Destination Golf Travel (Autumn 2022) * | Page 37

DESTINATIONGOLF . TRAVEL
Designed by true golfing legend Arnold Palmer , Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course was hailed as the most ambitious golf project Portugal ever witnessed .
At the time of creation , Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Portugal , with an area of about 90 hectares , was hailed as the most ambitious golf project Portugal had ever witnessed . Designed by true golfing legend , Arnold Palmer , there is absolutely no doubt that it has lived up to that lofty billing .
This is one of the golf courses in Vilamoura , Portugal , considered to be one of the best and most challenging in Europe , and features an exceptional driving range and a putting green of some 2,500 m2 . All of this has made it the obvious venue of choice for many of the top international tournaments to visit Portugal in recent times . Indeed , it has served as the host venue to the Portugal Masters on every occasion since 2007 , while the World Cup Championship was staged there in 2005 .
The Par-72 Championship layout , measuring 6.651 meters ( 7,273 yards ) from the Palmer tees , incorporates and has ensured the preservation of natural wetlands on-site , as well as the typical vegetation of carob , olive and almond trees . A significant proportion of Dom Pedro Victoria ’ s acreage is occupied by lakes , forming hazards to be avoided but which also have a strategic purpose in providing reservoirs for irrigation .
A number of teeing options on each hole ( often as many as six are offered ), accompanied by wide but undulating fairways , provide a fair test of golf , although water and cleverly-positioned bunkers pose a constant threat .
The Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course , in Portugal , quickly became one of the best courses to play golf in the Algarve , with a layout that presents a challenge even for the most seasoned players .
DOM PEDRO OLD COURSE In the heart of Vilamoura lies the “ Grande Dame ” of Algarve golf courses , Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club in Portugal . As one of the first-established layouts in the region , the Frank Pennink-design is well regarded throughout the golfing world . Although it is but a mere 20-minute drive from Faro Airport , the course finds itself situated amongst impressive pine trees and set out over gently undulating terrain . There can be no argument that , for all who are lucky enough to play here , the Dom Pedro Old Course in Vilamoura lives long in the memory .
The modernisation programme preserved the challenge of this magnificent layout for future generations and raised the quality of Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club to new heights . An attractive new clubhouse and the putting green adjacent were the finishing touches to this renovation in the final years of the last millennium and still add much to the golfer ’ s experience . As with each Vilamoura course , detailed management systems ensure environmental protection practices are strictly adhered to .
Among Algarve and Vilamoura golf courses , Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club remains one of the biggest references , known internationally for its layout and exquisite clubhouse .
Dom Pedro Old Course , in Vilamoura , is a must stop during your golf holidays in Portugal .
DOM PEDRO MILLENNIUM It is often asserted that Dom Pedro Millennium was pivotal in cementing the status of this region as one of Europe ’ s most-visited and best-loved for golf .
The par-72 Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course in Vilamoura , Portugal , is often asserted that the creation of the Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course was pivotal in cementing the status of this region as one of Europe ’ s most-visited and best-loved for golf . Opened in the year 2000 – comprising nine brand new holes and a refurbished inward half which had previously formed part of the original 27-hole Dom Pedro Laguna Golf Course – this is a more open course that its neighbours , although holes 3-7 wind between pine trees .
For many , this stretch bears a resemblance to fairways of Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club and Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course , where landing areas grow narrower , requiring greater accuracy . A number of lakes , particularly interestingly on 17 and 18 , enrich the remaining holes of the Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course , where a simple course strategy is always the best approach .
For playing golf in the Algarve , the Dom Pedro Millennium Golf Course is one of Vilamoura ’ s best deals .
DOM PEDRO PINHAL The Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course is one of our Algarve ’ s golf courses , and it was opened for play in 1976 and owes its personality to both the original designer Frank Pennink , who also turned his hand to Dom Pedro Old Course Golf Club nearby , and Robert Trent
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