DESTINATIONGOLF . TRAVEL
ALGARVE
Vila Sol
San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo is famous for its beauty and its unique golfing experience . Situated in the exclusive Quinta do Lago estate , the course runs parallel to the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa , which is full of wildlife and alive with the sounds of nature . The course is a very enjoyable 6,238 metre par-72 layout , but golfers are often distracted by the panoramic beach views of the early holes and the beauty elsewhere on and around the course . Designed in 1988 by American golf architect , Joseph Lee , and his partner , W . Roquemore , the cleverly sculpted holes weave their way through lakes , pine wood forests and white sanded beaches dotted along the Algarve coastline . The course is very popular with its club members . Owned by Hotel Dona Filipa , golf packages are available throughout the year and pre-booking is advised .
Vila Sol
The magnificent 27-hole course at Vila Sol is surrounded by 150 hectares . The resort is situated in the heart of one of the most highly developed tourist areas in the Algarve , and yet it has stunning natural surroundings with a vast range of trees , plants and wildlife . Here you will find a fabulous Donald Steel design , which stretches through a wide valley naturally sculpted by Mother Nature and divided into three loops , each with a different level of difficulty . These are named Prime , Challenge and Prestige . The course 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 , the certification for meeting their high environmental requirements .
Pinheiros Altos
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 with many water hazards to be negotiated coming home . The other two nines are smoother , meandering through a series of lakes . Accurate driving and precise iron play is required . The greens have a reputation for being the both difficult to read and difficult to hit because they are small and undulating .
Balaia Golf Village
Just outside the popular region of Albufeira is the popular Balaia golf course . A nine hole Par-3 gem that will test every golfer , irrespective of their handicap . With holes ranging in distance from 67 metres to 160 metres featuring undulating fairways and excellent greens , the course will test your distance control and short game . From the very start , the beauty of this course is apparent as the first hole is surrounded by two lakes that are divided by an old wooden bridge . Full Clubhouse facilities are available after your round , and as it ’ s part of an extensive resort , this provides an ideal base for individual or groups of golfers to the Algarve .
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