in the golf course rating of the continental Europe.
The sun shines 3000 hours a year in Algarve, so you will hardly have to play during the rain. But it is not the only reason for golf fans to come to Algarve from all over Europe. Sir Henry Cotton, who is the leading expert in golf of the 20th century, promised a great future for the golf in Algarve: the excellent climate, the remarkable nature, 150 kilometres of white sand on the coast and mountain slopes. Faro International Airport opens the doors to the golf paradise for you. According to Golf World magazine, ten local golf courses are reckoned among top 100 golf courses in continental Europe, whereas The International Association of Golf Tour Operators names Algarve the best golf tour.
Now that you have decided to play a round of golf at the seaside, listen to our recommendations. To begin with, have a round at Ocean Course golf course, which was built under the project of Henry Cotton, and at Royal Course golf course. Both courses are situated in Valle do Lobo. You have probably heard of the well-known hole 16. The fact is that thanks to the three magnificent slopes, which are situated on the way between the teeing ground and the green, this hole attracts attention of the photographers from all over the world. The Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell used to be the president of Pine Cliffs golf club. Hole 6 at the edge of a gully, which one can reach by a stroke over the beach, was, probably, one of the most serious trials for him. Also remember the name of Palmares, which is situated in the vicinity of the historical city of Lagos, as well as the name of San Lorenzo, which is situated in the exclusive Quinta do Lago or Quinta da Ria within the area of Ria Formosa National Park.
Castro Marim golf course lies near Guadiana River. The course design repeats the wavy relief of the area and includes several water ponds. The golf round in Benamor resembles a walk in the open air among the fig, olive, carob trees and cork oaks. The excellent course in Quinta da Ria in Ria Formosa National park will not let you feel indifferent. But be careful - don't let the magnificent panoramic view of Guadiana River, the Atlantic Ocean, the mountains and Ria Formosa National Park distract you from the accurately aimed stroke on start.
A special golf course of Pinheiros Altos near Ria Formosa National Park consists of two opposite 9 hole golf courses. The first 9 hole course lies on dunes among pine trees. The second 9 hole course is shorter and contains water hazards. The 17th green has a shape of an island - an exact copy of the 17th green of the American TPC. In Lagos, not far from one of the best beaches of Algarve Praia da Luz, the golf course Boavista is supplemented by almond and carob trees and the magnificent views of the sea and the mountains of Serra de Monchique.
The golf course of Palmares, where the oldest amateur Almond Blossom tournament has been held since 1977, possesses two kinds of landscape: some of holes are situated at the sea (several greens have a magnificent view of Lagos bay), whereas other holes are turned towards the mountains of Serra de Monchique. This course is part of Le Meridien Penina tourist complex and consists of eight holes and two fairways with nine holes each. This is the place where Sir Henry Cotton used to play using the donkey named Pacifico (means 'Silent') as a caddy.
You will find six more first-class golf courses between Albufeira and Lagos. Among them: Pine Cliffs, which is spectacularly situated on rocks over one of the best beaches; Salgados with its smartly arranged water hazards; and Penina. The oldest golf course of Algarve - Penina - was built by Sir Henry Cotton. Near the western end of Algarve one will find Parque de Floresta golf course, the hilly configuration of which demands a great patience and a confident stroke from the player. Alentejo plain to the north from Algarve has been considered until recently to be a place where one could find a seclusion from mass tourist madness. Now there has been built the first golf course named Marvao. This is a historical place, and one can see the remains of an ancient Roman town along the golf course. The four beautiful lakes can be put among the well-know sights of Marvao.
It is difficult to make a choice, but since the distances are small here, you can enjoy an opportunity to play on all the courses. Just add the wonderful fish and seafood dishes, sunbathing at the magnificent beaches, and open air terraces with a view of the sea to your favourite kind of sports. Is it possible to imagine anything better than that?
Golf to the north and south from Lisbon
Devote some days to golf at the western coast, which will strengthen your body and spirit better than the winds blowing from the Atlantic. The kings of Portugal presented the lands and cities in this area to the chosen ones, who liked to spend time in their castles. You will also enjoy doing your favourite sports in close vicinity to Lisbon on the courses among the sea dunes or surrounded by pines trees and acacias.
If until now you haven't had reasons to consider Lisbon a place of tourist pilgrimage, although its originality serves well enough for this purpose, now golf has added even more appeal to this city. Visit Lisbon and you will be surprised with its amazing similarity with San Francisco. This city is defiantly elegant, if one can say so, and therefore, unforgettable. There are more than 12 golf courses and all within easy reach, including Troy golf course, which is reckoned by the specialists as one of the most complicated in Portugal.
Having taken a car ferry in Setubal, you will get to one of the most well-known creations of Robert Trent Jones - the golf courses located at the coastline of a peninsula. Lisbon Sports Club possesses a number of different sports constructions, among which there is also an 18-hole golf course. To the north of Lisbon there is a golf course of exceptional quality, Penha Longa, which has twice welcomed Portuguese Open Championship. In the mountains of the central part of the country several excellent golf courses are open or being constructed.
Praia del Rey, the golf course situated at the coast with a view of Berlengas islands, has been recognized as the seventh in Europe by Golf World magazine for its characteristics. But do not be carried away by the sight of the Atlantic ocean near the 11th and the 12th holes, otherwise you will have to overcome the distance of 570 metres to reach the 17th hole.
Quinta de Brinsal, a real course for the champions designed by an American architect Rocky Rockmore, is framed by pines, eucalyptus trees, mimosas and acacias. Several trees block the fairway near the 15th hole. But it is not the sole test for your skills: at the 3rd hole the ball has to fly over the lake to get Par 4.
Apart from these courses there are Botado Golf Club and Vimeiro golf course situated on the western coast.
A golf course "Aroeira II" is located on the territory of a big tourist complex. Here, the lawn of type Penn A2 had been used for the first time in Portugal. The lawn can be cut to 2mm height, which makes the game on its spacious greens (some of them being more than 700 m2) especially fast and fascinating. The difficulty increases in the course of the game, when you have to overcome bunkers on fairways and five big water ponds.
The magnificent course in Troia, located in the woodland park between Tejo estuary and the ocean, is famous for its 3rd hole (Par 4) which has been included into his ideal golf course top 18 holes by Robert Trent Jones. Its narrow fairways and greens surrounded by pines are well-protected by bunkers placed at 'strategic' places.
You will not have a chance to become indifferent having visited six courses in Oporto in the north of the country, one of which is the second oldest golf course in Europe - Porto Golf Stadium. The course was built in 1890 and represents a unique chain of courses located near the beach of Espino. The firm tradition of this club is its right to welcome Skeffington Cup, which has been held since 1891 at the same time.
For recover, remember that you are in a region famous for its wines, Azeitao cheese and fresh fish dishes.