As most
golfers know the Algarve is famous for quality golf and the
Spanish Algarve is no exception.
There are innumerable courses within easy distance to suit every
mood.
Listed below are a few to give you a flavour.
Huelva la Luz - Spain
Costa Esuri GC
Yards: 6670 Par: 72
The Costa Esuri (West) Golf Club
opened in the autumn of 2006 being the first of 2 courses on
Costa Esuri. The East course opened in February 2008. The West
course is well worth playing and although relatively new the
greens are in excellent condition and the course overall is
quite interesting. The front nine runs back & forth along side
the Guadiana River (the border between the Eastern Algarve &
Spain) and offers some great views. It has a very “links like”
feel to it. The back nine is more inland and a little more
traditional with more water features to challenge every level of
golfer. Stroke index 1 is currently the par 3 12th, a longish
(169 metres from the yellow) carry across water. An enjoyable
course.
The new East Course is approximately 6,900 yards long, and is
set amongst the sloping terraine of the banks of the Guadiana
River, and has views to the sea and the town of Ayamonte from
the highest points of the course. It is a more technical course
than the older West track.
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Isla Canela GC
Yards: 6833 Par: 72
Isla Canela is a relatively flat,
open course but do not take it lightly. Water comes into play on
no fewer than 10 holes and straying from the fairway leads to
big trouble so accurate play is required. Good clubhouse.
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This championship 27-hole course
is well-designed and built to the highest specifications. Built
upon 73 Hectares the Course is immersed in a forest of pine
trees with wonderful views over the Atlantic Ocean and the beach.
The Course has 3 choices of 18 holes for 3 different styles of
play: Blue Course, very demanding and designed for low
handicaps. Green Course, which combines the need for length and
accuracy. Ideal for average handicaps. Yellow Course, the
easiest one, and perfect for higher handicaps.
El Rompido GC
Yards: 6850 Par: 72
El Rompido Golf Club opened mid
2003 to fantastic reviews throughout Europe. The original El
Rompido South Course is a challenging and beautiful course, and
with the recent addition of the fabulous El Rompido North Course
the reputation of this superb facility can only grow.
The El Rompido Golf Club South Course hosted the 2004 & 2005
final of the national Daily Mail Foursomes, and is hotly tipped
to host many more national and international tournaments in
coming years.
The El Rompido South Course itself sprawls across an intriguing
mix of parkland and marshland and offers some amazing views –
the walk from the 8th green to the 9th tee takes you across a
650ft pontoon right across the protected marshland where you can
see freshwater crabs and an abundance of bird life.
Winding through the protected salt marsh area the El Rompido -
North course is a superbly designed test of golf. With a varied
range of hole styles the course has a test in store for players
of all standards. The front nine features a run of holes with
very tight drives - a typical "risk and reward" opening 9; while
the back 9 is shorter, but demands greater accuracy from the
fairway into small target greens which are of a consistently
high standard.
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Nuevo Portil
Yards: 5,988 Par: 71
Located in an area with natural
vegetation, mainly populated with pine, running along the sea to
the south. This sandy field with its mild features includes a
great variety of sceneries with even areas and gentle slopes,
perfect for a round of golf. While the course’s smart technical
design is suitable for international championships, golfers of
every level will find the course enjoyable.
Bellavista GC
Yards: 6276 Par: 70
Few visitors to Southern Spain
realise that this area was first visited and colonised by the
British well over 100 years ago. Attracted by the mineral
resources at the Rio Tinto mines north of Huelva many Britons
came to find wealth and a new life. With them they brought their
two main sporting passions – golf and football. From the
sporting interests and enthusiasm of these British pioneers the
oldest golf club in Spain, Bellavista (1916), and the oldest
football club, Huelva FC were established.
The result of this early development at Bellavista Golf Club is
a course and club that is more traditional than the usual
Spanish offering.
This is true members club in the British style. More undulating
than many in the coastal area, the course is a challenge for
most golfers that belies it's par of just 70. With a number of
long par 5's and also some lengthy par 4's, just to reach the
fantastically manicured greens in regulation will be an
achievement for many.
Just to say that you have played at the oldest course in a
country which has become the biggest golf destination in Europe
should be enough for most true golfers.
Dunas De Doñana GC
Yards: 6425 Par: 71
Located in the heart of the
Doñana National Park, in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
A true test of golf with many different kinds of hazards
including its famed island green.
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Eastern Algarve -
Portugal
Monte Rei GC
Yards: 7197 Par: 72
Situated in the unspoiled Eastern
Algarve region on the southern coast of Portugal, Monte Rei Golf
& Country Club - a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course - will
encompass over 1,000 acres of countryside and is sure to be one
of the premiere golf resorts in Europe. The course itself is
unusual in that it will have five par-5 and five par-3 holes,
built around five lakes and, because of this, it will play
longer than its 7197 yards.
Naturally, in addition to all of this, there will be a world
class driving range with extensive practice facilities. All
green fee rates at Monte Rei are inclusive of shared golf cart,
bottled waters, course guide, and complimentary access to the
practice facilities prior to play with Callaway balls and a
personalized engraved bag tag.
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Quinta do Vale GC
Yards: 7119 Par: 72
Designed by Severiano Ballesteros,
Quinta do Vale Golf Resort features an 18-hole Championship
layout including 6 Par-5´s, 6 Par-4´s and 6 Par-3´s.
Marvellously integrated in the landscape and with a luxurious
view over the Guadiana River, the course sits into a natural
valley always overlooked from 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. Numerous
dogleg holes, wide fairways and obstacles enhance the course
quality and its breath-taking surroundings…The challenge waits
at Quinta do Vale Golf Resort.
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Benamor Golf Club
Yards: 6017 Par: 71
Located about 30 minutes east of
Faro, close to Tavira, this layout opened in May 2000 and is
very popular. The course was adapted from Henry Cotton’s
original concept and offers an interesting challenge amid
peaceful surroundings. Cork oaks, water and contoured greens
feature prominently and it is well worth the drive.
Castro Marim Atlantic GC
Yards: 6010 Par: 72
Opened in March 2000, and the
first phase of a luxury resort, Castro Marim brings further
weight to the impressive golf portfolio east of Faro. The layout
demands accurate play and has stunning mountain, river and sea
views. The challenging aspects of the course, whilst providing
interest to the expert, are also a test to the ability of the
average handicap golfer and yet remain pleasurable to both.
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Quinta da Ria
Yards: 6517 Par: 72
This splendid new course is
located 6 kms east of Tavira and opened in 2001. The first of
two 18-hole golf courses (see Quinta da Cima below) extends
itself in a spectacular location on the coast of the eastern
Algarve, known locally as “Sotavento”. Quinta da Ria, situated
in the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, has already been described by
experienced golfers as the most breathtaking golf course in the
Region. In fact, there will be no houses, or villas, or
apartments to distract you from your game: just you and nature.
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Quinta da Cima GC
Yards: 6950 Par: 72
Sister course to Quinta da Ria (see
above), this layout opened for play in the summer of 2002 and is
another of excellent quality. Set among olive groves it is a
tougher test of golf than Quinta da Ria with very tricky greens.
