AZORES TOURISM: Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, a crater of an old underwater volcano carved by nature, on San Miguel Island, Azores.
Furnas Batalha
Built in 1936, Furnas golf course was updated in 1986 with an
additional 9-holes making it up to a 6,232metre 18-hole course.
The course has full matured and now it would be impossible to
distinguish between the new and old nines. It is located around
40 minutes from Ponta Delgada, in pleasant surroundings with
stunning beauty. The greens are small and undulating, while the
tree lined fairways are very tight. It hosts an international golfing
event each year called the Sata Azores Open - in conjunction with
the Batalha course. Designed by Cameron Powell this 6,435metre course is set on a
historic battle site, from which the course name derives. This is
the newest golf course in the Azores, a welcome addition to a golf
product that is growing in the Azores. It is located on a plain close
to Pinta Delgada, and built on volcanic rock. The fact that the
course was built on volcanic rock created difficulties in its design
and has resulted in a spectacular contrast between the green
playing areas and the dry woods standing on rocky soil to the side
of these. The course has been designed to hold major golf events,
such as the annual Azores Open.
Clube de Golfe da Ilha Terceira
Built in 1954, this Championship course is situated close to
Angra do Heroísmo, the capital of Terceira island. Tall pine-trees,
brightly-coloured flowers (particularly azaleas and hydrangeas),
several natural lakes and a superb level of upkeep, all lend this
course much of the natural beauty of the Azores. Several tees for
each hole also give the course a championship flavour and make
playing here a truly unforgettable experience. The club is run by
a tripartite group, consisting of representatives from the Regional
Government of the Azores, the Azores Air Zone and the American
Command.
The greens are small and
undulating, while the tree lined
fairways are very tight.
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