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The course is part of one of Europe’s most
comprehensive holiday resorts. It is a dream
destination for families and couples alike.
At Pestana Vila Sol we fi nd the work of
another respected English designer, Donald
Steel. He created three fabulous loops of nine
that between mature trees and with frequent
elevation changes, you are constantly thinking
at Vila Sol. On the fi rst loop, four large lakes
make you think a little more nervously while
throughout, there are some wickedly
undulating greens, all manicured beautifully
and running quick and true.
Vale do Lobo is a high-class resort with two
special courses. In fact Cotton’s original
design was split to provide the basis of both,
which were crafted by under-rated American
Rocky Roquemore. The Ocean features
undulating fairways that run along a nature
reserve, before leading gently down to the
shores of the Atlantic. The two spectacular
par 4s – 11th and 14th – offer some of the
best views in the Algarve. The par-3 15th –
alongside the beach – is also world class.
It might be the premier course here but
Vale do Lobo’s Royal boasts one of the
continent’s iconic holes in the par-3 16th. It is
played over the red cliffs that begin a lovely
closing stretch offering some splendid views.
The Royal is characterised by fairways
rolling through stretches of pine and beautiful
lakes surrounded by wild fl owers. The short
9th’s green is virtually an island.
San Lorenzo has long been one of the stars
of continental golf owing to its sensational
location alongside the Ria Formosa nature
reserve. It is a fi xture in the upper echelons of
any reputable continental courses ranking.
It was feted American architect Joe Lee
who laid out this outstanding course in 1988
and his design takes advantage of a wonderful
topography that winds gently over undulating
land decorated by a mature pine woodland.
Bordering the salt water lagoons, SanLorenzo is laid out in a fi gure of eight with the
stretch from the 5th to the 8th magical.
Here, elevated drives and magnifi cent views
combine to take the breath away, with the 8th
an all-world par 5. It borders the largest of the
inland lakes and forces the third shot to carry
water to a tight but beautifully positioned
green.
It is overseen by a characterful old
clubhouse that is distinctive from others here,
all weathered wood and charm rather than
shiny glass and opulence. There is no
accommodation on site with San Lorenzo’s
sister hotel Dona Filipa fulfi lling that role.
Salgados sits next to the eponymous
Beach and Lagoon Nature Reserve, with
almost all the holes are fl anked by lagoons. It
is a beautiful location, one of the most serene
in the Algarve, and offers views over the
ocean. Gentle, enjoyable and fun, there is nice
on-site accommodation. Vastly under-rated.
Not many clubs can offer three magnifi cent
courses, but legendary Quinta do Lago does.
All three of its courses are out of the top
drawer, with two in Golf World’s Continental
Top 100 and the other in the Next 100.
The South is regarded as the pick,
boasting a delightful location alongside the
lagoon but also a proper golfi ng test. It is
widely regarded as one of Europe’s top 50.
The North sits alongside it and has been
rvamped to impressive effect by Beau Welling
and Paul McGinley. Now very playable and in
immaculate condition, it is a championship
course with fun and enjoyment as its theme.
It might have been the third course to open
at Quinta do Lago but the Laranjal – originally
an orange grove, and sitting fi ve minutes’
drive from the others – is now a beautiful golf
experience of narrow fairways lined by
umbrella pines, cork-oaks and orange trees.WWW.VISITGOLFALGARVE.COM
WHEN YOU’RE THERE...
Why not head to Zoomarine with the family?
Here you can watch dolphin shows, learn about
what goes on under the sea and enjoy one of
many water slides for all ages and swimming
capacities. Fantastic fun for all ages.‘Pine Cliff s allows
golfers to drink in
breathtaking views
along the coastline’
Va le do LoboVISITGOLFALGARVE