A bit of history
The original idea emerged from the Grande Hotel da Praia da Rocha company in 1932, in response to the demands of the growing number of English guests in the area. They came from London to take advantage of the climate and needed to be provided with appropriate conditions for their leisure and well-being. Practitioners were not legion in Portugal, unlike in the Anglo-Saxon countries where this activity was widely spread.
"A golf course would be an attraction of choice for tourists of all nationalities and even many nationals, among whom the cult of the game is greatly reinforced. Near Praia da Rocha, there is more than one splendid place to set up a golf course and several tennis courts. ": this is what was written in the Correio do Sul
of May 1933.It must be realized that at that time the Hotel da Praia da Rocha had a ratio of 30 English to 3 French, and to occupy the tourists, it was necessary to innovate. To this end, the Portimão Chamber of Commerce and the Praia da Rocha Initiative Commission felt that such facilities could be subsidised by the State. The idea was launched and the means found to make it happen.
Before that, in the north, there was already interest in the matter and a British group of wine exporters had already formed a club, the Oporto Niblicks Club in 1890, renamed the Oporto Golf Club in 1901. This century-old course still exists in Oporto and is considered to be the oldest in Europe. It still hosts a competition, the Skeffington Cup, without interruption since 1891!
Sir Henry Cotton then revolutionized golf in Portugal by opening the remarkable and legendary Penina in 1966. By receiving journalists and opinion leaders, the region was suddenly put under the spotlight and Penina attracted the biggest stars of the time such as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope or Sean Connery. But the personality who made the biggest impact on the area was undoubtedly Paul McCartney. One evening in 1968, he joined the bar orchestra, played drums and composed the song Penina.Golf events and competitions in Algarve
Thanks to the large number of championship golf courses and the magnificent and varied landscape, the Algarve is a fantastic backdrop for top-level competitions.
The most notable competition is the Portugal Masters, which is also one of the most popular events on the European circuit. Every year the event, which attracts crowds, is played on the famous Dom Pedro Victoria course.
The Dom Pedro International Classic tournament takes place every year in January and attracts the cream of professional golfers. The tournament takes place on the beautiful Vilamoura golf course, organized by the Dom Pedro and Golf Collection hotels.
The Dom Pedro Junior Masters is also held at the Vilamoura Golf Course in July each year and is aimed at young players under 18 years of age.
The Algarve also caters for beginners golfers and hosts the Nations Cup every year in September. The international amateur golf competition is played over 54 holes at the Vale do Lobo Golf Resort.
With so many events and a huge choice of courses, it is no surprise that golf in the Algarve has become a major discipline that attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year!The charm of the courses
Between Lagos, Sagres and the Serra de Monchique, there are courses with different degrees of difficulty, where the greens and fairways are framed by beautiful natural landscapes, promising great golf. It is in this area, near Portimão, that we can find the oldest course in the Algarve, the Penina Championship Course.
The most central area, between Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, is one of the most luxurious in the Algarve, with scenic courses combining links and fairways with cliffs, lakes and bunkers. It is worth mentioning that hole 16 of the Royal Golf Course of Vale do Nobo, intersected by the cliffs to cross to pitch the green, is the most Instagrammed in Europe.
To the east, between Tavira, Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António, the terrain is flatter but just as challenging. The imaginative design of these courses prioritizes the region's native species, such as fig trees, olive trees, carob trees, umbrella pines and oaks. Praia Verde Resort is a great place to stop, with many courses nearby.Overview of high-voltige greens
MONTE REI GOLF COURSE
This is THE golf course of reference in the region and is regularly ranked as the most exclusive in the country. Located in the picturesque foothills of the eastern Algarve, with a breathtaking view of the red mountains of the Serra do Caldeirão, its layout winds through the hills. The multitude of bunkers, fairway slopes and a total of 11 water hazards present a great challenge for players of all levels. Opened in 2007, it is the very first course designed by the prestigious American champion and golf designer Jack Nicklaus, nicknamed The Golden Bear in Portugal. As an added bonus, you'll leave with your name engraved on a souvenir gift to complete the experience.
