Golf in Portimao
With its exceptional climate and beautiful countryside, Portugal has become a golfer’s paradise. The Algarve region in particular is an extremely famous and popular area where you can tee off all year round. Portimao is surrounded by golf courses, but below I have detailed information about the main greens which are in its immediate environs.
This 18 hole course was designed by European Golf Design and opened in 2006. It is situated to the north of Portimao and laid out as a neighbour to its sister course Morato. Course Facilities include a driving range, putting green, golf academy, pro shop, restaurant & bar
The course stands in a large 980 hectare estate through undulating small valleys. It has large greens which place the emphasis on good putting skills as they are often raised above the fairway approach and involve several levels. The shot accuracy of the player is also tested by deep aggressive bunkers.
To get to the Alamos Golf Course take the road to the north from Portimao in the direction of Monchique and Silves and under the new A22 Motorway. From the access roundabout of the A22 follow the signs to Monchique and Silves. After 1.1 kms take a left turn and drive a further 1.2 kms to the west where you take a right turn into the Morato Estate. Follow the road to the Club House. (11.8 kilometres in total)
Telephone: (00351) 282 402 150
A challenging 18 hole course which was designed by Sir Henry Cotton
and opened in 1991, the Alto is located in Alvor which is the area dividing
Portimao from the sea. It has a deceptive par-3 opening with its dog-legs,
strategic and elevated bunkers and cunningly landscaped wooded areas.
The par-5 on the sixteenth is one of the longest holes in Europe.
Facilities are excellent here with buggies, trolleys and clubs for hire as well as a driving range, putting green, pro shop, restaurant and bar. Group and individual lessons are available of 30 or 60 minute duration.
Contact information: www.altoclub.com / Telephone: 00351 282 460 870 / Fax: 00351 282 460 879
This was originally a nine hole course which has been extended and cleverly redesigned by Ronald Fream to become an 18-hole course. The course covers undulating terrain covered with olive, almond and carob trees. It is designed for the player to be technically accurate and to know which club to use.
Course Facilities: Driving Range · Chipping Green & Bunker Area · Pro-Shop · Golf Academy · Tennis · Bowling Green · Football · Basketball · Restaurant & Bar
Website: : http://carvoeiro.pestanagolf.com
The newest 18 hole course in the Algarve set in a 980 hectare estate
with undulating valleys, the Morgado is just to the north of Portimao.
This course was designed by European Golf and has deep bunkers to test
shot accuracy and large greens demanding good putting skills. Another
18 hole course is in the planning stages here.
The Morgado has its own driving range, putting green, pro shop, golf academy and club house with restaurant and bar. Beginners and advanced schools of three days duration are offered as well as 30 or 60 minute lessons.
Contact information: www.morgadogolf.com Telephone: 00351 282 402 150 / Fax: 00351 282 402 153
Situated just outside Portimao on the Lagoa Road, the Penina Championship
Course is
on a site which was originally a rice paddy field, and is described
as the grandfather of courses in the Algarve. Originally designed in
1966 it is the masterpiece of the British designer Sir Henry Cotton, and
is a flat 18 hole course for the stronger player. A beautiful course,
with a labyrinth of fairways and greens, over half a million trees and
shrubs are planted here camouflaging strategically placed water hazards.
There is the main championship course which is 18 holes, par 73, or you can play one of the two Par 71 9 hole Resort Courses. There is also the par 30 Academy Course with 9 holes and a large lake on the par-3 third and very long par-5 on the fourth.
This par 73 course has a club house with restaurant and bar, tennis courts, driving range, putting green, golf academy, and pro shop. Manual and electric trolleys are for hire. Thirty minute and one hour lessons can be arranged.
Contact Information: www.peninalemeridien.com / Telephone: 00351 282 420 200 / Fax: 00351 282 420 300
This is a well laid out and interesting 18 hole course designed by Ronald Fream. It opened in 1992 and stands in a landscape covered with almond, olive and carob trees decorating a course that rolls through small valleys and hills. Some of the olive trees are reputed to be in the region of 1,500 years old. Two holes that deserve special mention are the par-3 tenth and the par-5 thirteenth. The former has a large bunker defending the green against your shot, and the latter winds through a valley for 541 metres.
Course Facilities: Driving Range · Chipping Green & Bunker Area · Pro-Shop · Golf Academy · Tennis · Lawn Bowling · Football · Basketball · Restaurant & Bar
Website: www.pestanagolf.com
18 hole course which opened in 2007
This latest course belonging to the Pestana Group opened in 2007. It was designed by Fausto Nascimento and is surrounded by fruit orchards and small farms. The course has been designed to test the player's quality in hitting a well directed ball using the correct choice of club. This point is emphasised as you stand on the first tee faced by two water hazards flanking the fairway. The course has been described as good for attacking play whilst the bunkers are well placed to cause possible trouble to big hitters.
To reach the club drive west along the A22 (Via Infante) motorway and turn off at Lagoa and bear right towards Silves. At the next roundabout bear right and then left back under the motorway - signs "Golf" indicate the direction. Immediately bear right and follow the road to Silves train station. About 100 metres before crossing turn to the right and follow this winding road until you come to the entrance of the course on the left side.
Website: http://carvoeiro.pestanagolf.com
Vale do Milho is a challenging nine hole course, all of them Par 3, which was designed by David Thomas and is ideal for practicing with short irons.
Many golfers are surprised that a 970 metres long course can be so complete and challenging, offering a series of obstacles from the first right through to the final hole. The distance and the difficulties posed by these Par 3 holes varies, but number 11 is the longest at 161 metres and shortest is hole number 3, covering just 70 metres.
Vale de Milho, situated near Carvoeiro a very attractive course, with waterfalls and wonderful views over the sea. Facilities include a putting green, snack bar and golf shop.
To get to the club leave Faro on the EN 125 for Portimao. Turn off in Lagoa onto the EN 124-1 for Carvoeiro and follow the golf course signs in Poco Partido or Praia do Carvoeiro
Website: www.valedemilhogolf.com
© Portimao Guide.com 2009