Pestana Vila Sol
Pinheiros Altos Dom Pedro Victoria
Pinheiros Altos is an independent 27-hole course designed by
Ronald Fream and Jorge Santana. The course has an unusual layout
with three nines of contrasting character -- ‘The Pines’, ‘The Corks’
and ‘The Olives’. The Pines, as its name suggests, meanders through
typical Algarvian pine woods whereas many water hazards must be
negotiated coming home. The rest is much flatter but the holes work
their way through a series of lakes requiring accurate driving and
precise iron play. The greens have a reputation for being the most
difficult to read and to hit because they are small and undulating
and usually in very good condition. Seen by many as the jewel of the golf portfolio in the Algarve,
Victoria Golf Course is one of seven courses in the Algarve
that are owned and managed by the Oceanico Group. The
Championship par-72 course measures over 6,560 metres and
occupies a total area of 90 hectares. Designed by legendary
golfer Arnold Palmer, this possesses wide undulating fairways,
large greens, man made lakes, well positioned bunkers, and typical
Portuguese vegetation such as carob, olive and almond trees. The
course has hosted many prestigious tournaments, and been home to
the Portuguese Masters on the European Tour for the last few years.
Pestana Vila Sol San Lorenzo
The magnificent 27-hole course at Pestana Vila Sol Spa & Golf
Resort is surrounded by a vast 150 hectares. The resort is situated
in the heart of one of the most highly developed tourist areas in
the Algarve. It has stunning natural surroundings with a vast range
of fauna, animal and plant life. At Pestana Vila Sol Golf you will
find a fabulous Donald Steel design, which stretches along a wide
valley, naturally sculpted by Mother Nature and divided into three
loops with three different levels of difficulty: Prime, Challenge
and Prestige. Pestana Vila Sol Golf has twice played host to the
Portuguese Open, in 1992 and 1993. It was honoured by the Green
Globe organisation in 1996 with the Green Flag award, certification
of meeting their environmental requirements. San Lorenzo offers the golfer a rare beauty and unique golfing
experience. Situated in the exclusive Quinta do Lago estate, the
course runs parallel to the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa which is
always oozing with wildlife and alive with chirpy sounds of nature.
The course is a very enjoyable 6,238 metre par-72 layout, but one
can be forgiven to be distracted by the panoramic beach views
and inherent beauty. Designed in 1988 by American golf architect,
Joseph Lee and his partner, W. Roquemore, the course is heavily
trafficked by club members. It is owned by Hotel Dona Filipa, who
run golf packages throughout the year and pre-booking is advised.
The layout presents 18 cleverly carved holes that weave their way
through lakes, pine wood forests and white sanded beaches that
are dotted along the Algarve coastline.
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