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Algarve Golf Overview
Algarve golf boasts of over 300 days of sunny weather making it the ideal European golf holiday for you. The coastline has over 25 courses and all within one and a half hours drive from Faro Airport. It is in our opinion one of the premier golf destinations in Europe for a great golf holiday. Below are the courses a short distance from the villa.
Le Meridien Penina
Le Méridien Penina Golf is set within a magnificent 360 acre estate of never ending natural landscape field. A pioneer amongst golf resorts in the Algarve, Le Meridien is the only resort in Portugal to have three golf courses within its 360 acres (145 hectares) grounds where guests can experience and explore: The Sir Henry Cotton 18 hole Championship course and two 9 hole - The Academy Course and the Resort Course.
The Penina (now known as the The Sir Henry Cotton 18 hole Championship course) was the first resort golf course to be built in Portugal. Three times British Open champion, the late Sir Henry Cotton was encouraged to visit and lay out a course over a former rice field. In the process he created his masterpiece and a course which has already hosted ten Portuguese Opens and other prestigious tournaments (namely, The Daily Telegraph Seniors' Match play event (2000/1), the National Finals of the Audi Corp); as well as major International and Charity competitions (such as the Sir Henry Cotton Team Trophy and Sir Henry Cooper & Mike Reid Charity Classic).
Gramacho
After his success designing the Vale de Pinta course, Ronald Fream teamed up with the former world No. 1 Nick Price to create the unique design of Gramacho. With 18 holes and 27 greens, plus numerous different tee points, players are able to enjoy the same course time and time again but always with slightly different challenges.
Having hosted the Portuguese Ladies Open on a number of occasions Pestana Gramacho is recognized as a championship course enjoyable and playable even by those with a higher handicap. Apart from the fantastic golf design, Ronald and Nick managed to incorporate the traditional landscape by utilizing the natural stone outcrops, historical dry stone walling and existing ancient trees with some artfully sculpted lakes and bunkers. The effect is a wonderful journey through the countryside.
Vale da Pinta
The 8 times consecutive host of the European Seniors Tour Qualifying final, Vale de Pinta is rightly respected not just for its playability and challenging layout but for outstanding levels of beauty and enjoyment. Designed by the famous American golf course architect Ronald Fream and inaugurated in 1992 Vale de Pinta has earned its place as one of the best designed courses in Europe.
Imagine the fairways of Bermuda grass, strategically placed sand bunkers, and greens clad in Pen Cross Bent grass. Not to mention ornamental lakes in a rolling terrain dotted with carob, fig, almond and olive trees (including one olive tree over 1200 years old!).
"Casa Azure - Perfect for your time in the Algarve"