Vilamoura Golf Course Guide
The Old Course - Victoria Golf Course - Millennium Golf Course - Pinhal Golf Course - Laguna Golf Course
Other Oceanico Cousres near Silves - Oceanico Faldo Cousre - Oceanico O'Connor Jnr.
Vilamoura Golf Course Video
The Old Course
No. holes 18
PAR 73
Length 6254m
Architect Frank Pennink
Situated in the heart of Vilamoura a mere 20 minute drive from Faro airport, this Frank Pennink designed parkland style layout is one of the oldest in the region and renowned all over the golfing world. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pine trees - the principal hazard - over gently undulating natural terrain. Although it opened in 1969, the course was completely renovated and modernised 27 years later although no major changes were made to the magnificent layout.
In addition to raising the Oceanico Old Course to new heights of quality, an attractive new clubhouse and adjacent putting green were also built at that time. As with all Oceanico courses, environmental protection practices are strictly adhered to by means of detailed management systems in line with guidelines established by ISO 14001 standards, Green Globe and Committed to Green programmes.
This is one of the courses in Portugal that will always stay in the memory of visiting golfers.
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Victoria Golf Course
No. holes 18
PAR 72
Length 6609m
Slope rating 129
Architect Arnold Palmer
The Oceanico Victoria , which covers some 90 hectares, is the most recent golf course project of Arnold Palmer in Portugal. As one of the best and most sophisticated golf courses in Europe, every care has been taken to ensure the preservation of the wetlands and the typical vegetation of carob, olive and almond trees. Several lakes, occupying 13 hectares, provide mirrors of water and strategic reservoirs for irrigation.
The course features 5 or 6 tees per hole; wide, undulating fairways; extensive water hazards and cleverly positioned bunkers. In addition there is an exceptional driving range and a putting green of some 2,500m².
The Oceanico Victoria golf course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship layout, measuring 6609m from the back tees. Opened in 2004, Oceanico Victoria is a unique, unforgettable experience for all who play there, and is a major venue for top international tournaments:
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Host to the Portugal Masters 2007-2010 - Host to the PGA World Cup 2005
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Millennium Golf Course
No. holes 18
PAR 72
Length 6176m
Slope rating 120
Architect Martin Hawtree
This conventional par 72 course opened in the year 2000, although the original back nine was formerly part of the 27-hole Laguna Course. Refurbishment to the existing nine holes commenced in May 1999 and included the complete rebuilding of the tees, greens and bunkers, particularly for holes 8 and 9, the only ones on this loop with water hazards, with the aim to simplify the strategy of the course to make it more golfer-friendly. The renovated 9 holes were joined together with the new 9-hole loop to offer a layout of different character, style and playing quality. The work was undertaken by the well-established UK golf Architects Hawtree & Sons which culminated in the creation of the new, exciting 18-hole Oceanico Millennium golf course.
The course is particularly open, although some holes (the 3rd to the 7th) between pine trees and are similar to the neighbouring fairways of the Oceanico Old Course and Oceanico Pinhal. In this more wooded area, the fairways are narrower and require greater accuracy - while the rest of the course has a clear landscape enriched by lakes at the 4th, 17th and 18th holes. The arrival of the Oceanico Millennium course made Vilamoura one of the main - if not the main - European golf destinations.
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Pinhal Golf Course.
No. holes 18
PAR 72
Length 6353 m
Slope rating 129
Architect Frank Pennink — Remodelled and refurbished by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 1985
This was the second golf course built in Vilamoura and inaugurated in 1976, having originally been designed by Frank Pennink, the architect of the nearby Oceanico Old Course.
Several refinements were incorporated over the years, the most significant one by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1985. The course is typified by rolling parkland terrain covered with numerous umbrella and Atlantic pines that line many of the fairways and a few even stand out on fairways or near greens.
Ponds and a stream come into play on five holes but are not serious threats to above-average golfers. To keep up with modern technical advances in clubs and balls, several holes have recently been lengthened and the par 72 course now measures 6353m off the white tee markers.
The clubhouse was completely renovated and modernised at the turn of the millennium and from the large veranda one can enjoy a panoramic view over the excellent driving range and practice facilities.
