Destination Golf Global (Summer 2020) | Page 19

Praia do Inatel, Albufeira Salgados Beach Salgados Dunas Suites Englishman and renowned golf course architect Sir Henry Cotton first designed and oversaw the construction of Penina’s Championship course, the Algarve has become synonymous with the quintessential golf break in the sun. Dotted along a 240 kilometre stretch of Atlantic-washed coastline running from Sagres in the west to Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the east, are dozens of diverse top-drawer courses to tee it up - from big hitters like the Nicklaus-designed Monte Rei and Quinta do Lago’s ultra-manicured 54 holes, to lesser-known layouts such as Salgados and Morgado Golf & Country Club. As an added bonus, the region is blessed with a mild winter climate and 300 plus days of sunshine which means you can play all year round. Away from the golf courses its not just about the unashamedly extrovert coastal resort towns like Albufiera and Lagos, with their trappings of beach culture, buzzing nightlife, casinos, water sports and bars. For starters, how about wandering Faro’s (the region’s capital) venerable Cidade Velha (Old Town) set within a circle of medieval walls, walking nature trails at Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (an extensive lagoon, sand dune, marshland habitat that is a sanctuary for birds), and exploring traditional coastal villages like Ferragudo, Salema and Benagil where you can dine on fabulous Volume 5 • Issue 52 19