SAO LORENZO GOLF COURSE
The rolling landscape of pine forests, saltwater lagoons and marshes make for a bucolic golf course surrounded by the Ria Formosa National Reserve, a protected environment that is home to flamingos and over 70 species of birds. The two 9 holes form an 8-hole course with a pleasant clubhouse and the rest of the course offers splendid views of the mountains and the sea. The course was designed by the American architect Joseph Lee, who took advantage of the beautiful topography of the Quinta do Lago estate. Playing in the midst of this fragile yet tamed nature will give an aesthetic emotion to your day.
DOM PEDRO OLD COURSE
The Dom Pedro Old Course is one of the oldest and most renowned courses in the region. It is located only 20 minutes drive from Faro airport. Offering a beautiful walk through a natural theater, the Old Course winds through majestic pine trees and stretches over naturally rolling terrain. Modernized to meet environmental protection standards, it remains one of the region's greatest references.
PENINA CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE
Considered the original golf course in the Algarve and a living memory for its brilliant designer and developer, Sir Henry Cotton. The site of the Penina Championship Golf Course was originally a rice field, which was converted into a flat and challenging 18-hole course for the gotha of the discipline. Today, the course is described as challenging but as unforgiving as it is beautiful. Flanked by streams, ditches and water hazards, it offers a wide range of subtle slopes and rich, lush vegetation. Fifty years later, the course's towering pines and eucalyptus trees and greens are a testament to impeccable maintenance and a grand vision for magnifying golf in the Algarve.
OCEANICO VICTORIA
At the time of its creation in 1968, the Oceanico Victoria course was hailed as the most ambitious golf project in the country. Designed by golfing legend Arnold Palmer, there is no doubt that the result was worthy of the name. Spanning 90 hectares, the site encompasses one of the most complete golf complexes in Europe, and features an exceptional driving range and a putting green of approximately 2,500 square meters. All of this has made the venue the choice for the best international tournaments and it has hosted the Portugal Masters since 2007 and the PGA World Cup. The Par-72 championship course incorporates natural wetlands, as well as carob, olive and almond trees. A large part of the area of Victoria is occupied by lakes, a strategic objective that provides irrigation reservoirs. It has become one of the best courses in the country, but its configuration presents a challenge to even the most seasoned players.
QUINTA DO LAGO
The famous Quinta do Lago is a 5-star resort with three championship courses (North, South and Laranjal) nestled in 2,000 hectares of countryside and pine forests bordering the ocean and the Ria Formosa Park. Since its inception in 1972, it has remained at the forefront of international golf and has won several awards of excellence for its outstanding natural beauty. It also has a highly regarded learning and coaching facility. The fully renovated North Course was one of the most talked about golf projects in 2014 and is set to become the number one course in European golf. Redesigned by architect Beau Welling, in collaboration with European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, the redevelopment emphasizes precision and strategy. Bermuda grass has been introduced around the greens to create a myriad of recovery shot options for increased satisfaction at all levels of play.Good plans
Club to hire
. No more need to transport your equipment: clubs can be booked and picked up directly on arrival at Faro airport.9-hole golf courses
. There are a few 9-hole courses where the rules are more flexible (a handicap certificate will not be required). To locate some of them : Vilamoura, Balaia Village, Pine Cliffs and Vale de Milho.Algarve Golf Society (also known as Chez Carlos Golf Society), created more than 10 years ago by a group of golfers with the idea that it would be a great way to socialize while enjoying their common passion. Today, the association plays golf every Saturday and almost every Wednesday. The annual membership fee is surprisingly inexpensive and will give you access to the society's tournaments and discounted golf rates at several golf courses in Portugal. If you are a frequent visitor, the Algarve Golf Society is a great way to get benefits and improve your swing as well as your english
! The Algarve is far from having finished cultivating its tradition of hospitality on the greens that line its land.