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Laguna Golf Course
No. holes 18
PAR 72
Length 6121m
Slope rating 129
Architect Joseph Lee
Laid out over low lying coastal terrain, this course, with its many water hazards and few trees, is considerably different from the other ones in Vilamoura and many of its holes convey a links atmosphere.
U.S. golf architect Joseph Lee designed this course which opened in 1990 and many previous visitors will recognise it as part of the former 27 hole Vilamoura III course. It has been subject to continual improvements over the years.
Measuring 6121m from the white tees, the par 72 course includes several lakes which influence play on a total of 11 holes. In addition to acting as hazards and emergency water reservoirs, these lakes serve a useful purpose in attracting a variety of aquatic birds, both resident and migratory, as well as amphibians, otters and terrapins. Vilamoura's master developers, Lusort, have also established an environmental nature park not far from the course.
Apart from the lakes and an impressive total of 79 bunkers, another hazard is the wind that frequently blows over this somewhat exposed location. The Oceanico Laguna course shares a large, welcoming clubhouse with the neighbouring Oceanico Millennium course.
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Oceanico Faldo Course
No. holes 18
PAR 72
Length 6598 m
Slope rating 138
Architect Nick Faldo
Location Silves
Opened 1st September 2008
Designed by Sir Nick Faldo with strategic play in mind this 6598m par 72 championship course demands careful positioning to score well.
"The land at Amendoeira is dramatic and the project has the potential to be a real talking point in the Algarve. With so many courses in the region, that’s no mean feat," pointed out Nick Faldo, during his visit in 2007.
In a modern twist of a traditional recipe, cacti and wild herbs replace the role of Sunningdale’s heather, spartan Holm oaks and ancient olive trees take the place of a lush English woodland, and desert scrub bunkers of crushed limestone replace Berkshire’s sandy tracts in a golf course that revels in the classic principles of strategic play.
Nick said: "This was a very exciting project, which gave me a great opportunity to exploit my passion for design the same way I exploited my passion for playing. You have incredible views, beautiful undulating land and any time you have natural terrain like this, it is great fun to work with."
"The real skill is that when you stand on the tee, the golf hole tells you what to do and if you do what it tells you there is reward but if you don’t you’re penalised. The back nine is quite hilly, which is fantastic because we’ve got some great views to complement the course."
"I like my courses to be challenging to whoever plays them. There might be easy holes in some places, but they are a challenge because you have to think about them, and that is what I am after. The best compliment you can get in the design business is when players come off the course and say ’wow, that was a challenge,’ and that’s just what I planned at Amendoeira Golf Resort."
Oceanico O'Connor Jnr.
Course Overview
No. holes 18
PAR 72
Length 6708m
Slope rating 137
Architect Christy O´Connor Jnr.
Location Silves
Opened 1st October 2008
Designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr., this course complements the neighbouring Oceanico Faldo Course and also takes full advantage of being situated in a fertile valley. Its various water features, both lakes and watercourses that are spread throughout the entire course, demand accuracy and test from all golfers, and the rich topsoil has been skillfully landscaped and planted with mature palm trees, affording a lush, ornamental setting like an extensive oasis.
This course has tees that are generally connected to the fairways, but its greater overall distance, the water hazards and big greens provide its challenge. Golfers must also be prepared to read the subtly contoured putting surfaces that are strong features.
Holes 7, 8 and 9, average length par 4’s, offer a particular challenge as all three run alongside lakes, so golfers’ concentration and accuracy of tee-shots as well as approaches are vital. 3rd and 17th holes are both excellent par 3’s.
Two consecutive par 4’s, the 14th and 15th with large rolling greens, are tough hurdles to overcome at such a critical stage of the round, and then the finishing hole, 356m off the white tee, requires a precision drive to set up the approach to a two tier green benched into the hillside. Christy's 18th hole brings the course to a fantastic finish, a gentle climb with the river running along the right hand side. 'This hole is a humdinger; once you get up here and look down on the golf course, you will feel you have been blessed.'
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Pictures and Information Kindly provided by Oceanico Golf, Vilamoura
