Monte Rei | Perfect Days
David Shepherd, Monte Rei’ s director of golf, is guiding us through the course today and we are soon grateful for his advice. The 72 par course is challenging but breathtaking. The Golden Bear has worked with the contours of the terrain to create a beautiful course that is truly one of the best we have played. Each hole has four tee positions to ensure a memorable experience for every level of golfer, and even though we know we are one of several groups on the course today, we are never made to feel rushed thanks to the generously staggered tee time intervals of at least 12 minutes. We rarely catch a glimpse of the group behind us and when we do, they are on the distant horizon.
The course is kept in tournament condition on a daily basis with well maintained greens, pristine bunkers and water hazards. Native plants are used throughout the course and views extend all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Villas and plots surround the course they do not intrude upon the space but blend seamlessly into the landscape.
When our round finishes, we are greeted and presented with a souvenir Monte Rei bag tag before our clubs are whisked away to be cleaned. We head to the well-appointed locker rooms to collect our things before heading to our villa in the O Miradouro Village. These exquisite villas, built in the Algarvian vernacular boast four bedrooms, four luxury bathrooms, private gardens, terraces and swimming pool. Each of the homes sleeps eight adults and we are tempted to make use of the outdoor barbecue and dining facilities the following day.
28 | Summer 2012 | www. portugal-life. net |